US3537361A - Machine for forming upright,rectangular cartons - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventors Edward J. Derderian,

4515 N. Wilson Ave., Fresno, Calif. 93704, and William L. Bridger, Fowler, California [21] Appl. No. 696,263 [22] Filed Jan. 8, 1968 [45] Patented Nov. 3, 1970 [73] Assignee Said Bridger assignor to said Derderian [54] MACHINE FOR FORMING UPRIGHT,

RECTANGULAR CARTONS 9 Claims, 20 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 93/53, 53/186, 93/36.01, 271/62 [51] Int. Cl. B31b 1/76 [50] Field of Search ..93/53, 53m, 53or; 53/186; 271/62 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,285,606 11/1966 Johnson et al. 271/62 3,298,288 1/1967 Anderson et al 93/53 Primary Examiner- Bernard Stickney Attorneyl luebner and Worrel ABSTRACT: A machine for forming upright, rectangular cartons having vertically extended flaps from knocked-down or flattened forms thereof including a magazine supporting the forms in generally vertical positions and feeding them generally horizontally to a ready position from which they are withdrawn or plucked by a picker having suction means, and opened and substantially squared in the process, the bottom flaps being folded in and closed, the top flaps being unfolded and opened to present the container in condition ready to receive articles, particularly characterized by a magazine which includes endless chains driven by ratchet means and intermittently actuated by an air ram controlled by a switch influenced by the position of the leading container form in the magazine and devices for exerting drag on the container forms as they are withdrawn from the magazine by the picker for opening and substantially squaring the container forms.

Patented Nbv. 3, 1970 Sheet of 13 I 7 m Y .W

"EDWARD J. Dakota/AN WILLIAM L.- BRIDGE]? YINVA'NTORS A TTORNE'VS Patented 'Nov. 3, i970 Sheet 3 r 13 N S v mmm rm v 01. mm J r -ymwmm m A TTOIPNEYS Pateritd Nov. 3, 1970 I I 5373 Sheet 1- of 1 WILLIAM L. BRIDGER INVENTQRS awn b J, osnotnmn ATTORNEYS Patented vNov. 3, 1970 Sheet g of J. DERDERIAN WILLIAM L. unmask g g Q QQ gm wk LW 4 mm mmbm 3% nrromgrs.

Patented Nov. 3, 1970 Sheet 9 or 15 M 11 .LIWLTF m li w $m 3W we 3M m,

EDWARD, J. DERDER/AN. WILL/AM 1. an/0am mun/700s A7TORNEYS Patented Nov. 3, 1970 Sheet EDWARD J. DRDRIAN WILLIAM L. ale/0am INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Pat entecl Nov. 3, 1970 Sheet com won EDWARD J. asnosnmv WILLIAM L. BRIDGER INl/E' N 7095 ATTORNEYS MACHINE FOR FORMING UPRIGIIT, RECTANGULAR CARTONS In a form of the machine which telescopically assembles box and liner portions of a container, the portions, each with flaps on one end only, are disposed generally vertically in separate magazines with the flaps extending toward each other, and are fed in the same manner as in the magazine of the machine previously described. There is an air ram operated picker for each container portion and drag means cooperating therewith which assist in opening and substantially squaring of the portion as it is withdrawn. The box portion picker places the opened box portion in the entering end of opposing flight chains of a flight section in alignment with a liner portion pusher. The liner portion picker places the liner portion in front of a pusher in alignment with the box portion. The pusher is operated by an air ram and pushes the liner portion, with the flaps thereof leading the sides, and telescopes it into the box portion, after which the box portion end flaps are tucked in by air rams and glued, and the side flaps are closed and pressed by air ram operated devices to present a container closed at one end and open at the other for reception of articles.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to machines for forming containers, from knocked-down, that is, flattened forms of the same which are erected, or opened and squared, the bottom flaps being tucked in to form a container for receiving articles and, more particularly, to container forming machines with a magazine feed in which a supply of flattened forms of the container are disposed in upright positions and are opened and substantially squared as they are withdrawn from the supply thereof. It is to be understood that the term container hereinafter employed particularly serves to designate containers frequently called cartons which are formed from articulated, knocked-down blanks.

One form of the type of container forming machine referred to is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.-2,968,226 in which a supply of flattened orknocked-down forms of the container are supported in upright positions to be picked off one at a time by feeding dogs on a traveling endless chain and fed to an erecting station in the machine, the erecting station including wedges adapted to enter between the flaps of the flattened container, and an impeding lever which engages the leading corner of the container, all in a manner serving to open and square the container for erecting the same.

SUMMARY OFYINVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a container forming machine of simpler construction in which flattened or knocked-down forms of the container are fed from a supply thereof and are automatically opened and substantially squared in a reliable and rapid manner'as they are withdrawn from the supply.

Another object is to provide a magazine for a container forming machine which is operated in intermittent stop-and-. go fashion in order that proper pressure is maintained on the flattened container form for optimum opening and squaring of the container.

A further object is to provide a magazine for a container forming machine in which a supply of flattened forms of the container are supported in upright positions, the leading one of said forms being withdrawn from said supply and sufficiently retained during withdrawal for opening and substantially squaring the container form.

