US3004478A

US3004478A - Apparatus for forming cartons from carton blanks

Info

Publication number: US3004478A
Application number: US838816A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sydney R Phin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-08-17
Filing date: 1959-08-17
Publication date: 1961-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 1978-10-17

Description

Oct. 17, 1961 s. R. PHIN 3,004,478

APPARATUS FOR FORMING CARTONS FROM CARTON BLANKS Filed Aug. 17, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

O Inventor SYDNEY R. PHIN Attorney APPARATUS FOR FORMING CARTONS FROM CARTON BLANKS Filed Aug. 17, 1959 S. R. PHIN Oct. 17, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor SYDNEY R. PH/N FIG. 4.

4/ Atforne y 17, 1951 s. R. PHlN 3,004,478

APPARATUS FOR FORMING CARTONS FROM CARTON BLANKS Filed Aug. 17, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor SYDNEY R. PH/N by: A07 W Attorney United States Patent 3,004,478 APPARATUS FOR FORMING CARTONS FROM CARTON BLANKS Sydney R. Phin, 26 Lipton Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada Filed Aug. 17, 1959, 'Ser. No. 838,816

21 Claims. (Cl. 93-44) This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for forming cartons from carton blanks.

The carton forming apparatus employed in the fabrication of cartons from carton blanks comprises essentially, a support structure surmounted by a table or platform on which a tunnel formation or guideway is erected, the tunnel formation defining a guideway to receive a series of mandrels or carton forms about which a carton blank is adapted to be folded.

While this apparatus can be used with heat scalable carton blanks because of the variable thicknesses and also because-of the non-slip surface characteristics of the heat sealable coatings, in the passage of the mandrel and associated carton blank through the tunnel formation, a drag on the carton is experienced which not only rubs olf the coating but damages the carton walls. It is also an important factor to eliminate cut off where the carton blank has been. Moreover, with heat sealable carton blanks a carton formed on the mandrel has a tendency to adhere to the mandrel surface at the withdrawal station.

alt is also a disadvantage in the art that Where carton blanks are provided with suitable advertising, it frequently may be scraped or rubbed olf throughout passage of the carton blank through the tunnel formation.

The principal object, therefore, of this invention is to provide a carton forming apparatus which will effectively eliminate drag on the partially formed carton as it passes, through the tunnel formation to avoid cut 01f of printed matter. 1

Another very important object of this invention is to provide a carton forming apparatus which will automatically release the formed carton from the mandrel at the delivery station.

The principal feature of this invention resides in providing a mandrel formation comprising a base portion which is adapted to be connected to an endless carrier mechanism, the base presenting an upstanding standard or shank which is contoured to register with the longitudinal slot or guideway in the bottom wall of the tunnel formation, which guides the mandrel therethrough, the shank supporting a form or mandrel'having the'outline of a selected carton to be formed thereon, comprising a central support formationsupporting a front wall at its forward end beyond the base, and a pair of side wall members mounted on ,the central support formation to swing from a position of maximum displacement from the central support formation in which position the mandrel has the outline of the selected carton to be formed thereon, parallelly to a position of minimum displacement from the central support formation which action during the passage of a mandrel and associated folded carton blank through the tunnel formation creates a floating action whereby the cartons, panels and flaps are lightly'held against the surfaces of the tunnel formation avoiding rub off of the heat sealable material and drag on the carton surfaces.

' Another important feature of this invention resides in providing'a mandrel formation as aforesaid wherein the side walls are constructed to present at least one of the edges beyond the front wall when moved into the position of minimum displacement from the central support formation, whereupon at the carton delivery station the surfacesof the mandrel and associated carton can 3,004,478 Patented Oct. 17, 1961 be automatically separated for removal of the carton from the mandrel.

