US3572221A - Box blank folder - Google Patents

Abstract

A MACHINE IS DISCLOSED FOR FOLDING BOX BLANKS ALONG A FOLD LINE AND INTERCONNECTING THE END PANELS OF THE BOX BLANK BY GLUING OR TAPING. MEANS ARE PROVIDED TO PERMIT ADJUSTMENT OF A CONTACT MEMBER WHILE THE MACHINE IS RUNNING SO THAT THE CONTACT MEMBER ENGAGES THE BLANK AT SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME DISTANCE FROM A FOLD LINE TO AVOID BLANK DISTORTION. MEANS ARE PROVIDED FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY OPERATING POSITIONING MEANS AT SPACED POINTS ALONG THE CONTACT MEMBER WHILE THE MACHINE IS RUNNING SO THAT THE OPTIMUM POSITION FOR FOLDING THE BLANK MAY BE ACHIEVED.

Description

March 23, 1971 r. BAUM BOX BLANK FOLDER Filed July 18, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 77150001? BAUM W IM.

ATTORNEYS.

March 23, 1971 r. BAUM BOX BLANK FOLDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 18, 1968' INVENTO/P THEODORE 8A UM W rm ATTORNEYS.

Margh 23,1971 2 'r. BAUM BOX BLANK FOLDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 18, 1968 QM mw mm m g I A s D 1:: N A 3 Nm m March 23, 1971 T. BAUM BOX BLANK FOLDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 18, 1968 Hat/0 INVENTOR THEODORE JAUM W mama.

Arromve'rs. A

United States Patent 3,572,221 BOX BLANK FOLDER Theodore Baum, Mount Laurel, N..l., assignor to Harris-Intertype Corporation Filed July 18, 1968, Ser. No. 745,889 lint. Cl. B3B) N36 US. Cl. 9352 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine is disclosed for folding box blanks along a fold line and interconnecting the end panels of the box blank by gluing or taping. Means are provided to permit adjustment of a contact member while the machine is running so that the contact member engages the blank at substantially the same distance from a fold line to avoid blank distortion. Means are provided for simultaneously operating positioning means at spaced points along the contact member while the machine is running so that the optimum position for folding the blank may be achieved.

The present invention relates to a machine for folding box blanks. Box blanks are normally fed through a slotterscorer machine which slots the box blank and scores the same so as to define parallel fold lines. Thereafter, the blank is then fed to a contiguous folder-gluer machine which folds end panels out of the plane of the remainder of the box blank and joins the end panels by gluing or taping. The folding of the end panels may be upwardly or downwardly with respect to a horizontal plane containing the remainder of the box blank.

In accordance with the present invention, the end panels of the box blank are folded by means of contact members disposed one on each side of the machine generally parallel to the path of movement of the box blanks. The contact member is preferably made from a flexible material so that it may be bent by a positioning mechanism at spaced points therealong whereby the contact member will engage the blank at substantially the same distance from the fold line. Each positioning means will position the contact member so as to progressively fold the end panels. Means are provided for simultaneously adjusting the positioning means while the machine is running, thereby avoiding the necessity of stopping the machine when it is desired to improve the fold.

Thus, the box blank folder of the present invention has the advantage of permitting adjustment while the machine is running. The structural interrelationship of the folder is such that any tendency to distort the blank is avoided and quality is improved in that there is a minimal possibility of the end panel being skewed with respect to the next adjacent panel. The folder of the present invention reduces flutter of the blanks and the contact member can be positioned so that it does not smear over printing on the blanks which may still be wet.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a paperboard box blank folder which improves the quality of folding of the end panels of a box blank in a manner which is simple and reliable.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a paperboard box blank folder which permits adjustments of the folding member to be made while the machine is running.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a paper-board box blank folder wherein spaced portions of a panel contact member may be simultaneously positioned so that all portions are substantially the same distance from a fold line on the box blank.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

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Patented Mar. 23, 1971 ice For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it bemg understood, however, that this invention is not likrlnited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities s own.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3 -3 In FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1B.

FI G. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the structure ex1st1ng in cross section in the location of the positioning means shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating the structure as it exists adjacent the positioner at the lefthand end of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the structure as it exists at the righthand end of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the structure as it appears adjacent the lefthand end of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a folded glued box blank.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 1010 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective 'view of the box blank shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of an alternative form for the contact members.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a folder in accordance with the present invention designated generally as 10. The folder 10 includes a frame 12. The frame includes longitudinally extending side plates 14 and 16. Below the plates 14 and 16, the frame includes additional longitudinally extending side plates 18, only one of which is shown. The side plates 18 support rollers 20 at spaced points therealong for supporting the box blank during at least a portion of its travel through the folder of the present invention.

