US3312153A - Methods and machines for forming cartons - Google Patents

Description

April 4, 1967 R. J. HlcKlN `METHODS AND MACHINES FOR FORMING CARTONS Filed May zo, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 4, 1967 R. J. HlcKlN 3,312,153

METHODS AND MACHINES FOR FORMING CARTONE Filed VMay 20, 1964 y 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 HHM/$6 gg Q/ @Z ""wbw Q9 52M V1 y@ l www Y mhh. g gullil.

Apn 4, 1967 R. J. HlcKlN METHODS AND MACHINES FOR FORMING CARTONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 20, 1964 April 4, 197 R. J. HlcKxN 3,3253

METHODS AND MACHINES FOR FORMING CARTONS Filed May 2o, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent Ofilice 3,312,153 Patented Apr. 4, 1967 3,312,153 Mn'rnons AND Maenrnns non FonMiNG cantons `Robcrt J. li-Iickin, Seville, Unio, assigner, by mesne as- This invention pertains to the forming of cartons, more particularly to methods and machines for erecting and closing folding cartons having closure flaps on two nonparallel sides, for instance as in a triangular folding carton.

Triangular folding cartons have proven desirable and found ready acceptance for packaging some commodities. However, these cartons normally include closure flaps forming two nonparallel end walls, and closure and securement of either set of these aps effects erection, or setting-up, of the carton. problems render it undesirable to fabricate such cartons into their erected form prior to being transported to the point of use. Thus, with this type of carton, it is highly desirable that both sets of nonparallel flaps be folded closed and secured at the point of use. Further economic considerations virtually require that these cartons, like folding cartons for most goods, be erected and closed by machine. Accordingly, it is desirable that methods and machines be provided for closing and securing closure flaps along nonparallel end walls of cartons, and particularly to facilitate a closely integrated operation of erecting folding car-tons with closure flaps along nonparallel ends, from appropriate flat blanks, filling the erected Cartons, and folding and securing both sets of ilaps in appropriate sequence.

Packaging of mass produced materials, for instance food products, must proceed at a rapid rate to be economical. A machine for use in a carton filling and closing process must be capable of rapid, high production operation. Accordingly, methods and/or machines meeting the other requirements noted above should facilitate or be capable of rapid, continuous and economical operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide methods and machines meeting the aforementioned requirements.

It is an object of this invention to provide methods and machines for closing and securing flaps along nonparallel ends of folding cartons.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved methods and machines to facilitate rapid and continuous erection and filling of folding cartons having closure flaps forming nonparallel end walls.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved methods and machines for erecting and sealing triangular folding cartons.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved methods and machines for rapidly and economically erecting triangular cartons from unitary flat, foldable blanks, presenting such cartons for convenient filling and thereafter sealing same.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved mandrel for use in carton-forming machines.

It is another object of this invention to provide improvide means for effecting transfer of erected or partially set-up cartons between two conveyor systems.

In carrying out this invention in an illustrative embodiment for forming triangular folding cartons, mandrels are mounted on a conveyor chain and moved along a predetermined path. At one point along such path an appropriate carton blank is erected on each mandrel, with one end of the erected blank carrying appropriate closure llaps extending generally parallel to the path of Shipping costs and storage movement of the respective mandrel. Folding and sealing means cooperate with the mandrels to close and seal such flaps as the mandrels are moved along such path parallel to said one end of the erected blank. The attitude of each mandrel is subsequently altered to orient another open end of the blank generally parallel to its direction of movement. Receptacles designed to receive the thus erected or partially set-up cartons in their reoriented attitude are positioned adjacent the portion of such path wherein the attitude of the mandrel is altered, and means is provided for transferring the partially setup, reoriented carton blanks from said mandrels to said receiving means while said mandrels are in continuous motion along such path. The carton receptacles then carry the partially set-up cartons through appropriate filling and closing stations in their reoriented attitude.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be had to the example illustrated in the drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a partially schematic vertical elevation view of a portion of a machine employing the teachings of this invention;

