US3424069A - Apparatus and method for forming cycindrical containers - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 28, 1969 w. GEISLER A 3,424,069

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS Filed May 4, 1967 Sheet 4 of4 INVENTOR WILLIAM GEISLER 9 ATTORNEYS Jan. 28, 1969 .w, GEISLER 3,424,069

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS Filed May 4, 1967 Sheet 2 of 4 INVENTOR. WILLIAM 7GEISLER w g z ATTQRNEYS Jan. 28, 1969 w. GEISLER 3,424,069

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS FiiedMay l, 1967 Sheet 3 of4 INVENIOR, WILLIAM eErsLR FlG 9 BY ug 7M,

ATTORNEYS Jan. 28, 1969 w. GEISLER 3,424,069

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING- CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS Filed Ma '4, 1967 Sheet 4 of 4 POWER I T SUPPLY S2 INVENTOR: WILLIAM GEISLER ATTORNEIS United States Patent 4 Claims Int. Cl. B31c 1/06; B31b /02 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Flattened, tubular container blanks are stacked ina magazine and individually fed into a cylindrical forming chamber by a reciprocal blade member. Suction cups grasp opposed panels of the blank to partially open same in the chamber. A plunger then pushes the blank onto a cylindrical mandrel after the suction cups have been released therefrom.

Cross-reference to related applications The apparatus and method herein disclosed are particularly adapted for forming cylindrical containers out of the type of container blanks disclosed in applicants copending U.S. application Ser. No. 548,123, filed May 6, 1966.

Background of the invention The highly competitive art of packaging ice cream and like commodities dictates the need for an apparatus and method whereby a container blank may be expeditiously formed at a minimal expense. Unique packaging problems are presented with respect to the packaging of such commodities in a cylindrically shaped container. In particular, the containers are generally shipped to the packaging plant in a flattened, tubular condition and must be thereafter expeditiously formed into a cylinder and filled.

A conventional apparatus for making such cylindrical containers is disclosed in applicants U.S. Patent No. 3,103,857. Apparatus of this type are sometimes unreliable in that slight misalignment of the tubular blank in a forming chamber thereof will oftentimes cause the panels of the blank to bend in the same direction rather than spread apart to an open position. Thus, steady flow of finished containers is interrupted, resulting in undesirable machine shutdown time and the like.

Summary of the invention 'Ilhis invention provides for the expeditious and economical formation of tubular containers out of a stack of flattened blanks. In the preferredapparatus embodiment, the blanks are individually fed into a cylindrically shaped forming chamber and grasped on opposite sides thereof, preferably by suction cups. Such an arrangement insures that the blank will open in a precise manner prior to its discharge onto a cylindrically shaped mandrel. The suction cups are preferably reciprocally mounted in the apparatus so that they may be moved selectively away from or towards each other to perform the above-mentioned blank opening function. Cam means are preferably arnanged to separate the cups from each other whereas spring means are employed to urge the cups towards each other.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating the preferred apparatus embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus taken in the direction of arrows 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrows 3-3 Patented Jan. 28, 1969 in FIG. 1, particularly illustrating a suction cup arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view taken in the direction of arrows 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 1, but disclosing the apparatus in a different mode of operation;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 taken in the direction of arrows 66 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 4, schematically and progressively illustrating a series of cam follower arrangements;

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a control circuit which may be employed in the apparatus of this invention; and

FIG. 9 is a series of schematic views illustrating preferred steps for carrying forth the method of this invention.

Description of the preferred apparatus embodiment Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred apparatus embodiment of this invention comprises a conventional container magazine 10 arranged to retain a stack of fiattened, tubular container blanks C therein. Each container is adapted to be fed laterally, relative to the longitudinal axis of the magazine, and positioned in a cylindricallyshaped chamber defined by a housing 11. In the magazine, the blanks are pressed forwardly in a conventional manner (by suitably arranged 'weight means or the like, not shown) against a front Wall 12 thereof to facilitate such progressive feeding function. In particular, the forward-most blank abutting such wall may be moved leftwardly, through a slot 13 formed through a side wall portion of housing 11, by feeding means, preferably in the form of a reciprocal blade 14. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the blade and slot are substantially aligned to achieve this function.