The lower run of a belt 22 is illustrated for contacting the upper surface of the box blanks and causing them to move through the folder. A contact member 24 extends along one side of the machine. A similar contact member 26 extends along the opposite side of the machine. The members 24 and 26 extend generally in the direction of travel of the box blank being processed. The contact members are preferably flexible members made from a plastic material such as nylon. Other flexible materials could be used as the contact member, if desired.

A plurality of positioning means are coupled to each of the contact members 24 and 26 at spaced points therealong. Each of the positioning means is identical except as may be pointed out hereinafter. At a location wherein the box blanks are flat and lie in a horizontal plane, a positioning means 28 is coupled to contact member 24. At the same general area, a positioning means 30 is coupled to the contact member 26. The positioning means 28 and 30 are identical. Hence, only means 28 will be described in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the positioning means 28 includes housing portions 46 and 48 coupled together by bolts 50 and 52. Bolt 52 secures the housing portions to bracket 54. Bracket 54 is connected to the side plate 14.

The positioning means 28 is horizontally disposed. A positioning means 32 is secured to contact member 24 and is disposed at an angle of approximately 45 with of the leading end pora side elevation view of respect to a horizontal plane. A similar positioning means 34 is connected to the contact member 26. Another positioning means designated generally as 36 is connected to the contact member 24 and is disposed vertically as shown more clearly in FIG. 4. A positioning means similar to means 36 is connected to the contact member 26 on the opposite side.

A positioning means 38 is connected to the contact member 24 and is inclined at an angle of approximately 135 from the horizontal plane. A similar positioning means is connected to the contact member 26. The various positioning means coupled to contact member 24 are connected to a means for operating them simultaneously, namely shaft 40. A similar shaft 40 is provided for operating the positioning means connected to the contact member 26. A greater number of positioning means may be provided if desired.

Shaft 40 is coupled by sprockets and chain 46 to a motor 44. Motor 44 is mounted on side plate 14. A separate motor, not shown, is provided for operating the shaft 40'. Motor 44 and the motor for shaft 40 are preferably gear motors which can be driven to rotate the shafts 40 and 40' through a number of rotations which will actuate the positioning means to the optimum position to effect the folding.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shaft 40 is coupled to a pinion 60 which is in meshing engagement with gears 58. Gears 58 are meshed with a rack 56. Rack '56 is supported by inwardly extending flanges on the housing portions 46 and 48. A jaw 62 embraces the contact member 24, extends through a slot in the housing, and is threadedly coupled to the rack 56 for movement therewith.

Positioning means 32, 36 and 38 are all identical except for their angular disposition. Positioning means 32 is angularly disposed so that the box blank will have been folded downwardly through an angle of approximately 45 at the location thereof. Positioning means 38 is located so that the box blank will have been folded through a total angle of 90 at the location thereof as shown in FIG. 7. Positioning means 38 is located so that the box blank will have been folded downwardly through an angle of approximately 135 at the location thereof as shown in FIG. 8. Hence, only positioning means 36 will be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 4, the positioning means 36 includes a housing, supported from the side plate 14 by a bracket 64. The housing includes housing portions 72 and 74. See FIG. 10. The rack designated as 68 is supported by the inwardly extending flanges 70 and 71 and is in meshing engagement with pinion 66 on shaft 40. A jaw 76 has one end embracing the contact member 24 and its other end is threadedly coupled to the rack 68. The flanges 71 are spaced apart from one another so as to define a channel within which the reduced diameter portion of the jaw 76 may reciprocate.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a flat blank 78 which has been scored and slotted so as to have panels 80 and 82 connected together by a fold line 84. Panel 82 is connected to a panel 86 by fold line 88. Panel 86 is connected to panel 90 by a fold line 92. For purposes of illustration, the panels 80 and 90 will be interconnected by a glue tab designated as 94. See FIG. 11.

The operation is as follows:

Box blanks which have been scored and slotted by a slotter-scorer are fed to the folder at a high rate of speed such as 200-300 per minute depending upon the box blank size. For purposes of illustrating a box blank in the drawing, it will be noted that the box blank is symmetrical with all of the panels being of the same size. As the panels are moved through the folder under the influence of belt 22 and supported by the rollers 20, the panels 80 and 90 move beneath contact members 24 and 26, respectively. Since the folding process is iden- 4 tical, only the folding process effected by contact member 24 will be described in detail.