Another important feature of this invention resides in providing an endless belt and pulley apparatus mounted at the carton delivery end of the tunnel formation to contact the surfaces of the formed carton in tight sliding engagement with the speed of the belt being in excess of the rate of travel of the mandrel on its endless carrier, such contact giving rise to resultant forces in the direction of travel of the mandrel whereby the pivotally mounted side walls of the mandrel are displaced forwardly, instantaneously separating the carton walls and mandrel walls and projecting the carton forwardly of the mandrel, the belt seizing the carton and transporting it to a position beyond the path of travel of the mandrel.

Still another important feature of this invention resides in providing a mandrel formation with a spring loaded mechanism which is adapted to urge the pivotally mounted side walls of the mandrel rearwardly at all times, the spring loaded mechanism being adapted to cooperate with a fixed cam member to automatically initiate forward movement of the side walls of the mandrel at the delivery station whereby a finished carton is automatically released.

These and otherobjects and features will become apparent on reading the following specification in con- FIGURE 1; whereas 7 FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a mandrel formation similar to that indicated in FIGURE 3, employing .a cam mechanism for actuating same; whereas FIGURE 6 is a'perspective view of still a difierent embodiment of a mandrel formation constructed in accordance with the invention.

With reference to the sheets of drawings, the carton forming apparatus indicated at 10 in FIGURE 1 comprises a pair of elongated plate members 11 and 12 which are adapted to be supported in spaced horizontal parallel relation on a support structure which has not been illustrated. Mounted between the plate members '11 and 12 is a horizontal tunnel formation 13 comprising vertical side wall members 14 which support upper

elongated bars

15 and 16 in spaced parallel relation,

bars

15 and 16 presenting

inner coplanar surfaces

17 and 18 which define an upper plane of sliding contact for a carton blank, and lower elongated bars 19 and 20 mounted on the support structure which present upper surfaces 21 and 22 to define a lower plane of sliding contact for the carton blank.

Located immediately in front of the mouth 23 of tunnel formation 13 is a vertical channel formation 24, which is adapted to receive a selected planar carton blank for folding, the tunnel formation 13- having associated first

flap folding mechanisms

25 and 26 at opposite sides thereof and in advance of stationary flap folding ears 27 and 28.

'Mounted adjacent to the rearwardend 29 of tunnel formation 13 are a second pair of stationary flap folding ears 30 and 30 while inwardly and mounted in spaced parallel relationto the side wall members 14 are heated plate members 31 and 32 for heating heat scalable coatings on flaps of a carton blank which are adapted to be sealed together.

Upon movement of the mandrels, illustrated by a tion 13 carton blanks disposed in vertical channel 2 4 are adapted to be folded into carton forming relation as will be later described.

The mandrel formation 33, as best seen in FIGURE 3, comprises a base portion 34 and a mandrel or carton form 35, the carton form 35 having the outline .of a selected carton to be formed from a blank of specific dimensions.

The base portion of the mandrel formation comprises a plate 36 having upstanding side walls 37, each side wall 37 having apertured lugs 38 rearwardly, and apertured lugs 39 forwardly for connection by suitable pin formations 40 and 41, respectively, to an endless carrier mechanism designated at 42, which comprises chain elements 43 and 44 mounted in spaced relation to travel over

sprocket formations

45 and 46 as illustrated in FIGURE 2. v

Suitable belt and pulley apparatus designated at 47 in FIGURE .2 and motor means 48 are provided to drive the endless carrier 42 and rotating

flap folding mechanisms

25 and 26.

Upstanding from the base plate 36 of the base portion 34 is a standard or shank 49 comprising a transversely extending triangular plate 50 and a central longitudinally extending plate member 51, the upper portion of the triangular member terminating in a reduced neck 53 which is aligned and adapted to register with the longitudinal slot 54 defined between bar members and 16 of tunnel formation 13.