Still another object is to provide a container forming machine in which a plurality of magazines serveto supply container portions in flattened upright form which are withdrawn or plucked therefrom for opening and squaring and later assembling of the portions.

A still further object is to provide a container forming machine in which telescoping container portions are separately supplied and later assembled to form an article receiving container.

An additional object is to provide a container forming machine in which certain flaps of the container are bent along fold lines and the bent positions thereof are set so that the flaps do not spring back from their bent positions.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by the present invention which includes a container forming machine featuring a magazine supporting an adequate number of the containers in flattened or knocked-down form disposed generally vertically in side-by-side relationship and advanced horizontally by a pivoted plate operatively engaged with a conveyor, the conveyor being driven in intermittent stop-andgo fashion by a ratchet mechanism operated by an air ram for maintaining the leading flattened form against retaining means with a predetermined amount of pressure for optimum opening and substantially squaring of the container by suction means which pluck the leading form. The machine further operates to tuck in and set certain end flaps of the container and present the container to a packet closed at one end and open at the other for the receipt of articles. In a more sophisticated form of the machine, the container is assembled from a pair of container portions telescopically related and frictionally held together, the portions being supplied in flattened form by a pair of magazines and plucked therefrom for opening and substantially squaring each portion and later assembly thereof by air ram operated devices and endless flight chains, all in a coordinated, reliable and rapid manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary top plan view of one embodiment of container forming machine in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the machine of FIG. I, with parts omitted or in section.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken generally along line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical section taken generally along line 5-5 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a transverse vertical section taken generally along line 6-6 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken generally along line 7-7 in FIG. 1 showing the pivotal mounting of the pusher plate of the magazine feed.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the ratchet mechanism for driving the magazine horizontal feed.

FIG. 8a is a diagram schematically illustrating the operation of the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 illustrates the disposition of the container in its flattened or knocked-down form in the magazine and the erecting or opening and squaring thereof.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the apparatus for folding the bottom side flaps of the container.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another formof container forming machine which assembles telescoping portions of a container and employs dualmagazine feeds.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary horizontalseetion, on a larger scale, of the machine of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally along line 13-13 ofFIG. l2.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally along line 14-14 ofFIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally along line 15-15 of FIG. I2 illustrating the dispositions of the telescoping portions of the container in their respective magazines. 7

FIG. 16 illustrates the opening and squaring of the telescoping portions of the container from theknocked-down forms thereof.

FIG. I7 is a fragmentary elevational view of the arm which completes squaring of the box or outer portion of the container.

3 FIG. 18 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally along line 18-18 of FIG. 12 illustrating the action of the box flap openers.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally along line 19-19 of FIG. 12 illustrating the action of the box flap closers.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Single Magazine Machine Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, there is illustrated one embodiment of a container forming machine in accordance with the principles of the present invention which is designated generally by reference numeral 20 and consists, in essence, of a magazine section 22 supporting a plurality of containers 24 in knocked-down or flattened form which are withdrawn or plucked therefrom by a picker section 26 and aligned with a container flight section 28, the container form being opened and substantially squared in the process, after which the opened container form is advanced into the flight section 28 by operation ol'a pusher section 30 for movement through the machine during which the bottom llups of the container form are tucked in and the top flaps thereof are unfolded to open position for receipt of articles into the formed container, as will later be made more clear. The various sections are suitably supported in a framework 38 of the machine.

Each section will be described in greater detail with the cooperative relationship therebetween being brought out more fully in a description of the overall operation of the machine. As will later appear, a number of air rams are employed which, in general, are of the relay-controlled, solenoidvalve operated type well known and widely used in the art. Showings of such relays and valves are considered unnecessary for an understanding of the present invention and hence are not shown. However, their cooperative presence is to be understood in the description of the operation of the air rams in response to the actuation of switches associated therewith.

The magazine section 22 includes a pair of longitudinally extending parallel rails 32 which are of angular form and support the upper runs of a pair of endless chains 34. Associated with the rails and endless chains is a pair of support members 36 of elongated form disposed intermediate the rails 32 and parallel thereto at about the level of the upper runs of the endless chains 34. The angular rails 32 are suitably supported on framework 38, support members 36 being suitably supported by the rails 32. Also mounted on the framework 38 is a rodlike member 40 disposed parallel to the rails 32. Surrounding the member 40 is a sleeve 42 for pivotally mounting a pusher or backup plate 44 which is fixed to the sleeve and has a manipulating handle 46.

As shown in FIG. 7, attached to the lower edge of plate 44 is a pair of spaced apart elements 48, each having a depending projection 48d adapted to engage with one of the endless chains 34, respectively, for movement of the plate thereby.

The endless chains 34 are adapted to be driven or advanced by a ratchet mechanism 50 shown in FIG. 8 and later described in greater detail.

Thus, the containers 24, in flattened or knocked-down form, are supported in magazine section 22 in an upright or generally vertical position, the lower edges of the containers resting on the chains 34 and the support members 36, the plate 44 engaging the back of the last container form in the magazine and urging the whole supply thereof forwardly with advancement of the chains 34, the extent of such advancement being controlled by engagement of theleading container form 24 with a microswitch 52 at the forward end of the magazine section 22, as shown in FIG. 3.