FIG. la is a schematic view of another portion of the machine of FIG. l, to the right of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a plan vie-w of a dat foldlable carton blank for forming a triangular carton;

FIG. 2a is a front elevation view of the blank of FIG. 2 erected on a mandrel of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2b through 2f illustrated successive steps in the formation of a carton from the blank of FIG. 2, employing the method of this invention, as carried out by a machine in accordance with FIG. 1;

FIG. 2g is a` perspective View of a fully set-up triangular carton formed from the blank of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a mandrel for use in a machine as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a mandrel as in FIG. 3 mounted in a machine as in FIG. l, for instance as taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the mandrel of FIG. 4, taken from the right side as seen in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5a (sheet 1) is a reduced side elevation View of the mandrel of FIG. 4 with the plunger extended as at the transfer position of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partially schematic perspective view of a portion of the blank feeding and erecting mechanism of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a partial view similar to FIG. 6, with a blank in accordance with FIG. 2 in folding position;

FIG. 8 is `a partial perspective view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating a mandrel engaging and folding the carton blank;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of a carton support of the machine in FIG. 1; and

FIG. l0 is an enlarged partially schematic elevation view of a drive means for the machine of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and la, the illustrated machine -comprises generally a first conveyor 12 including a series of mandrels 14; a second conveyor 16 driven in synchronism'with conveyor 12 and including carton supports 18; carton blank feeding apparatus at 7.0; and ap closure and sealing mechanis-ms at 22 (FIG, 1) Iand 24 (FIG. la). Conveyor 12 comprises a cam track 28 and a pair of spaced parallel roller chains 26 (see also FIG. 4) driven by a pair of aligned sprocket wheels at 29 and extending about suitably supported additional sprocket wheels (not shown) to obtain a conveyor chain layout generally as illustrated. Conveyor 16 includes a pair of spaced parallel roller chains 3) (see FIG. 9). Supports 18 are spaced along conveyor 16 at the same intervals `as the intervals bev tween mandrels 14 on conveyor 12, and -a portion of conveyor 16, at 16a, extends adjacent and parallel to a portion of conveyor 12, at 12C.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5a, each mandrel 14 comprises a frame 32 including an extension 34 at onel end, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the upper end, with a pair of opposed stubs 36 thereon extending normal to frame 32. A hearing sleeve 38, spaced from studs 36, extends through the frame 32 at its upper end, parallel to the axis of studs 36. The opposite or lower end of frame 32 includes a detached corner portion 40 secured to one end of a reciprocable slide support comprising a pair of bars 42 which are slidably supported in corresponding grooves 44 extending diagonally of frame 32. Bars 42 are set flush in frame 32, and extend beyond the frame 32 at their upper end. A block 46 is secured between the upper ends of bars 42 to support a cam follower roller 48 and to serve as one abutment for a compression spring 58 confined between block 46 and frame 32. A guide rod (not shown), may extend axially of the spring Si). Spring 50 yieldably retain-s the slide support and hence frame portion 40 in their retracted position, and normally retains them fully retracted as illustrated in FIG. 3, but also permits extension of the supports and slide as in FIG. 5a. A gripper 52 is pivotally mounted on frame 32, as on -a pin 54, and may be provided with a gripping strip 56 of rubber. or other suitable friction material near its distal end. A tension spring 57 is secured to a pin 58 on gripper 52 and .a pin `60 on frame 32 to yielda-bly retain the distal end of gripper 52 in contact with the adjacent edge 32b of frame 32 (see FIG. 5).

Referring particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, each mandrel is pivotally supported on a bar 62 which passes through the' respective sleeve 38 and is suitably secured to the parallel chains 26 at opposite points thereon `as illustrated, A bell crank 64 is also pivotally mounted on bar 62 adjacent each mandrel 14, each bell crank and mandrel being held in position longitudinally of the respective bar 62 by -a pair of stop collars 66. One arm 64a of crank 64 engages pin 58 on gripper 52 and the other arm 64bV carries a cam follower 68 for movement of the gripper in the manner described below.