The mandrel or carton form 35 is mounted uponthe standard or shank 49 and extends outwardly therebeyond the base member 36 towards the mouth 23 of tunnel formation 13. The mandrel or carton form 35 comprises a central support formation or platform 55'having an upstanding central rib formation 56,. platform 55 and rib formation 56 supporting a vertical plate member 57 at the forward end, the plate member 57 having a rectilinear outline corresponding to the panel of a selected carton blank and presenting a substantially planar vertical surface 58 to such carton panel. The platform 55' and rib formation 56 terminate rearwardly in a transversely extending horizontal plate 59 and a 'U-shaped upstanding ridge formation 60 which assists in providing lateral strength.

Mounted on opposite sides of platform 55 and rib formation 56 and in spaced parallel relation to each other are opposite pairs of horizontal lugs 61. Lugs 61 each present vertical pins 62 upon which are mounted pairs of horizontal links 63, links 63 being connected at their outer ends by means of pins 64 to pairs of spaced

lugs

65, 66 which are upstanding from the inner surfaces of a pair of vertically disposed

side wall members

67 and 68, respectively, which present outer planar surfaces 69 and 70, respectively at substantially right angles to the planar surface 58 of front wall member 37 and delineating therewith a form about which a carton blank is to be folded.

Upper edges

71, 72 and 73 of

plates

57, 69 and 70 are adapted to be arranged in coplanar relation and as well,

lower edges

74, 75 and 76 are coplanar to receive and support panels of a carton blank which is adapted to be folded into a right angular relation about the mandrel in a well known manner.

The side wall plates 67 and '68 are free to swing about their associated link connections with the central support formation 55 but movment rearwardly is limited by

seat formations

75 and 76 formed in transverse plate 61, the longitudinal dimension of the

side plates

67 and 68 being such that when the rearward edges 77 and 78- are seated in

seat formations

75 and 76 the.

forward edges

79 and 80, respectively, are located in substantially coplanar

reside wall members

67 and 68 are at a point of maximum separation from the central support formation. 55 in which lation with the front wall surface 58. In this position the anism 42 supporting the' mandrel.

position the mandrel form 35 has a precise outline of a carton to be formed thereon.

Movement forwardly of the

side walls

67 and 68 of mandrel 35 projects the

forward edges

79 and 80 beyond the front wall surface 58 and at the same time decreases the separation between the side wall members and the central support formation 55, the movement of the plates being maintained in parallel relation throughout by virtue of the double link arrangement.

As will be readily appreciated, any component of force applied to the

plates

67 and 68 in the forward direction will displace the side plates forwardly which action is utilized in a carton forming operation.

As the mandrel formation 33 moves toward the tunnel formation 13 a suitable carton blank is adapted to be deposited in the channel formation in position to be engaged by the mandrel form 35, the blank presenting a bottom panel to the front wall surface 58 is folded upon contact with

camming surfaces

17a, 18a and 21a and 22a of the

bars

15, 16, 19 and 20, respectively, to present a panel to the

upper edges

71, 72, 73 and a panel to

lower edges

74, 75 and 76, respectively, of the side and

front walls

67, 68 and 57, respectively.

With such carton blanks disposed in right angled relation about the mandrel 35, associated carton flaps which are adapted to be folded into carton side forming relation. are disposed in mutually perpendicular relation to the side wall surfaces 69 and 70.

Upon movement of the mandrel 35 into the tunnel formation 13, the

flap folding formations

25 and 26 and flap folding ears 27, 28 dispose the carton flaps in substantially coplanar relation in which position the coated flap surfaces are heated by the elongated plates 31 and 32. Because of the frictional forces applied in the direction opposite to the direction of travel of the mandrel formation 33, to the carton flaps, the side wall members 67 and68 are urged rearwardly into seating relation with the

seat formations

75 and 76, respectively, whereby the mandrel outline is maintained. However, any component of force in the forward direction, as for example, when the mandrel and associated carton blank encounter a tight sliding fit will cause the

mandrel side walls

67 and 68 to collapse forwardly, which releases the carton whereby rub oif of the heat sealable coating and damage to the carton itself are avoided. This floating action of the

side walls

67 and 68 serves to ensure uniform high quality in the cartons produced on the apparatus.