An actuating means, comprising pneumatic or hydraulic ram 15 having a reciprocal rod 16, is operatively associated with blade 14 to reciprocate the blade in the above described manner. In particular, the piston rod is attached to a bracket 17, the bracket in turn being detach- Iably secured to a reciprocal rod 18. Brackets 19 and 20 are detachably secured to rod 18 and are slidably mounted on stationary rods 21 and 22, secured to upstanding stationary brackets 23 and 24. Blade 14 is attached to free ends of brackets 19 and 20 by suitable securing means such as bolts or the like. From the above description, it can be seen that leftward movement of piston rod 16 will function to move bracket 17, rod 18, brackets 19 and 20 and blade 14 in a like direction.

Reciprocal rod 18 has collars 25 and 26- (FIG. 2) adjustably mounted and arranged thereon for simultaneously actuating a suction cup arangement in response to reciprocation of piston rod 16 of the actuating means. The vacuum cup arangement comprises a base 27, slidably mounted on rods 18, 28, and 29; rods 28 and 29 being secured between stationary brackets 24 and 30. Bracket 30 has an aperture or slot 31 formed therein to permit the left end of rod 18 and collar 26 to move therethrough in applications wherein the rod travels to that extent. Bracket 30 further comprises an upstanding portion having a first cam plate 32 detachably secured thereto which terminates in a tapered free edge portion 33 positioned adjacent to and above housing 11.

Referring once again to the vacuum cup arrangement in FIGS. 2 and 3, base 27 has an upstanding plate 34 secured thereto and preferably arranged to carry a conventional clamping arrangement 35 thereon. The clamping arrangement secures a shaft or rod 36 thereto, arranged to reciprocably mount vacuum cup holding brackets 37 and 38 thereon. Collars 39 and 40 are releasably attached to the rod and function to permit springs 41 and 42, re-

spectively, to bias brackets 37 and 38 towards each other under predetermined forces.

Opening means, preferably conventional vacuum cups 43 and 44, are attached to the respective brackets for purposes of grasping and separating container panel portions arranged therebetween during the container forming operation. The vacuum cups may each comprise a flexible rubber cup arranged to form a closed chamber therein adapted to be subjected to a vacuum, i.e., a pressure substantially below 14.7 p.s.i., by means of flexible conduits 45 and 46 of a vacuum source (not shown). It should be understood that such opening means could constitute other forms, such as pivoted finger-like elements suitably arranged to force opposite panel portions of blank C apart at top edges thereof. Also such opening means could constitute a thin blade arranged to be inserted between the opposed panel portions and rotated to spread them apart.

Bracket members 37 and 38 also have cam followers or rollers 47 and 48, respectively, rotatably mounted thereon. As clearly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7, the cam rollers are normally arranged to engage opposite and substantially parallel edges of a second cam plate 49. The cam plate substantially lies in the same plane as first cam plate 32 and terminates in a tapered free edge portion 50 having opposite edges arranged to converge towards the first cam plate. Thus, it can be seen that when rods 16 and 18 are moved leftwardly in FIGS. 1 and 2, that collar 25 will engage base 27 to move the suction cup arrangement leftwardly. When rollers 47 and 48 ride off the parallel edges of cam plate 49, and onto the tapered edges thereof (FIG. 7), cups 43 and 44 will move towards each other under the influence of springs 41 and 42, respectively. Thus, container C will be grasped at opposed panel portions thereof whereafter continued movement of rollers 47 and 48 onto tapered portion 33 of cam plate 32 will function to move the cups apart to open the container.

As will be hereinafter more fully explained, a pneumatic or hydraulic ram 51 will then function to extend a piston rod 52 thereof to move a cylindrically-shaped pressure plate 53 against the top edge of the container. Full extension of rod 52 will function to move the partially formed container out of the housing 11 and onto an aligned mandrel 54. As more clearly illustrated in FIG. 4, the pressure plate has a slot 55 formed therein, arranged to permit the pressure plate to move past cam plate 32 in the above-described manner.

Applicants above-mentioned US. Patent No. 3,103,857 may be referred to for its disclosure of the specific constructions and arrangements of corresponding structures. It should be noted, for example, that the preferred apparatus embodiment may be modified to initially open blank C by a reaction member such as assist plug 205 of the appartus disclosed in the above patent, i.e., the suction cup arrangement would not be used. Such modification could be made when the suction cup arrangement is removed from the machine for repair or like purposes. Thus, it will be seen that it is not necessary to employ the above-describe preferred apparatus embodiment of this invention to carry out the hereinafter described method, i.e., the apparatus may be used for other purposes.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a control circuit which may be employed in the above-described apparatus. When piston rod 52 of ram 51 is retracted to its FIGS. 2 and 8 position, a switch S is mechanically closed. The apparatus is placed in operation by closing a switch S either manually or preferably by means of a conventional timing cam (not shown). The power supply thereby activates a solenoid actuated valve V which is suitably arranged in the manner shown to extend piston rod 16 of double-acting ram 15.