Studs 36 are engaged in parallel, spaced, opposed channel members 28a and 28h (FIG. 4) which dene endless cam track 28. It will be appreciated that as chains 26 are driven in tandem (counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 1), the mandrels will be moved parallel to the chains and, so long as the spacing between the bars 62 and cam track 28 is equal to the spacing between studs 36 and sleeve 38, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis the mandrels, the mandrels will extend generally perpendicular to the chains, as illustrated along the top portion as well as portions 12a and 12b of conveyor 12 in FIG. 1. Free movement `of the studs along cam track 28 will permit movement of the mandrels around the various curves of the conveyor. Further, changes in the spacing between the bars 62 and cam track 28, within a maximum spacing equal to the actual distance between studs 36 and sleeve 38, will result in tilting of the mandrels about the axes of bars 62, for instance as illustrated along the lower right hand portion of the run of conveyor 12, at 12C, in FIG. l.

' With reference now to FIGS. l, la and 9, each support 18 comprises a body 70 mounted on frame members 72 which, in turn, are provide-d with pins '74a and '7411 engaging blocks 76 and 78 secured to chains 38. Blocks 78 are provided with longitudinal slots 80 for pins 74b (FIGS. 1 and la) to permit relative movement therebetween as the supports 18 pass around curved portions of the run -of conveyor 16. Y

` The particular machine shown in the drawings herein is adapted for forming cartons C (FIGS. 2f and 2g), which define an isosceles right triangle in plan, from blanks B (FIG. 2). Each blank B inclu-des a pair of right triangular side wall panels 82 and 84 integrally joined to an end wall panel86 along scored fold lines, 82a and 84a, respectively.

End flaps 88, 99 and 92 are integrally joined to panels 82, 84 and 86, respectively, along a scored fold Xline 94 extending generally normal to lines 82a and 84a. End tlap 96 is integrally joined to the opposite end of panel 86 along scored fold line 96a, and end closure flaps 98 and 188 are similarly joined to panels 82 and 84, respectively, along the hypotenuse edges thereof An end ap 102 1s integrally joined to the outer end of ap along a scored fold line 102er. Upon being set-up, blank B provides an integral end wall 86 along one leg of the triangle dened by the resulting carton C, with closure flaps 8S, 90, 92 and 182 forming an end wall along the other leg (at right angles to the integral end wall) and flaps 96, 98 and 109 forming a wall along the hypotenuse end, see FIGS. 2er-2e.

For the forming of carton C from blanks B, mandrels 14 are of rectangular design, the lower end 32a being at a right angle to side 32h, and the frames being of a thickness equal to the width of the carton as determined primarily by the width of panel S6. Slide support bars 42 are at an angle of 45 to end 32a.

Operation Referring to FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 8, flat blanks B are stacked in a ma-gazine 104 of feeding apparatus 20 for feeding, one at a time, to a platform 106 by any suitable feed means, such as pivotally mounted arms 168, carry` ing vacuum operated grippers, driven and operated in timed rel-ation to the operation of the machine, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Platform '106 in'-7 cludes a pair of spaced plates 11051 and 1101? (see FIG.v 6) disposed on opposite sides of the path of the mandrels 14 as they descend along the 'vertical :portion 12a of the conveyor run. A pair of plates 112 and 114 (see FIGSt l, 7 4and 8) serve as locating stops for the blanks which are deposited face down on the platform 186 and ppsitioned with the distal edges of flaps 98 and 18@ against; plates 112 and 114, as by a reciprocable pusher 116. The illustrated pusher i116 is driven by suitable means such as tension spring 118 and a cam 128 driven in timed relation with the operation of the remainder of the ma chine, as by a direct positive drive, for instance a roller' chain and sprocket (not shown).