Disposed adjacent the forward end of the magazine section 22 is an upright support in the form of a rod 54 on which are pivotally mounted vertically spaced apart retaining devices or holding fingers 56 urged into holding engagement with one vertical edge of the leading container form 24 by biasing springs 58, best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6.

Associated with the other vertical edge of the leading container form 24 is a pair of vertically spaced apart, horizontally disposed rods 54' pivotally mounting a pair of retaining devices or holding fingers 56' biased into holding engagement by springs 58, best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Inviting attention to FIG. 9, the various parts of the container 24 will be defined for a better understanding of the action of the machine of the present invention upon the several parts thereof. It will be noted that FIG. 9 illustrates the container in flattened form by solid lines, and by phantom lines shown the container extended or erected into opened and I squared form for advancement through the machine. The several parts of the container will be designated with such advancement in mind. Thus, the containers 24 are stacked in the magazine section 22 with the upper major and minor flaps thereof extending upwardly and the fabrication joint or seam 60 preferably facing forwardly. To one side of seam 60 is an upper major or side flap 62 and an upper minor or end flap 64 with a slot 66 therebetween. Back of flap 62 is an upper minor flap 68 which, after opening and squaring of the container, becomes the leading upper end flap; flap 64 thus becomes the trailing upper end flap. Disposed behind slot 66 is an upper major flap 70. Employing primed versions of appropriate numerals to designate the bottom flaps of the container, numerals 62 and 64' designate the forwardly facing bottom major and minor flaps, respectively, with a slot 66' therebetween. Back of flaps 62' and 64' are bottom minor flap 68' and bottom major flap 70', flap 68' leading flap 64' during advancement of the opened container 24 through the machine. For further clarity of reference, an end panel or leading side face of the opened container is designated by reference numeral 72, the opposite end panel or trailing side face by numeral 72:, and the other two side panels or side faces by numeral 72s. It is understood, of course, that the container form 24 is provided with the usual fold or score lines.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, supported within framework 38 transversely of the magazine section 22 and above the forward end thereof is a member 74. Slidably adjustably supported on member 74 is a sleeve 76 carrying a support member 78 from which a projection or finger80 depends adapted to be aligned with slots 66 of the containers 24 stacked in the magazine section 22, best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Disposed below finger 80 is an upstanding projection or finger 80' also adjustably mounted and adapted to be aligned with slots 66' of the containers 24 in the magazine section. The flattened containers 24 are stacked in the magazine section so that flaps 62 and 62' and a side 72s therebetween are in alignment with and face the picker section 26.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the picker section 26 includes a picker carriage 82 slidably mounted on a pair of generally horizontally disposed rodlike members 84 suitably supported in the framework 38. Carriage 82 is adapted to be advanced toward the stack or supply of containers 24 in the magazine section 22 and retracted therefrom by means of an air ram 86 of conventional relay-controlled, solenoid-valve operated type. Mounted on the carriage 82 are a plurality of suction cups 88 connected by suitable tubing or pipes to a source of vacuum, not shown. Thus, upon retraction of the air ram 86, the vacuum cups 88 are brought into contact with the first or leading flattened container 24 for engaging the facing side 72s thereof and attachment thereto by the vacuum suction. Extension of the air ram 86 results in the first or leading flattened container 24 being withdrawn or plucked from the stack, the pressure of the holding fingers 56 and 56', the engagement of flaps 70 and 70' with fingers 80 and 80, and parts of the pusher section 30 in the path of the withdrawn container, all cooperating to open and substantially square the container with return movement of the carriage 82. In addition to being held by the vacuum suction of the cups 88, the opened container is also supported on a horizontal platform made up of floor plates 90 suitably supported in the framework 38, FIGS. 4 and 6.

Pusher section 30 includes a pusher carriage 92 having a pair of sleeves 94 and 94' mounted for sliding movement on a pair of horizontally disposed, rodlike members 96 suitably supported in the framework 38, the pusher carriage being reciprocated by the extension and retraction of a relay-controlled, solenoid-valve operated air ram 98, shown in FIG. 1. Best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower end of the pusher carriage 92 supports a pair of angular members 100 which serve to tuck in the bottom trailing end flap 64'. It will be noted that in the extended position of the air ram 98, members 100 are disposed with'the free distal ends thereof just behind flap 64' after the flattened container 24 has been opened and substantially squared. With such-disposition of the members 100, the members assist in such squaring and opening of the flattened container as it is withdrawn past the members by the picker section 26 with extension of the air ram 86.

With air ram 86 extended, the opened and substantially squared container 24 is disposed in alignment with the flight section 28 and is supported in such disposition by floor plates 90 and the suction on the cups 88. Retraction of air ram 98 moves pusher carriage 92 toward trailing side 72! of the container 24, causing members 100 to fold or tuck in trailing bottom end flap 64 and bring a transverse member 102 carried by the pusher carriage into contact with trailing side 72:, continued retraction of the ram 98 completing squaring of the opened container and moving it into the flight section 28.