Extension or rod 16 will move blade 14 to feed a container blank in the above-described manner. Upon a predetermined extension or rod 16, a switch S will close whereafter the above mentioned timing cam will close a switch S Thus, a second solenoid actuated valve V is activated by the power supply to extend rod and pressure plate 53 of double-acting ram 51 to push the blank onto mandrel 54 (FIG. 2). Upon full extension of rod 52, a switch S closes to activate valve V to return ram 51 to its FIG. 8 position and to again close switch S The timing cam will then close a switch S to retract ram 15 to its FIG. 8 position to ready the apparatus for another operation.

It should be understood that the above, briefly described constructions and arrangements would be somewhat more sophisticated in actual application. For example, the switches could be spring-loaded to return them to an open position subsequent to a closing thereof. The fluid input to the valves could comprise air or other suitable hydraulic fluid.

Description of the preferred method FIG. 9 illustrates a preferred method for forming container blank C into a cylinder or other tubular structure. Although the method is preferably carried out on the type of apparatus described above, it should be understood that such method could be practiced by other types of apparatus or even by suitable hand tools.

The first step of such method comprises retaining a plurality of the folded and flattened blanks C in stacked relationship in magazine 10, for example. The preferred method is carried forth by progressively feeding a forward-most blank laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the stacked blanks and grasping opposite sides thereof to open the blank by moving the sides away from each other. The feeding step is preferably effected by applying a first force against a first, rearward edge of the blank.

The step of applying forces to the blank on opposite sides thereof to open the blank preferably comprises the step of applying a vacuum to such opposite sides to grasp them by vacuum cups 43 and 44. It should be understood that such application of forces could be effected alternatively by pivoted finger-like elements, for example, suitably arranged to grasp the opposite sides of the blank adjacent top edges thereof. Also, the above-mentioned twisting knife insert could also be utilized to apply the opening forces to opposite sides of the blank. In addition, the opening step preferably occurs when a second, forward edge of the blank is fed more than half-way out of the carton magazine.

It can be seen that the second, forward edge of the blank engages a wall portion of housing 11 for applying a second force against such edge to oppose the above mentioned first force applied to the blanks first edge by blade 14. Thus, such an arrangement aids vacuum cups 43 and 44 in the blank opening function. Thereafter, rod 52 and pressure plate 53 are arranged for pushing the blank onto mandrel 54 for forming the blank in conformance with the mandrels configuration. Although the blank is preferably formed into a cylinder, it should be understood that the mandrel could be shaped otherwise. For example, the mandrel could comprise a square or hexagonal crosssection to impart a like shape to the blank.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for forming cylindrical containers comprising:

a carton magazine arranged to retain a stack of fiattened, tubular blanks therein,

a housing arranged adjacent to said magazine forming a cylindrical chamber therein and a slot formed through a side wall portion thereof arranged to receive one of said blanks therethrough,

feeding means arranged adjacent to said magazine for selectively feeding a blank through said slot and into said chamber, and

opening means arranged adjacent to said housing to open said blank when it is moved into said chamber by said feeding means, said opening means comprising first and second spaced cam plates substantially 5 6 lying in the same plane and mounted adjacent to said means arranged above said chamber for pushing a housing and opposed vacuum cup means movably blank out of said chamber and onto said mandrel.

mounted in said apparatus to engage said first and then said second cam means to sequentially move to- References Cited Wards and then away from each other to grasp and 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS then spread opposite sides of a blank apart. 2 780 148 2/1957 Pearson 2. The invention Of claim 1 further comprising act al- 2 993 314 Haveman}; ing means operatively associated with said feeding means 3103857 9/1963 Geislel. and opening means for feeding a blank substantially with- 3:242:827 3/1966 Winters 93 53 n the confines of saldcharnber prlor to when sald open- 10 3,293,998 12/1966 Fame, 93 53 lng means opens such blank.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said feeding means FOREIGN PATENTS comprises a blade reciprocally mounted in said appa- 1,124,799 3/ 1962 Germany.

ratus and arranged in substantial alignment with respect to the slot formed in said housing. 15 WAYNE A. MORSE, JR., Pnmary Examiner.

4. The invention of claim 1 further comprising: US, Cl. X.R, a mandrel arranged below said chamber and 9339.1, 53, 94

Images