Upon emerging from the tunnel formation mandrel 35 and associated carton which is indicated at 81in FIGURE 4 encounter banks of vertical rollers indicated at82 and 83 on opposite sides which press the sealed side flaps indicated at 84 into tight sealing relation. Subsequent movement of the mandrel and associated carton' along the path of travel bring the carton 81 and mandrel 35 to the delivery station at which. point a belt. and pulley. apparatus 85 present a pair of substantially parallel belt surfaces 86 and. 87 to the path of travel of the mandrel formation 33, the separation of the belt surfaces86 and 87 being slightly less than the transverse dimension of the mandrel 35 and associated carton 81 whereby the surfaces 86 and. 87 are brought into sliding contact with the folded flap portions 84 of the carton 81.

The

belts

88 and 89 presenting 86 and 87 are adapted to be driven by suitable driving apparatus at a greater speed: than the speed of the endless carrier mech- The mandrel 35 and associated carton 81 on moving between the belt surfaces 86*and 87 are subjected to a squeezingaction, the side walls 67' and 68 experiencing force in the direction of travel of the belts which simultaneously collapses the wall members forwardly, which releases the carton from the mandrel, and seizes the formed carton 81 therefrom delivering same to a delivery station beyond the mandrel 35.

;Upon movement of the. carton. out of registration with FIGURE 3 and includes a base portion 91 and a mandrel or carton form 92. The mandrel 92 comprises a central support formation 93, rib formation 94, front wall 95 'and

pivotal side walls

96 and 97 respectively.

Extending rearwardly of the central support formation 93 is a lug formation 98 which is formed with a central opening 99 in alignment with an opening 100 through the base plate 101 of base portion 91.

Mounted for rotation in the aligned

openings

99 and 100 is a suitable shaft 102 which is provided with suit- ,

able collars

103 and 104 to maintain the shaft 102 ,against axial displacement.

At the upper end of shaft 102 a calm member 105 is ,rnounted and presents a curved camming surface 106 at :one end thereof and an abutment stop surface 107 at one side to the planar surface 108 of a slidable L-shaped member or plate 109. Plate 109 is slidably supported on the upper coplanar surfaces of the

rearward links

110 and 111 pivotally connecting the

side walls

96 and 97,

respectively, to the central support formation 93, and on :the upper surface of the central rib 94.

Plate 109 is provided with

transverse slots

112 and 113,

respectively, to receive

upstanding pins

114 and 115, respectively, which connect

links

110 and 111 to the apertured lugs 138, 139 of

side walls

96 and 97, respectively.

By virtue of the camming action of the slot and pin I arrangement, movement of the plate 109 forwardly, uni- ;formly urges

pins

114 and 115 forwardly, whereby the

side walls

96 and 97, are displaced parallelly forwardly. .The edges of the plates 109 are spaced from the inner surfaces of the

side walls

96 and 97 to accommodate this forward movement.

Connected between plate 109 and shaft 102 is an extension spring 116 which urges the plate 109 at all times rearwardly to bring surface 108 of member 109 and abutment surface 107 of cam member 105 into engagement.

' l Upon rotation of shaft 102 in a'clockwise direction as 'indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 5, the curved cam- I ming surface 106 progressively urges plate 109 uniformly ,fonwardly against the action of the spring whereby walls L96 and 97 are displaced from their position of maximum displacement parallelly forwardly to a position of mini- 'm11-m displacement as described in connection with the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 3. Upon release of ltheshaft 102, spring 116 returns plate 109 and cam 105 to the position shown in FIGURE 5.

Mounted on shaft 102 below plate 101 of bottom por- '1 tion 91 is a camming foot 117 which is adapted to be displaced in the direction of the arrow indicated in FIG- .URE by a camming projection 118 carried by the carton forming apparatus as best seen in FIGURE 4.