During the movement of each mandrel ralong portion-A 12a of the conveyor run from the position of mandre 14a to the position of mandrel 14h cam follower 68 engages a xed cam 122 (FIG. 8) to open gripper 52. As the mandrel passes between plates 11061 and b edge 32h engages flap 96 and panel 86, and carries the blank downward lbetween the plates as illustrated in FIG. 8, thereby erecting the blank by folding the side panels 82 and 84, with the attached end flaps, around the mandrel as illustrated in FIG. 2a. Simultaneously, 10P lower 68 passes off of cam 122 and `gripper 52 clamps ap 96 against surface 32b to 1retain. the blank -on the mandrel. The blank B is thus erected or partially set-up on the mandrel with fold line 94 contiguous to the edges' of end 32a, and with aps 90, 92 `and 94 projecting be yond the mandrel. As the mandrel passes downward and turns ont-o portion 12b of its horizontal lower run, proceeding to the position of mandrel 14C, smooth guide` `bars at 124 hold the panels 82 and 84 yof the blank against; the respective sides of the mandrel.

j As each mandrel moves along portion 12b of the run of conveyor 12, through the positions of mandrels 14C, 14d and 114e, suitable mechanism 22 is employed to fold and secure flaps 88, 96* and 92. In the illustrated embodirnent la set of opposed, endless presser belts 126 of a known type, driven synchronously with chains 26, retain the panels 82 and 84 in engagement with the mandrel. A fixed finger (not shown) `and plow 128 engage and close fiaps 92 and 88, respectively, see FIG. 2b. Ad hesive is then applied to the lower surface of ap 88, as by a glue wheel 13) and ap 98 is folded closed by plow 132. A pressure `belt 134 presses the flaps 88 and 90 together, Iagainst end 32a, while the adhesive sets, see

FIG. 2c. The mandrel then moves through the position illustrated by mandrel laf and carries the partially set-up carton blank, having one open .end 136, onto the portion 12e of the conveyor run. Through the preceding portions of the conveyor run, the sp-acing of cam track 28 and chains 26 is such that end 32a is `generally parallel to the direction of movement of the mandrels. However, as each mandrel moves along portion 12e, studs 36 move onto and along a portion 3de of the cam track which is spaced a sufficient distance from chain 26, and thus from the path of bars 62, to rotate the mandrels about 45 clockwise (as viewed in FG. l). ri'his places the open carton end 136 generally parallel to portion 12e, see FIG, 2d, and orients slide bars ft2 generally vertical, normal to the conveyor run at 12C, as illustrated by mandrels 14g, 14h and 141'.

Conveyors 12 land 16 run parallel and with the mandrels 14 and supports 1S directly opposite one another through the portions 16a and 12a` of their respective runs. With each mandrel 14 and -a support 18 thus moving parallel and in synchronism, the respective follower 68 engages a fixed :cam 13S to release gripper 52 as the corresponding follower 4S engages a fixed cam 140 to drive body portion 4d, and hence the partially set-up carton blank thereon is driven downward into engagement with the su'bjacent aligned support 18, see FIG. 5a, and see mandrel 14h and the carton blanks shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1. Followers 48 and 68 then clear cams 141? and 13S whereby portion 4d is retracted, and gripper 52 closes, see mandrel 141'. It `has been found that the natural outward bow of the sides of the newly rfolded blanks provides sufficient enga-gement with the sides of bodies 70 to retain the blanks in supports 18 as the `body portions 40 are withdrawn. However, suitable auxiliary blank engaging mechanism may be provided if necessary in specic applications. The support 18, now carrying the partially set-up carton, moves around a curve at 16h :and onto a portion 16o of conveyor 16 which diverges from portion 12C, as the respective mandrel moves around sprocket 29 to the return run portions of conveyor 12. The resultant relative movement readily clears the mandrels out of the cartons, even though the runs 12C and 16a are close together, as illustrated by the fact that portion il remains within the carton after the transfer stroke, and permits transfer of the -cartons with a short stroke of the slide members. Subsequently, the cartons are carried by conveyor 16 along a suitable run, such as illustrated in FIG. la, for appropriate filling and closing operations.