Referring to FIG. 1, as carriage 92 begins its pushing movement, sleeve 94' actuates a switch 104 which controls a solenoid-operated valve, not shown, in the'ordinary manner for interrupting the vacuum to suction cups 88 and releasing container 24. At the end of such pushing movement, sleeve 94' actuates a switch 106 which causes air ram 98 to extend for returning pusher carriage 92 to starting position. In the process of returning, sleeve 94' actuates a switch 110 which activates a relay, not shown, for reestablishing control circuitry causing air ram 86 toretract and move picker carriage 82 towards the supply of containers 24. In the course of such movement, carriage 82 actuates a switch 112 causing reverse movement of air ram 86 and the carriage, see FIG. 6. At the end of such reverse movement, carriage 82 actuates a switch 114 controlling a relay, not shown, reestablishing control circuitry causing the pusher section 30 to become effective. Thus, the picker and pusher sections alternate in their operation to align and introducean opened and squared container into the flight section 28. i

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, it will be noted that the flight section 28 includes a pair of elongated housings 116 suitably supported in the framework 38 and having open sides which face inwardly toward each other to define a flight section channel 1160 therebetween. Mounted in each of the housings 116 is a pair of vertically spaced drive sprockets 118, secured to a vertical drive shaft 120, and a pair of vertically spaced idler sprockets 122 mounted for rotation about the axis of a vertical shaft 124. Trained about the sprockets 118 and 122 are pairs of endless chains 126 which carry a plurality of spaced, vertically disposed, cleats 128, each cleat having a portion adapted to project into the flight section channel 1160 during movement of the chains so as to engage the trailing side 72! of the container for moving it through the flight section Drive shafts 120 are interconnected by suitable sprockets and chains, collectively designated generally by reference numeral 130, driven by a motor 132 through belting 134 and a relay-controlled transmission clutch and braking mechanism 136 in a manner such that the runs of the chains 126 defining the flight channel l16c-move in the direction from right to left as viewed in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, disposed below the housings 116 and vertically aligned with the flight section channel 116s is a pair of generally horizontal supporting plates 138 and 140 which support the opened container 24 as it is moved through the is supported on the plate 138 with the bottom end flaps 64' and 68' tucked in and the bottom side flaps 62' and 70 dependingly disposed as shown in FIG. 10.

A gluing apparatus 144 may be located in the vicinity of plates 138 and 142 for applying glue to the inner surfaces of the depending bottom side flaps 62' and 70'. Control of the gluing apparatus may be achieved by engagement and disen gagement of the opened container 24 with a switch 144s.

Also associated with plate 138 is an apparatus for bending or folding up the bottom side flaps 62' and 70' which includes a pair of relay-controlled, solenoid-valve operated air rams 146 supported in the framework 38 and obliquely disposed with respect to the flaps 62' and 70', as shown in FIG. 10. Thus, upon extension of the rams 146, contact heads 148 carried thereby engage the bottom side flaps 62' and 70' and fold them upwardly to the dotted line positions shown in the F IG. As the container is moved through the flight section 28, the leading edges of the bent up bottom side flaps' 62' and 70' are adapted to be engaged by an inclined plate or ramp 150 joined to support plate 140, ramp 150 serving to close the bottom side flaps 62 and 70', plate 140 serving to press the glue coated inner surfaces thereof against the bottom end flaps 64' and 68. I

Associated with support plate 140 is a pair of pressing or scoring rollers 152 which are adjustably mounted in the framework 38 for rotation about oblique or inclined axes, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and are adapted to engage the closed bottom side flaps 62 and 70' inside the fold lines thereof for setting the fold or bend.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, mounted atop the housings 116 are upstanding members 154 on which a pair of elongated guide members 156 paralleling the flight section channel 1160 are adjustably supported, the guides being adapted to engage the upper side flaps 62 and 70 of the opened container 24 as it moves through the flight section.

Also mounted atop the housings 116 are a pair of standards 158 in the upper ends of which is rotatably mounted a flap kicker arm 160 operatively connected to a relay-controlled, solenoid-valve operated air ram 162 for oscillatory actuation thereby, see FIGS. 1 and 4. Actuation of kicker arm 160 downwardly, after the leading upper flap 68 has passed by, results in unfolding the leading upper end flap 68 outwardly ahead of leading side 72 of the opened container 24. The flap 68 is then engaged by a presser plate 164 which, in due course, engages the trailing upper end flap 64 for unfolding or opening it outwardly. Associated with the presser plate 164 are diverging plow members 165 which engage the upper side flaps and unfold or open them outwardly. Thus, the container is discharged from the forming machine onto a conveyor, not shown, with the bottom of the container closed and sealed and the upper flaps thereof in open position for receipt of articles to be packed thereinto.

Pushing the opened and squared container 24 into the flight section channel 116:: causes the container to engage and close a pair of switches 144s and 168, FIG. 3, the former controlling the gluing apparatus 144, the latter closing a circuit for activating the relay, not shown, which controls the transmission clutch and braking device 136 for putting the chains 126 into motion, which causes a pair of cleats 128 to engage with the trailing side 72! of the container. Such motioncontinues until another of the cleats 128 actuates a switch 170, FIG. 3, for causing device 136 to declutch and brake the chains 126 to a stop. In moving to such a stopped position, the opened container 24 engages and actuates a switch 172 which controls the relay for causing rams 146 to extend and partly fold the bottom side flaps 62' and 70'. At about the same time, the opened container engages and actuates a switch 174 for causing actuation of the ram 162 and swinging of kicker. arm 160 for unfolding the upper leading end flap 68. After the container has cleared switches 172 and 174, rams 146 and 162 are actuated in the reverse direction.