Gaming projection 11 8 is mounted adjacent to the .deliverystationbelow chain conveyor 42 in position to ,.trip camming foot 117 of a mandrel formation 90 mounted thereon, whereby displacement of the side walls v96 and.97 will be automatically accomplished to separate the surfaces of a finished carton and the surfaces of the mandrel 92, initiating and facilitating the with- 'drawal of the carton from the mandrel and additionally,

enhancing apparatus efficiency.

' Also, the travel of mandrel formation: 90 through the tunnel. formation is subjected to the same action as mandrel formation indicated at 33 in FIGURE '3 when it encounters a tight sliding fit, the side walls'experieno ing a floating action to relieve the pressure.

f With reference to FIGURE 6 of the drawings, an-

other embodiment of a mandrel form to be used with the apparatus'10 indicated in FIGURE 1 is shown at 119, the mandrel form comprising a central support formation 120 having an upstanding rib formation 121 which presents a front wall 122 at the forward end.

Side wall members

123 and 124 of mandrel 119 are pivotally mounted at the outer ends of spaced

parallel lever members

125 and 126, respectively, the lever members being arranged to rotate about

central pins

127 and 128, respectively, upstanding from the central rib formation 121, the ends of the

levers

125 and 126 being connected by

pins

129 and 130, respectively, to apertured lugs 131 and 132, respectively, carried by the inner surfaces of the

side wall members

123 and 124, respectively. Extending transversely of the support formation 120 and at the rearward end thereof, is a plate extension 133 which presents

seat formations

134 and 135, respectively, at each side, to the

rearward edges

136 and 137, respectively, of the

side wall members

123 and 124.

According to the embodiment of FIGURE 6, movement in direction of the arrow of plate 123 in response to the application of a component of force in that direction imparts movement rearwardly in the direction of the arrow to plate 124. It will be readily appreciated that where the components of force are balanced the plates are maintained in a position of maximum displacement from the central support formation 120 in position to receive a carton blank to be formed thereon whereas any unbalanced component of force onto the carton walls causes displacement of the

wall members

123 and 124 in opposite directions whereby a position of minimum displacement from the central support formation is achieved, releasing the walls of the carton formed thereon from the surfaces of the mandrel;

Stop or

seat formations

134, 135 limit the rearward movement of

plates

123 and 124, respectively.

Upon utilization of a mandrel formation indicated at 119 and upon travel of the mandrel through the tunnel formation indicated at 13 in FIGURE 1, any resistance to passage therethrough will result in the displacement of ,the wall members as indicated relieving the pressure and obviating carton damage and coating rub off.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described it will be appreciated that modifications and variations may be made in the structure of the apparatus Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a mandrel for carton forming apparatus, a pair of opposing substantially parallel wall members mounted to swing from a rearward position in which said mandrel presents a precise outline for a selected carton to be formed from a carton blank thereon, said wall members .in said latter position having a maximum separation therebetween, to a forward position of minimum separation therebetween whereby a carton to be formed thereon is adapted to be released therefrom.

2. In amandrel for carton forming apparatus, a pair of opposing substantially parallel wall members mounted to swing from a position in which said mandrel presents a precise outline for a selected carton to be formed thereon, parallelly forwardly and inwardly, whereby a carton formed thereon is adapted to be released therefrom.

3. In a mandrel for carton forming apparatus, a pair of opposing. substantially parallel wall members pivotally connected to swing from aligned positions of maximum separation therebetween in which the mandrel presents a precise outline for a selected carton to be formed thereon, to offsetpositions of minimum displacement "therebetween whereby a carton formed thereon is adapted to be released therefrom.

4. A mandrel formation for carton forming apparatus comprising a base, an upstanding shank portion mounted on said base adjacent to one end and presenting a forwardly extending cantilever support formation, a wall member mounted at the outer end of said support formation and presenting a planar surface at substantially right angles to the support formation, a pair of side wall members pivotally connected to said support formation to swing from a rearward position at maximum displacement from said support formation to a forward position of minimum displacement from said support formation, said side wall members presenting outer surfaces at substantially right angles to the front wall surface.