The cartons may be iilled through open ends 136, either by hand or with suitable feed apparatus.

Referring to FG. la, presser mechanism such as plate 1412 may be disposed over the path of supports 18 to insure complete and uniform seating of the partially set-up cartons in bodies 7 tl prior to their being iilled and passed through the closure and sealing mechanism 24. The illustrated plate 142 is supported by arms 144 pivotally connected to pins mounted eccentrically on rotors 1416 driven in synchronism with the movement of conveyor 16.

Mechanism 24 may be any suitable closing apparatus, such as is normally used for folding and sealing the top flaps of conventional folding cartons. By way of example, a chain 166 carries a finger 148 and is driven to fold flap 182 forward as flap 96 engages a xed tinger (not shown) and is folded rearward, whereupon flap 98 engages plow 151) and is folded inward over flaps 96 and 162, see FlG. 2e. Adhesive is applied to the upper surface of flap 98 as by a glue wheel 152. Subsequently flap 160 is turned in by plow 154, and a pressure belt 156 presses iiap 196 downward as the adhesive sets. Side sup1 ports for the cartons, for instance presser belts similar to belts 126, may also be provided with mechanism 24. The filled and sealed, completed cartons are then removed from supports 18 by hand, by being permitted to drop into a suitable receiver as the supports proceed to the re- 6 turn run of the conveyor 16, or by suitable auxiliary apparatus,

Conveyors 12 and 16 are driven with mandrels 14 and supports 18, respectively, moving in synchronism for continuous operation as aforenoted. FIG. 10 illustrates a simple, inexpensive and advantageous means for obtaining a synchronous drive of these conveyors. A motor or other suitable prime mover M drives a shaft 160. A sprocket 162 is driven from shaft 1611*, such as through a gear box 164, to drive chains 3:0 of conveyor 16. Similarly, a sprocket 166 is driven through gear box 168, and is drive connected to sprocket 29 of conveyor 12 through an adjustable drive including a roller chain 170 and a pair of idler sprockets 172 and 174 mounted on a rigid member 176 which is slidably supported in a frame 178 fixed to the machine frame (not shown). Suitable means is provided for selectively adjusting member 176 longitudinally of frame 178, for instance a shaft 180 threadably engaging a portion of frame 178 and pivotally connected to member 176. Chain 170` is of considerably greater length than would be necessary simply to extend around sprockets 29 and 166, this extra length or slack l being taken up by passing the chain over idler 172 on the drive run and over idler 174 on the return run. One of the idlers may be adjustable on member 176 for tightening of chain 170. With both idlers 172 and 174 xed to member 176, shifting of the member 176 in one direction or the other along frame 178 will shift a corresponding portion of the extra length of chain from the drive run to the return run or vice versa. It will be appreciated that this will effect movement of sprocket 29 relative to sprocket 166, thereby advancing or retarding conveyor 12 relative to conveyor 16. Since member 176 may be adjusted with the machine in operation, as by turning a handwheel 162 on shaft 180, it will be appreciated that the arrangement of FIG. 10 permits appropriate adjustments to obtain the required synchronism of -movement between mandrels 14 and supports 18 while the machine is in operation. This permits compensation for wear, slippage or any other cause of slight misalignment of the respective conveyor elements.

The method of forming blanks in accordance with this invention as embodied in the illustrated machine, is believed to be apparent from the foregoing description. However, it comprises generally the steps of erecting a foldable carton blank having flaps for `forming first and second nonparallel end walls of the carton on a mandrel, moving the mandrel and erected blank in a direction generally parallel to such iirst end wall to be formed while closing and securing the flaps of that end. The carton blank is then reoriented and supported for movement in a direction parallel to such second end Wall to be formed, during which movement the carton is filled through such second end, and the flaps of the second end are folded closed and secured. Reorientation of the carton blank is effected by tilting of the carton support mandrel, and the thus reoriented carton is transferred from the mandrel to another support which carries it through the steps of lling and closing of the flaps of the second end wall, with this end oriented generally horizontal, opening upward. The method, in its broader aspects, may of course be practiced with a mechanism other than the disclosed machine, or totally or partially by hand. For instance, the general method may be carried out with intermittent motion conveyors, or by use of other means for supporting the carton blanks. However, its prime application and advantages currently appear to be in continuous movement, high production rate machines of the type illustrated herein.