With the pushing of another opened and squared container into the flight section, the cycle is repeated, the formed container ahead in due coursebei rgdischarged from the forming machine.

Inviting attention to FIGS. 8 and 8a, it will be noted that ratchet mechanism 50 includes the usual ratchet wheel 176 fixed to a shaft 178 to which sprockets, not shown, are secured for movement of chains 34 with rotation of the shaft. Pivoted on shaft 178 is a bifurcated lever 180 on which is pivotally mounted a ratchet pawl 182 biased into engagement with the ratchet wheel 176 by a spring 184. Thus, when lever 180 is oscillated, shaft 178 is rotated in increments for intermittently advancing the upper runs of chains 34 from right to left as viewed in FIG. 8.

Oscillation is imparted to lever 180 by an air ram 186 pivoted to a bracket 188 fixed to one of the rails 32. Ram 186 has an adjustable rod 190 connected to the lever 180 by a resilient lost motion connection which includes a block 192.

pivoted to the lever and springs 194 and collars 196 on the rod to either side of the block, as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8a illustrates schematically the operation of the ram 186. Ram 186 is actuated by the application of air thereto through a solenoid-controlled valve SV having a pair of solenoids S alternately activated by time delay relays TDR1 and TDR2. Power to the time delay relays is controlled by microswitch 52 and the relays are. interrelated so that when one relay is activated it causes the air ram 186 to move in one direction for a predetermined period of time, the time delay period of the relay, say one second, after which power is switched to the other relay for causing movement of the air ram in the other direction. This alternate actuation of the ram continues until the supply of container forms has advanced to the point where the leading one thereof presses microswitch 52 to open position which cuts off power to the relays and stops operation of the ratchet mechanism. With the withdrawal of the leading container form and closing of switch 52, the air ram 186 is again intermittently actuated until the next container form is in ready or operative position.

OPERATION The operation of the single magazine embodiment of the present invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. It will be appreciated that machine is equipped with conventional controls, such as valves, for controlling the delivery of vacuum and air pressure, a master control relay for the delivery of power, etc., usually actuated by pushbuttons or the'like, showings of which are deemed unnecessary since they are well known and widely used in the ordinary manner by those skilled in the art. If desired, a pressure responsive switch may be associated with the vacuum line to the suction cups 88 so that the machine will not operate unless the vacuum to the line is on. Magazine section 22 having been loaded with a supply of containers 24 in knocked-down or flattened form and impeding fingers 80 and 80' disposed in line with slots 66 and 66' of the container forms 24, the sources of vacuum and air pressure are turned on, the power on button is pressed which starts the flight section motor 132 and delivers power to the master control relay. Pressing a starting button delivers power to the various parts causing the ratchet mechanism to be actuated and advance the leading container form to the ready or operative position. Pressing an automatic cycle button causes air ram 86 to retract and move picker carriage 82 toward the supply of container forms 24. As suction cups 88 contact and suctionally engage side 72; of the first orleading container form, switch 112, FIG. 6, is actuated causing the air ram 86 to extend and move the picker carriage 82 away from the supply of containers in magazine section 22 and pluck or withdraw the leading container form therefrom. The action of holding fingers 56 and 56 and impeding fingers 80 and 80' exerts drag on the withdrawn container form. This and the disposition of the members 100,'combined with the pull of the picker carriage 82, opens and substantially squares the withdrawn container form, the lower edges thereof being supported on floor plates 92.

' contact with the trailing side 72: of the container, squaring the same. At this time, sleeve 94' actuates switch 104 for releasing the vacuum suction hold on the opened and squared container and continued movement of carriage 92 pushes the opened container into the flight section channel 1l6c. In doing so, sleeve 94' engages switch 106, actuation of which causes air ram 98 to extend and return carriage 92. During return of carriage 92, switch is actuated for reestablishing the picker section control and the picker carriage 82 is moved toward the magazine section 22 for withdrawal of another container form therefrom and a repetition of its cycle of operation. In the meantime, the ratchet mechanism 50 of the magazine section has been actuated to move the supply of container forms so that the leading one is in ready or operative position.

Pushing of the opened and squared container 24 into the flight section channel 116c causes it to engage and actuate switches 168 and 144: for causing actuation of the transmission clutching and braking device 136 and the gluing apparatus 144. Actuation of device 136 causes a pair of cleats 128 to be moved and engage behind the opened and squared container. Movement ahead of this container folds up leading bottom end flap 68 and actuates switches 172 and 174 for partly folding up the bottom side flaps 62 and 70' and unfolding the leading upper end flap 68, movement of the container ceasing upon actuation of the switch 170.

With the introduction of another opened and squared container 24 into the flight section channel and actuation of switch 168, the flight section cycle is repeated and the container ahead passes under the presser plate 164 and plow members which open up the trailing upper end flap 64 and the upper side flaps 62 and 70, the container being discharged with closed bottom and in open top condition ready for receipt of articles to be packed therein.