5. A mandrel formation according to claim 4 in which each of said front and side wall members have a rectilinear configuration.

6. A mandrel formation according to claim 4 in which each of said plate members are connected to said support formation by forward and rearward pairs of spaced link members, said link members each pivoting about inner and outer pivot pins having axes parallel to the plane surfaces of said side wall members and stop means are provided for limiting the rearward positions of said ide walls wherein said side walls are disposed in a position of maximum displacement from said support formation, said side Walls being adapted to swing from said latter position parallelly forwardly to a forward position of minimum displacement from said support formation.

7. A mandrel formation according to claim 6 in which releasable biasing means are provided for urging said side wall members rearwardly.

8. A mandrel formation according to claim 6 in which a plate member is mounted to slide between said pivot-a1 side walls, said plate member having aligned slot means formed therein, said rearward outside pivot pins of said link members extending above the upper link surfaces and slidably engaging in said slot means whereby under movement of said plate forwardly, movement is imparted to said pivotal side walls, and spring means biasing said plate rearwardly and cam means for actuating said plate member.

9. A mandrel formation according to claim 8 in which said plate member presents an upstanding camming surface rearwardly thereof, and said cam means comprises a shaft member mounted for rotation on said mandrel formation, said shaft member presenting a cam member to said upstanding camming surface of said plate member, said camming member having a configuration to bear on said camming surface of said plate to displace same forwardly under rotation of said shaft, and spring means connected between said plate member and said shaft.

10. A mandrel formation according to claim 4 in which said side wall members are each pivotally connected to the ends of a pair of spaced parallel lever members supported for pivotal movement on said support formation whereby movement parallelly forwardly of one wall member imparts movement parallelly rearwardly to the other wall member and stop means for limiting the rearward movement of said members.

11. A mandrel formation for a carton forming apparatus comprising a base, an upstanding shank portion mounted on said base adjacent to one end and presenting a forwardly extending cantileversupport formation, a wall member mounted at the outer end of said support formation and presenting a planar surface at right angles to the support formation, a pair of side wall members pivotally connected to said central support formation to swing from a rearward position of maximum displacement from said central support formation to a forward position of minimum displacement from said central support formation, said side wall members presenting outer surfaces at substantially right angles to the front wall surface, and the upper and lower edges respectively, of said front and side wall members being substantially coplanar.

12. A mandrel formation for a carton forming apparatus comprising a base, an upstanding shank portion mounted on said base adjacent to one end and presenting front wall member mounted at the outer end of said support formation and presenting a planar surface at substantially right angles to the support formation, a pair of side wall members pivotally connected to said central support formation to swing from a rearward position of maximum displacement from said central support formation parallelly forwardly to a forward position of minimum displacement from said central support formation, said side wall members presenting outer surfaces at substantially right angles to the front wall surface and the upper'and lower edges respectively of said front and side walls being substantially coplanar, said forward edges of said side wall members lying in the plane of said front wall surface when said side wall members are disposed in a rearward position, with the forward edge and side wall members extending beyond the plane of said front wall surface when said side wall members are moved to the forward position.

13. A mandrel formation for a carton forming apparatus comprising a base, an upstanding shank portion mounted on said base adjacent to one end and presenting a forwardly extending cantilever support formation, a front wall member mounted at the outer end of said support formation and presenting a planar surface at substantially right angles to the support formation, a pair of side wall members pivotally connected to said central support formation to swing from a central aligned position of maximum displacement from said support formation in parallel relation, to an offset position of minimum displacement from said central support formation in parallel relation, said side Wall member presenting outer surfaces at all times at substantially right angles to the front wall surface and the upper and lower edges respectively of said front and sidewalls being substantially coplanar, the forward edges of said side wall members lying substantially in the plane of said front wall surface when said side wall members are disposed in a central aligned position, with the forward edge of one of said side wall members extending beyond the plane of said front wall surface when said side wall members are moved to the offset position.