It will thus be seen that improved methods and machines have been provided for forming folding cartons having closure flaps forming nonparallel end walls. These methods and machines permit the use of conventi-onal flap closing and sealing apparatus, and are well adapted for closing such aps at the point of use, for

instance in an erecting, filling and closing operation. Further, these methods and machines facilitate and/or provide for continuous, rapid operation and thereby are well adapted for high production rate, economical operation. These methods and machines are particularly adapted for efficiently erecting triangular folding cartons from unitary fiat foldable blanks, and presenting such cartons for convenient filling and subsequent closing. Im proved means have also been provided for effecting transfer of erected carton blanks between two conveyors, whereby the cartons may be transferred during continuous movement of these conveyors for rapid, economical, high production rate operations. A new and novel mandrel has also been provided which facilitates erecting, orienting and transferring of carton blanks in carton forming machines.

It will be obvious that other modifications and embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, and not by way of limitation, the configuration of the mandrels, including the angle of the slide members to the lower end, and the angle of tilt of the mandrels, may be varied in accordance with the design of the cartons to be formed. Various ap folding and sealing apparatus and procedures may be employed at the flap closing stations, and various drive arrangements and specific layouts of the conveyor mechanisms may be utilized. It will also be appreciated that the terms end or end walls are used herein in a generic sense to include any side of a carton which may be open during erection of the blank and/or which is closed by foldable flaps.

While a particular embodiment of this invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood of course that the invention is not to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the teachings herein. It is contemplated therefor by the appended claims to cover any such modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A method of forming a carton from an erected blank having folding flaps t-o form two nonparallel end walls, said method comprising moving the erected blank in a direction substantial-ly parallel to one of the nonparallel walls to be formed while fol-ding and secruing the iiaps to form such one wall, and thereafter moving such blank in a direction substantially parallel to the second nonparallel wall to be formed while folding and securing the flaps to form such second wall.

2. A method of forming a carton from a blank having iiaps for forming two nonparallel end walls of such carton, said method comprising erecting such blank and supporting the erected blank with said iiaps extended, moving such blank in a direction substantially parallel to. one of the nonparallel end walls to be formed while folding and `securing the flaps of such end wall, and thereafter moving such bank in a direction substantially parallel to the second nonparallel wall to be formed while folding and securing the flaps of Vsuch second end wall.

3. In a method of forming and filling a carton having closure flaps defining two nonparallel end walls thereof, the steps of erecting a blank for such carton on a mandrel with the iiaps for one of said nonparallel walls extending therefrom, moving such mandrel in a direction substantially parallel to said one end wall to be formed while folding and securing the aps of such end wall, reorienting the resulting carton blank relative to its direction of movement and thereafter moving such carton blank in a direction substantially parallel to the second nonparallel wall to be formed, with the Vflaps of such second end wall open, while lling such resulting carton blank, and folding and securing the flaps of such second end wall while moving such carton blank in a direction substantially parallel thereto.

4. In a machine for forming cartons having closure flaps, a iirst carton blank carrying member movable along a predetermined path, means cooperating with said member for folding and securing closure iiaps of a cart-on blank carried on said member as said member is moved along such path, means for changing the attitude of said member and a blank thereon relative to the direction of movement of said member while travelling along a portion of said path, means for ejecting a carton blank from said first member while in its changed attitude, and a second carton blank carrying member for receiving and retaining an ejected blank in its changed attitude.