DUAL MAGAZINE MACHINE Referring to FIG. 11, there is illustrated a container forming machine designated generally by reference numeral 200 which has a pair of magazine sections 202a and 202 b, a pair of picker sections 2040 and 2041;, a flap opener section 208, a container flight section 210 and a flap closer and compressor section 212, all suitably supported in a framework 200]". Each of the sections will be described in greater detail and their cooperative relation will be brought out more fully in a description of the overall operation of the machine. As will later appear, a number of air rams are utilized in the machine which are of conventional relay-controlled solenoid-valve operated type well known and widely used in the art. A showing of such relays and valves is considered unnecessary for a clear understanding of the present invention. However, although the relays and valves are not shown their operative presence is understood in the description of the operation of the air rains in response to the actuation of switches associated therewith.

Magazine sections 202a and 202b are essentially similar to magazine section 22, previously described, and corresponding parts will be identified using the same numerals with the addition of the letters a or b, it being understood that each magazine section is complete even though some parts are not shown or referenced by numeral. Accordingly, referring also to FIGS. 12, 13 and 15, magazine section 202a includes rails 32a, endlesschains 34a, rod 40a, backup plate 44a, shaft 178a driven by a ratchet mechanism actuated by an air ram 186a under the control of a switch 52a, etc. Similarly, magazine section 202b is provided with rails 32b, chains 34b, rod 40b, a shaft 1178b driven by a ratchet mechanism actuated by an air ram 186!) under the control of a switch 521:, etc.

Viewing FIGS. 12 and 15, it will be noted that magazine section 202a contains a supply of container forms 24a and that magazine section 202b contains a supply of container forms 24b. Container portions 24a and 24b are in knocked-down or flattened form and are adapted to be opened and squared and telescopically assembled into a container for receiving articles to be packed therein. Accordingly, the portions are formed of a size and shape such that portion 2411 forms the exterior or box portion of the container and portion 24a fits inside of portion 24b and becomes a liner portion or closure for the container. Each portion is formed with four sides and has four flaps, later identified, extending therefrom to one side thereof with slots between the flaps and the usual fold lines between adjacent sides and between the sides and the adjacent flaps.

Referring to FIGS. l5.and 16 and with later assembly in view, liner portions 24a are supported in the magazine section 202a with sides 214a and 214k and flaps 214a and 214f facing the picker section 204a with the flaps thereof projecting or extending toward picker section 204b. To hold the leading container portion 24a of the'supply in magazine section 202a in operative or ready position, there is provided a pair of upstanding rods 218 suitably supported in the framework 200f, each rod 218 mounting a roller 220 and a pivoted finger 222, rollers 220 pressing against side 214b and flap 214g, respectively, fingers 222 pressing against side 2140 and flap 2142, respectively, and urged into such engagement by'springs 224, as best seen in FIG. 12. Rollers 220 and fingers 222 exert a drag on the leading liner portion 24a for opening and squaring the same as it is extracted or withdrawn from the magazine section, as will later appear. To assist further in the opening of the container portion 24a, a projection or drag finger 226 may be mounted to project into the slot 214: between flaps 214e and 214f and supported on the adjacent rod 218. Also, an arcuate member 228 is disposed in the path of side 214b and is adjustably secured to a transverse horizontal rod 230 mounted on the upper ends of the rods 218.

Box portions 24b are supported in magazine section 202b with sides 216a and 216d facing forwardly, the former above framework 200f, the rods having mounted thereon pivoted holding fingers 234 biased by springs 236, a projection or drag finger 238 projecting into slot 216b between flaps 216: and 216/1 and an arcuate member 240 secured to a transvers horizontal member 242.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 14, picker section 204b includes a box picker carriage 244 mounted for linear movement on a pair of generally horizontal rods 246 suitably supported in framework 200f, such movement being imparted thereto by the retraction and extension of an air ram 248. Carriage 244 includes generally horizontal and vertical members 2441: and 244v, respectively. Pivotally mounted on the member 244v for swinging about a transverse axis is a picker head lever or arm 244a which has a rock arm 244r actuated by an airram 250 suitably connected to the member 244k. Picker head arm 244a suitably supports a plurality of suction cups 252 connected to a source of vacuum by a suction line including flexible tubing or piping 252p. Thus, retraction of air ram 250 swings arm 244a from a generally horizontal position shown in FIG. 14 and disposes the suction cups 252 in position shown in phantom lines in the FIG. which places the cups in engagement with side 216d of the leading box portion 24b, as shown in phantom in FIG. 15.

With cups 252 suctionally engaging side 216d, extension of the air ram 250 swings arm 244a downwardly to the generally horizontal position as shown in FIG. 14 and withdraws the leading box portion 24b against the drag exerted thereon by fingers 234 and 238. In the process, opening of the box portion 24b is initiated and engagement of arcuate member 240 v with side 216a further assists in the opening and substantial squaring of the box portion, as shown in FIG. 14.

With arm 244a disposed generally horizontally, rock arm 244r actuates a switch 254 causing retraction of air ram 248 for moving the carriage 244 away from the magazine section 202b and placing the opened box portion 24b carried thereby into the entrance of flight section 210 and in alignment with the pusher section 206 and the flap opening section 208.