' 14. A mandrel formation for a carton forming apparatus comprising a base, an upstanding shank portion mounted on said base, a central support formation extending beyond said upstanding shank portion at one side thereof, a front wall mounted at the unsupported end of said central support formation, and presenting a front wall surface substantially perpendicular thereto, and a pair of side wall members each hingedly connected to said central support formation to swing from a rearward position of maximum displacement from said central support formation parallelly forwardly to a forward position of minimum displacement from said central support formation, said side wall members presenting outer surfaces at substantially'right angles to said front wall surface and the upper and lower edges, respectively, of said front and side walls being substantially coplanar.

15. A mandrel formation according to claim 14 in which said central support formation carries stop means for limiting the rearward position of said side walls.

16. A mandrel formation according to claim 14 in which each of said front and side wall members have a rectilinear configuration.

17. A mandrel formation according to claim 14 in which each of said plate members are connected to said central support formation by a pair of spaced link members, and said link members pivoting about axes parallel to the plane surfaces of said side wall members.

18 A mandrel formation according to claim 17 in which releasable spring biased means are provided for urging said side wall members forwardly.

a forwardly extending cantilever sup ort formation, a

19. In carton forming apparatus, a series of mandrels mounted to travel on an endless carrier, each of said mandrel formations comprising a base which is adapted 9 connected to said. endless carrier, an upstanding shank portion mounted on said base adjacent to one end and presenting a forwardly extending cantilever support formation, a wall member mounted at the outer end of said support formation and presenting a planar surface at right angles to the support formation, a pair of side wall members pivotally connected to said central support formation to swing from a rearward position of maximum displacement from said central support formation to a forward position of minimum displacement from said central support formation, said side wall members presenting outer surfaces at substantally right angles to said front wall surface and the upper and lower edges, respectively, of said front and side wall members being substantially coplanar, a tunnel formation arranged along the path of travel of said endless carrier and havIng an internal cross sectional configuration for registering with said mandrels, means for folding a carton blank in carton forming relation about said mandrels, and means arranged beyond the tunnel formation for urging the side walls of said mandrel formation forwardly whereby a carton formed thereon is released therefrom.

20. Carton forming apparatus according to claim 19 in which said means for urging the side walls of said 10 mandrel forwardly comprising a pair of endless belt formations mounted at each side of the path of travel of said mandrels, the belt formations presenting substantially parallel belt surfaces to the path of travel which are adapted to contact the side wall surfaces of a passing mandrel, said endless belts being adapted to be driven along the path of travel, at a velocity in excess of the velocity of said mandrel series.

21. Carton forming apparatus according to claim 19 in which said mandrels each carry a spring loaded means urging said side wall rearwardly and cam means located in the path of said mandrel beyond said tunnel member for actuating said spring loaded means whereby said side walls are automatically displaced forwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,993,605 Jahne Mar. 5, 1935 2,912,907 Walther Nov. 17, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 768,300 France May 14, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,004,478 October 17, 1961 Sydney R. Phin It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the grant, lines 1 to 3, for "Sydney R, Phin, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada," read Sydney R, Phin, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assignor to Package Forming Machinery Company Limited, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, line 12, for "Sydney R Phin, his heirs" read Package Forming Machinery Company Limited, its successors in the heading to the printed specification, lines 4 and 5, for "Sydney R, Phin, 26 Lipton Ave, Toronto, Ontario, Canada" read Sydney R. Phin, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assignor to Package Forming Machinery Company Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada column 7, line 14, for "plate members are" read pair of side wall members is line 60, before "wall" insert front column 8, line 15, for "edge and" read edges of said line 65, for "plate members are" read side wall members is column 9, line 3, before "wall" insert front Signed and sealed this 16th day of October 1962.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents