US3368461A

US3368461A - Paperboard processing machine

Info

Publication number: US3368461A
Application number: US503566A
Authority: US
Inventors: Grobman William
Original assignee: Langston Co
Current assignee: Langston Co
Priority date: 1965-10-23
Filing date: 1965-10-23
Publication date: 1968-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 1985-02-13

Description

Feb. 13, 1968' w. GRQBMAN I PAPERBOARD PROCESSING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 23, 1965 mvewron v WILL/AM a/waMAA/ ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 13, 1968 w. GROBMAN PAPERBOARD PROCESSING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet :2

Filed Oct. 23, 1965 //V vs r01? W/LL/AM a/weMA/v ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,368,461 PAPERBOARD PROCESSING MACHINE William Grobman, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Langston Company, Camden, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,566 Claims. (CI. 9336) This invention relates to a paperboard processing machine. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a printer-slotter, folder-gl'uer and squaring machine all structurally interrelated in a novel manner whereby the folder-gluer or squaring machine may be operated independently of the printer-slotter machine.

The present invention is an improvement over the apparatus described in copending application Ser. No. 316,495 filed on Oct. 14, 1963, and entitled Glued Flap Box Folding Machine. As disclosed therein, a single drive means is provided for the three machines. The printerslotter prints desired information on the paperboard blanks and provides slots and score-lines on the blanks. The folder-gluer applies glue to a glue flap and folds the blank into the form of a collapsed'box. The squaring machine assures that the side edges are square before the glue has dried.

As described in the above-identified application, the three machines are connected to a single drive motor so that the various sections operate in timed sequence at the same rate of speed. In accordance with the present invention, auxiliary motor means are provided for operating only the squaring machine or operating the squaring machine and the folder-gluer machine. In addition, each of the machines are connected to the main motor in the same manner as described in the above application. When the main motor is shut off, the auxiliary motors may be selectively actuated to operate one or both of the machines other than the printer-slotter.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate problems caused by jam-ups. The main jam-ups are associated with the feeding of blanks to the printer-slotter or the delivery of blanks from the folder-gluer to the squaring machine. If a jam-up of blanks occurs at the feeding section of the printer-slotter, there will be a large number of blanks in process throughout the folder-gluer and squaring machine. The adhesive on these blanks will harden within ten or twelve seconds. Accordingly, any jam-up which requires more than six or eight seconds to correct will result in the blanks in process in the foldergluer and squaring machine being Wasted. This wastage is eliminated by the present invention wherein auxiliary motors are provided for selectively continuing the operation of the folder-gluer machine and/or the squaring machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel structural interrelationship between a printer-slotter machine, a folder-gluer machine, and a squaring machine so that one or both of the latter two machines may continue to operate while the printer-slotter machine is inoperative.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus for printing, slotting, folding, gluing and squaring paperboard blanks in a manner so as to eliminate wastage caused by a jam-up of the blanks at any stage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide motor means for enabling a squaring machine to continue to operate when there is a jam-up of blanks between the squaring machine and a folder-gluer machine.

It is another object of the present invention to provide auxiliary motor means to enable a folder-gluer machine and a squaring machine to continue processing "ice blanks when there is a jam-up of blanks which have not yet been fed to the folder-gluer.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of a printer-slotter machine, a folder-gluer machine, and a squaring machine all operatively interconnected.

FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective view of the mechanisms for transferring rotary motive power from the motor through the printer-slotter machine, folder-gluer machine, and squaring machine.

FIGURE 3 is a portion of a wiring diagram.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a side elevation view of paperboard processing machine 10.

The machine 10 is comprised of three general or major sections, namely the printer-slotter machine designated generally as 12, the folder-gluer machine designated generally as 14, and the squaring machine designated generally as -16. The general nature and function of each of these machines are known to those skilled in the art.

The 'printer-slotter machine 12 includes a feeding section 18, printing sections 29 and 22, and a slitting and scoring section 24. The adjacent end of the folder-gluer 14 includes a multistage rescoring and gluing section 26. In the printer-slotter section 12, paperboard blanks are printed, scored, and slotted with a glue flap along one edge thereof.

In recent years, it has been found that difiiculties with unsatisfactorily erected paperboard boxes can be, to a certain extent, eliminated by providing the rescoring and gluing section 26. In section 26, the score lines are rescored especially along score lines adapted to permit folds. Glue is also applied to the glue flap as the blank passes through section 26. If the joint is to be attained by tape instead of glue, the tape may be applied to the blank in section 26.

A main motor 28 may be operatively coupled to the feed rollers, printer rollers, scoring rollers, etc. of the printer-slotter 12. By a suitable power transfer means, the main powe shaft 36 of the folder-gluer 14 is operatively coupled to the main motor 28. For purposes of illustration, the transfer means is illustrated in FIGURE 2, as including a gear 30 coupled to motor 28 and in meshing engagement with a gear 32 on the outer housing of a clutch 34 connected to one end of the power shaft 36. The other end of shaft 36 is connected to an auxiliary clutch 38 having its outer housing integral with a sprocket 40. Sprocket 40 is coupled to a sprocket 42 on the output of an auxiliary motor 46 by means of a chain 44. Hereinafter, motor 46 may be referred to as a first auxiliary motor. Motor 46 is adapted to rotate the power shaft in the same direction as shaft 36 is rotated by motor 28.

The clutches 34 and 38 may be identical. Each of these clutches are the over-run type wherein power is coupled to the shaft 36 to rotate the same only through the gear 32 or the sprocket 40. Sprocket 40 does not rotate when gear 32 is rotatably driving shaft 36 and vice versa.

The rotary power from either motor 28 or 46 is transmitted from shaft 36 to shaft 48 by way of meshing

bevel gears

50 and 52. Suitable means are known to those skilled in the art for maintaining the meshing engagement of

gears

50 and 52 as the width of the folder-gluer machine 14 is adjusted to accommodate different sizes of paperboard. Shaft 48 is utilized to transmit the rotary power to the end of the folder-gluer machine 14 opposite from power shaft 36 to facilitate driving the upper and lower traction belts which cause the paperboard blanks to move through the machine 14. As the blanks move through the machine 14, they are folded into the form of collapsed boxes with juxtaposed side edges glued together or taped together.

In order to utilize the rotary motion of shaft 48, there is provided a transverse shaft 54 connected to shaft 48 by way of meshing beveled gears 56 and 58. Sprockets 62 and 64 are provided at opposite end portions of shaft 54. Sprocket 62 is coupled to a sprocket 66 on one end portion of a belt drive shaft by way of a chain 70. The sprocket 64 is coupled to a sprocket 68 on the opposite end portion of shaft 60 by way of chain 72.

Belt drive pulleys

74 and 76 are coupled to shaft 60 and are adjustable therealong to accommodate different widths of paperboard. The upper traction belts 78 extend around the

pulleys

74 and 76.

The rotary motion of shaft 60 is coupled to a shaft 80 of a gear box by way of a chain 86 extending around sprocket 82 on shaft 60 and sprocket 84 on shaft 80. Through suitable gearing including gear 88 on shaft 80 meshed with gear 90 on the lower belt drive shaft 92, the lower traction belts 98 are driven in timed relationship with the upper traction belt 78. The belts 98 extend around pulleys 94 and 96 on shaft 92 and are adjustable therealong.

The rotary motion of shaft 80 is coupled to the squaring machine through a clutch 100. The output of clutch 100 includes a gear 102 meshed with gear 104 and shaft '106. Shaft 106 includes a sprocket 108 in meshing engagement with a chain 114. Chain 114 also is in meshing engagement with sprocket on the squaring machine drive shaft 112. An eccentric 116 on shaft 112 engages a follower 118. Follower 118 is coupled to a movable squaring plate 120 of the squaring machine 16. Plate 120 oscillates toward and away from fixed squaring plate while oscillating about a rocker shaft 121.

The end of shaft 112 remote from sprocket 110 is connected through a 90 gear box 122 to the driven roller 124 which extends into an endless belt 126 of a conveyor 128. Folded boxes, either glued or taped, discharged from between the upper and lower traction belts 78 and 98, respectively, are received on the conveyor 128 between the

plates

120 and 130. The plate 120 oscillates toward and away from the plate 130 to assure that the side edges of the folded box are square while a blast of air is discharged downwardly from the air hold-down means 132. The blast of air is directed downwardly onto the upper surfaces of the folded box blanks to prevent the glued or taped joint from springing open until the adhesive has at least partially set. Thereafter, the conveyor 128 conveys folded boxes to a stacker, counter and ejector, or the 1'6.

A second auxiliary motor 134 is provided for driving the squaring machine 16 when the motors 28 and 46 are inoperative. The output of motor 134 is coupled by way of chain 136 to a sprocket 138. Sprocket 138 is on shaft 106 and will drive shaft 112 by way of sprockets 108 and 110 and chain 114. When motor 134 is operating, gears 102 and 104 will rotate but clutch 100 will prevent shaft 80 from rotating. That is, rotation of shaft 80 can be transmitted to gear 102 by way of clutch 100 but not vice versa.

As shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 3, the main motor 28 is coupled across

conductors

146 and 148 in series with the poles on one side of a double throw switch 140. The poles on the other side of the switch 140 are in series with a timer 142. The timer 142 is in series with a switch 144 adapted to connect the timer 142 to either motor 46 or motor 134. It will be noted that motors 4-6 and 134 cannot be operated simultaneously and that neither of these motors can be operative when motor 28 is operating.

Assuming that the machine 10 is operating properly without any jam-up of blanks, the blanks are fed by mechanisms known to those skilled in the art to the printer-slotter machine 12 wherein the blanks are printed and slotted. The blanks may be rescorcd and glued or have tape applied along one edge in section 26 of the folder-gluer 14. While passing through machine 14, the blanks are folded and then delivered to the squaring machine 16 wherein they are squared and transmitted to some other device for stacking or counting. The machines 12, 14 and 16 are operatively driven by motor 28.

If a jam-up occurs at the feeding mechanism for feeding blanks to the feed rolls of section 18, switch 140 is operated to render motor 28 inoperative. Operation of machines 12, 14 and 16 immediately terminates. After a time delay of about two seconds, either motor 46 or 134 will start depending upon the position of switch 144. Switch 144 has a neutral position not shown. As soon as the operator opens switch 140, he will also manipulate switch 144 so as to complete a circuit through motor 146. In this manner, the blanks being processed by machine 14 and being squared by machine 16 will continue to be processed before the adhesive has sufficient time to dry. Hence, the blanks in processing machines 14 and 16 will not constitute rejects.

With motor 46 operating, rotary motion is being transmitted to the power shaft 36 and through shaft 48 to drive the traction belt as well as the squaring machine 16 as described above. At this time,

motors

28 and 134 as well as the printer-slotter machine 12 are inoperative. As soon as the processing of the blanks in machines 14 and 16 has been completed, switch 144 may be manipulated to its neutral position, thereby rendering all of the machines inoperative.

Assuming that the machine 10 is operating properly and then a jam-up occurs between machines 14 and 16, the operator will open switch 140 and thereby render motor 28 inoperative. The operator will then manipulate switch 144 so as to complete a circuit through motor 134. After a short time delay of about two seconds, motor 134 will be operative and will continue to operate the squaring machine 16 as well as the conveyor 128 to continue processing blanks thereon. Since motors 28 and 46 are inoperative at this time, the operators may relieve the jam-up without any danger clue to rotating of the parts. Hence, it will be seen that at least one of the machines 14 and 16 may continue to operate when the main motor is rendered inoperative.

Hereinafter, gear 30, gear 32, clutch 34 and main power shaft 36 may be referred to as a first power transfer means for transferring power from the main motor 28 to the folder-gluer machine 14. Also,

shafts

48, 54, 60, 80, 106 and 112 may be referred to as a second power transfer means for transferring power from the foldergluer machine 14 to the squaring machine 16.

If the flap on the blanks is to be glued, the specific device for applying glue thereto forms no part of the invention. If a glue wheel is used, it will be caused to move away from the blank when motor 28 is inoperative. If a glue gun is used, the gun will move away from the blank. Such movement is required in order not to flood the blank juxtaposed to the glue wheel or gun and may be accomplished after a short time delay subsequent to rendering motor 28 inoperative.

While switch 144 is indicated above as being a manual switch it should be obvious that this switching process can be automatic and that variations can be made in the circuitry of FIGURE 3. It is within the scope of the present invention to initiate operation of motor 134 by means of a jam switch located adjacent the squaring machine 16. Such a jam switch would be actuated by the blanks when a jam occurs between the folder-gluer machine 14 and the squaring machine 16. Also, a similar jam switch may be provided at the feeding section 18 to actuate motor 46 when a jam of blanks occurs thereat. A delay timer would be provided in series with each such jam switch.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms Without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

It is claimed:'

1. Paperboard processing apparatus comprising a printer-slotter machine, a folder-gluer machine, and a squaring machineall operatively interconnected in that sequence to process paperboard blanks to convert the blanks into printed, slotted and collapsed boxes, a single motor operatively coupled to drive each of said machines, and auxiliary motor means for operating at least one of said folder-gluer and squaring machines when said motor is inoperative.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said ,motor is connected to the printer-s'lotter machine, first power means for transferring power from the printerslotter machine to the folder-gluer machine, second power transfer means for transferring power from the fo1dergluer machine to the squaring machine, and said auxiliary motor means being coupled to at least one of said power transfer means.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first power transfer means includes a shaft, said auxiliary motor means including an auxiliary motor connected to said shaft through a clutch, means connecting said shaft to upper and lower belt drives of said folder-gluer machine, and said second power transfer means being coupled to said shaft.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said auxiliary motor means includes an auxiliary motor selectively coupled to a rocker shaft of said squaring machine.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said auxiliary motor means includes an auxiliary motor coupled to a main drive shaft of said squaring machine and a conveyor associated therewith, and circuitry to enable only one of said motors to be operative at any given time.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS BERNARD STICKNEY, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. PAPERBOARD PROCESSING APPARATUS COMPRISING A PRINTER-SLOTTER MACHINE, A FOLDER-GLUER MACHINE, AND A SQUARING MACHINE ALL OPERATIVELY INTERCONNECTED IN THAT SEQUENCE TO PROCESS PAPERBOARD BLANKS TO CONVERT THE BLANKS INTO PRINTED, SLOTTED AND COLLAPSED BOXES A SINGLE MOTOR OPERATIVELY COUPLED TO DRIVE EACH OF SAID MACHINES, AND AUXILIARY MOTOR MEANS FOR OPERATING AT LEAST ONE OF SAID FOLDER-GLUER AND SQUARING MACHINES WHEN SAID MOTOR IS INOPERATIVE.