In the meantime, picker, section 204a withdraws a liner portion 24a from magazine section 202a and moves it into the pusher section 206. Referring also to FIG. 13, picker section 204a includes a liner portion picker carriage 256 mounted for linear movement on a pair of parallel, generally horizontal rods 258 suitably supported in frame 200f. Movement is imparted to carriage 256 by an air ram 260, also suitably supported in frame 200f. Picker carriage 256 supports a plurality of suction cups 262 connected to a source of vacuum by a suction line including tubing or piping 262p, the suction cups being supported so as to engage side 214a of the leading liner portion 24a in the magazine section 202a, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 15.

Thus, upon retraction of air ram 260 side 214a of the leading liner portion 24a is pulled away from the magazine section 202a, rollers 220 and fingers 222 and 226 exerting drag on the liner portion for effecting initial opening thereof upon withdrawal, arcuate member 228 engaging side 214b assisting in the opening and substantial squaring of the liner portion which is withdrawn into the pusher section 206. During such action, the opened liner portion is drawn onto a generally horizontal support platform 264 and under a pivoted depending plate 266, the upper portion of the picker carriage 256 moving through an aperture 268a in a generally vertical plate 268, see FIGS. 13 and 18. The suction cups 262 are disposed generally in the plane of the plate 268 when air ram 260 is retracted, thereby bringing side 214a of the liner portion thereagainst. With side 214d of the liner portion resting on platform 264 and side 214a against plate 266, the liner portion is squared, plate 266 dropping into place back of trailing side 2140 after the latter has passed. Plate 266 thus serves to maintain the squared condition of liner portion 24a after vacuum has been cut off from suction cups 262, as will later appear. Liner portion 24a is now in alignment with the withdrawn box portion 24b and is adapted to be inserted into or telescoped therewith by action of the pusher section 206 and the flap opening section 208.

Referring to F 105.11 and 18, pusher section 206 includes a pusher carriage 270 supported for linear movement on a pair of parallel generally horizontal rods 272 and reciprocating movement is imparted thereto by operation of an air ram 274, the rods and the air ram being suitably supported in the frame 200f of the machine. Pusher carriage 270 is provided with a generally vertically disposed pusher plate 276 which is fitted with rectangularly related angle irons 278 elements of which are adapted to project into the open and squared liner portion and maintain the squared condition thereof shortly after retraction of air ram 274 commences. However, air ram 274 cannot be operated until certain conditions are satisfied, as will later appear.

Referring to FIGS. 12, 14 and 18, flap opening section 208 includes a plurality of swinging wedgelike arms 280, each fixed to a rock shaft 282 rotatably mounted in the frame 200f and interconnected by gearing 284 for simultaneous swinging of the arms. As seen in FIG. 12, arms 280 and rock shafts 282 are disposed generally in a vertical plane and are adapted to swing outwardly from such plane, as shown in FIG. 18, by operation of an air ram 286 pivotally supported on frame 200f by a mounting bracket 288 and operatively connected toa rock arm 290 affixed to the lower horizontal rock shaft 282.

Associated with the flap opening section 208 is a pair of air rams 292 which operate to extend and retract contact heads 294 for tucking in the end flaps 216a and 216g of the box portion 24a, as will later appear.

Viewing FIGS. 11, 13 and 14, flight section 210 includes an upper endless flight chain 300 reeved or trained about an idler sprocket 302 and a driven sprocket 304 secured to a generally horizontal shaft 306, the shaft and sprocket 302 being rotatably supported in the framework 200f. Also secured to the shaft 306 is a sprocket 308 adapted to be driven by movement of an endless chain 310 trained about idler sprockets 312 and 314 suitably supported in the frame 200f. Chain 310 also meshes with a sprocket 316 fixed to a shaft 318 journaled in the frame 200f. Fixed to shaft 318 is a sprocket 320 driven by a chain 322 trained thereabout and about a sprocket 324 associated with a clutch and brake device 326, the device being driven by means of a motor 328 and belting 330. Secured to shaft 318 and driven thereby is a pair of laterally spaced apart sprockets 332 about which are trained a pair of endless flight chains 334 which are also trained about three sets of idler sprockets 336 suitably supported in the framework 200f. When device 326 has been actuated to cause rotation of sprocket 324, the sprocket is driven in a direction such as to cause the adjacent runs of chains 300 and 334 to move from left to right as viewed in FIG. 14 and define a flight section channel 210C therebetween.

Flight chains 300 and 334 carry transverse members or cross cleats, chain 300 carrying cleats 338 and 340, chains 334 carrying cleats 342 and 344. As will be seen in FIG. 14, during movement of the chains, cleats 338 are spaced from cleats 340 and in the flight channel 210a are disposed opposite cleats 342 which are spaced from cleats 344, the latter being disposed opposite the cleat 340 in the flight channel. Normally, flight chains 300 and 334 are stopped with a cleat 338 generally in the vertical plane of the plate 268, the opposite pair ofcleats 342 being similarly disposed.

Viewing FIG. 14, it will be appreciated that opened box portion 24b may be slightly rhombic in cross section as it is inserted into the entrance of the flight section channel 210a by movement of box picker carriage 244 with retraction of air ram 248. For the purpose of squaring the opened box portion 24b, there is provided a squaring arm 346 mounted on frame 200ffor swinging and adapted to be actuated for engaging the trailing side 214s of the box portion and moving it so that the edges of the leading side 216a of box portion are engaged by the cross cleats 338 and 342 just ahead.