5. In a machine as in claim 4, said secon-d member being movable along a second predetermined path, and means adjacent said second predetermined path for folding an securing closure iiaps of a blank carried yon said second member. j

6. In a machine for forming cartons as in claim 4, and wherein said means for ejecting the carton blank includes a reciprocable element on said iirst carton blank carrying member, means for normally retaining said reciprocable element ina retracted position, and means adjacent said portion of such path to reciprocate said element whereby said element serves as a plunger to transfer the carton blank from said first member to said second member.

7. In a machine for forming cartons having closure aps, a first carton blank carrying member movable along a predetermined path, -rneans cooperating with said member for folding and securing closure flaps of .a carton blank carried on said member as sai-d member is moved along such path, ymeans for changing the attitude iof said member and a blank thereon relative to the direction of movement of said member while travelling `along a portion of said path, carton blank carrying means movable parallel to and in synchronism with said member as said member is moved along said portion of such path, and means for transfer` ring a carton blank from said member to said carrying means in such changed attitude as said carrying means is moved parallel to and in synchronism with said member, said carrying means being adapted to retain a carton blank in such changed attitude.

3. In a machine adapted for forming triangular cartons from blanks therefor having closure flaps for forming an end wall of such carton, a mandrel, means for moving said mandrel along a predetermined path, means cooperating with said mandrel for erecting a carton blank thereon with an end of such erected carton blank carrying closure flaps `oriented substantially parallel to the path of movement of said mandrel, means cooperating with said mandrel for folding and securing such closure flaps to form .an end wall as said mandrel is moved along said path, means for changing the attitude of said mandrel and an erected carton blank thereon during its travel along a portion of such path whereby a secon-d end lof such erected blank is oriented substantially parallel to the direction of movement of said mandrel, means for ejecting an erected blank from said mandrel in such changed attitude, and means adjacent said portion of such path to receive and retain such an ejected carton blank in its changed attitude.

9. In a machine as in claim 8, said means for ejecting an erected blank including a plunger element supported on said mandrel for reciprocation generally normal to said portion of such path when said mandrel is in such changed attitude, and means for reciprocating said piunger element to transfer such erected blanks from said mandrel to said receiving and retaining means.

It). A machine adapted for forming ca rtons from foldable blanks presenting two open ends of such carton angularly disposed relative to one `another when erected, said machine comprising a plurality of mandrels, means for moving said mandrels along a predetermined path, means cooperating with said mandrels for erecting such blanks on said mandrels with a iirst of such open ends oriente-d generally parallel to the path of movement of said mandrels and the second of such open ends oriented at an angle receive and retain erected carton blanks in such changed attitude.

11. A machine as in claim 10 and wherein said means for receiving Iand retaining said cartons is movable in synchronism with said mandrels Iand carries such erected blanks to lling and closing stations in such changed attitude.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,094,455A 9/1937 Lange 9354.2 2,159,285 5/1939 Minkow 93--54.2 2,561,541 7/1951 Stake 93-44 BERNARD STICKNEY, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 4. IN A MACHINE FOR FORMING CARTONS HAVING CLOSURE FLAPS, A FIRST CARTON BLANK CARRYING MEMBER MOVABLE ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH, MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID MEMBER FOR FOLDING AND SECURING CLOSURE FLAPS OF A CARTON BLANK CARRIED ON SAID MEMBER AS SAID MEMBER IS MOVED ALONG SUCH PATH, MEANS FOR CHANGING THE ATTITUDE OF SAID MEMBER AND A BLANK THEREON RELATIVE TO THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBER WHILE TRAVELLING ALONG A PORTION OF SAID PATH, MEANS FOR EJECTING A CARTON BLANK FROM SAID FIRST MEMBER WHILE IN ITS CHANGED ATTITUDE, AND A SECOND CARTON BLANK CARRYING MEMBER FOR RECEIVING AND RETAINING AN EJECTED BLANK IN ITS CHANGED ATTITUDE.

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