Referring also to FIG. 17, it will be seen that arm 346 is actuated by an air ram 348 suitably mounted in frame 200fand operatively connected to the arm by a rocker lever 346r. Simultaneously with the actuation of squaring arm 346, flap opening arms 280 are swung outwardly from their generally vertical plane and engage the flaps of the box portion 24b, as shown in FIG. 18. With the operation of the flap opener arms 280, the box picker carriage 244 is caused to return to the magazine section 202b, the pusher section 206 is caused to operate for moving pusher plate 276 so that projections 278 carried thereby engage within the liner portion 240 for maintaining the squared condition thereof. As the pusher plate commences to move the liner portion, the vacuum of the suction cups 262 is interrupted and the liner portion 24a is released for insertion into the awaiting box portion 2412. With continued movement of the pusher plate, the liner portion is inserted into the box portion, such insertion being ended when the liner portion has been fully telescoped into the box portion with the liner portion flaps extending beyond the box portion, as shown in FIG. 18.

After the pusher carriage 270 has cleared the path ofmovement of the liner picker carriage 256, the picker carriage is caused to return to the magazine section 2020 back of the pusher carriage 270. After the portions 24a and 24b have been telescoped into an assembled container, the pusher carriage 270 is caused to return to its initial normal starting position.

With return movement of carriage 270, air ram 286 is operated for return of the flap opener arms 280 to their normal positions and air rams 292 are operated for tucking in end flaps 2162 and 216g of the box portion 24b. Shortly afterwards, the clutch and brake device 326 is actuated for initiating movement of the flight chains 300 and 334, cleats 340 and 344 just behind the assembled container engaging the edges of trailing side 2160 of box portion 24b and moving the assembled container through the flight channel 210c to the flap closing and compressing section 212.

Viewing FIG. 14, during movement to section 212, the side I flaps 2l6f and 216h of the box portion 24b are engaged by a pair of plow members 349 for folding the side flaps inwardly toward closing position and glue is applied to the tucked in end flaps 216a and 2163 by a suitable gluing device 350 which is solenoid operated and activated on actuation of a switch 351 engaged by the box portion 24b as it passes by.

With movement of the assembled container into alignment with section 212, flight chains 300 and 334 are caused to stop and air rams 292 are retracted for withdrawing the contact heads 294. This is achieved by the action of a cam 352 in a manner later made clear, the cam being secured to shaft 318 for rotation therewith.

Referring to FIGS. 13, 14, 18 and 19, flap closer and compressor section 212 includes a pair of generally parallel guides 353 which in effect are extensions of the plow members 349 and serve to hold the side flaps in their partially folded or bent positions. Associated with the guides is a pair of flap closer members 354 supported on the distal ends of arms 356 fixed to a pair of parallel rock shafts 358 suitably mounted in the frame 200f for rotation to provide for pivotal movement of the arms 356 about generally horizontal axes. Shafts 358 are interconnected by gearing 360 for simultaneous rocking thereof and opposite swinging of the arms 356, the lower shaft 358 having fixed thereto a rock arm 362 to which motion is imparted by the extension and retraction of an air ram 364 for swinging of the arms 356 and the flap closers 354 carried thereby from the open position of the flap closers, as shown in FIG. 18, to the closed position thereof, as shown in FIG. 19. In moving to the closed position of FIG. 19, the flap closers complete the closing of the partly folded side flaps 216]" and 2l6h of the box portion 24b and in the closed position provide a planar surface which serves as a backup plate engaging the exterior portions of the closed side flaps.

Section 212 also includes a compressor head carriage 366 mounted for linear sliding movement on a pair of generally horizontal rods 368 mounted in parallelism on frame 200), movement being imparted to the carriage 366 by the extension and retraction of an air ram 370 also mounted on frame 200f. Resiliently connected to carriage 366 by means including ofa plurality of springs 372 is presser plate 374. Thus, with extension of the air ram 370, presser plate 374 is inserted into the opened and squared liner portion 240 of the assembled container and engages the closed bottom of the box portion 24b for pressing the glued flaps into adhering engagement. After a predetermined time delay, air ram 370 operates to withdraw the presser plate and return to its normal position shown in FIG. 11. Also, air ram 364 is caused to retract and move the flap closer members 354 to their normal open or separated positions.

With the next cycling movement of the flight chains, the as sembled container is moved away from section 212 for eventual discharge from the machine 200. If desired, suitable plow members may be provided for turning the assembled container to present the same with the flaps of the liner portion 2441 directed upwardly after which the container may be subjected to the action of devices similar to the flap kicker arm 160, presser plate 164 and plow members 166, described in conjunction with the machine of FIGS. 1 through 10, for outwardly bending the flaps of the liner portion 24a in order that the assembled container may be presented in an open condition ready for the reception of articles to be packed therein.

OPERATION The operation of the dual magazine machine of the present invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. Except for air rams 186a, l86b and 370 which employ a time delay relay for control thereof, the air rams utilized in the machine 200 are of the type which are operated by the appropriate positioning of a solenoidoperated valve which is controlled by a suitable relay of conventional type. Referring to FIGS. 11, 13 and 14, it is assumed

Images