Motor 44 will have been operated to rotate shaft 40 and thereby preposition the means 28, 32, 36 and 38 to a predetermined location wherein member 24 will always contact the panel at a location which is uniformly spaced from the fold line 84. Preferably, the contact member 24 engages the panel 80 at a location which is closer to the free edge of panel 80 than the fold line 84.

When the box blank 78 is adjacent the positioning means 28, the blank lies in a horizontal plane. As the box blank 78 is moved to the location of positioning means 32, continuous contact with the member 24 will have folded the panel 80 downwardly through an angle of approximately 45 from the position shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in FIG. 6.

When the box blank 78 arrives at the location of means 36, panel 80 due to continuous contact with member 24 will have been folded downwardly through an accumulative angle of so as to assume the position shown in FIG. 7.

When the box blank approaches the location of means 38, continuous contact with the member 24 will have caused the panel 80 to assume the position shown in FIG. 8 wherein it has been moved downwardly through an angle of approximately Continued movement of the panel 80 until it overlies panel 82 is effected by means of belt 96. Thereafter, the collapsed box blank as shown in FIG. 9 passes between rollers, not shown, which will insure that glue applied to the tab 94 will be pressed against the juxtaposed surface of panel 90.

Adjustment of the positioning means can be effected while the folder 10 is operating or inoperative. Such adjustment is attained by operation of motor 44. Since the line of contact between member 24 and the fold line 84 are parallel, improved quality of folding is obtained in avoiding distortion, whereby panel 80 would not be skewed with respect to panel 90. If desired, the contact members 24 and 26 could be hollow as shown in FIG. 12 and provided with perforations 27 whereby pressurized air issuing through the perforations 27 would provide a film of air between the box blank and the contact members so as to reduce friction.

The shaft 40 and the positioning means operated thereby and associated with contact member 26 are preferably independently operated by a separate motor. In this manner, non-uniform blanks may be processed. By non-uniform blanks, it is meant that panel 80 would not be of the same size as panel 90. Under those circumstances, it would be desirable to have the ability to locate member 24 from fold line 84 by a distance such as 12 inches and locate member 26 from fold line 92 by a distance such as 8 inches. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these dimensions are exemplary and will vary from box blank to box blank.

From the above description, it will be apparent that the box blanks are moved in a horizontal plane along a predetermined path. The contact members 24 and 26 extend generally parallel to the path of movement of the box blank panels. The contact members 24 and 26 fold end panels on the blank out of the plane of the remainder of the panels. Such folding may be upwardly or downwardly. Hereinafter, the motor 44 and shaft 40 may be referred to as a means for simultaneously operating the positioning means 28, 32, 36 and 38, while the folder 10 is running or operating.

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 fore going specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A machine for folding paperboard box blanks as the blanks are moved in a horizontal plane along a predetermined path comprising means for moving end panels of the blank out of the horizontal plane and through an arc of 180 so that they overlie adjacent panels and are joined to each other, said means including a flexible contact member of finite length capable of being bent and extending generally parallel to said path for engagement with blank end panels to eifect folding of the same out of said plane, separate positioning means at spaced points along the path, each positioning means being fixedly connected to a portion of said member for positioning said portions substantially equal distances from a fold line on the blank, said positioning means being supported sequentially orientated at progressively different angles with respect to said plane to progressively fold the end panels through an angle of at least 135 from said plane, and means for simultaneously reciprocating said positioning means relative to its support while the machine is running.

2. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein each positioning means includes a reciprocable rack connected to said member, each rack being coupled to a drive shaft forming a part of said operating means.

3. A machine for folding box blanks as the blanks are moved in a horizontal plane along a predetermined path comprising means for moving end panels on the box blank downwardly out of said plane so that they will overlie adjacent panels and may then be joined together, said means including a contact member of finite length extending generally parallel to said path and made from a flexible material, separate positioning means at spaced points along the path and each coupled to said member at spaced points therealong, each positioning means being disposed at a diiferent angle of inclination with respect to said plane, and means for simultaneously operating said positioning means while the machine is running.

4. A machine in accordance with claim 3 wherein the angle of inclination of said positioning means with respect to said plane increases sequentially in the direction of movement of the box blanks.

5. A machine in accordance with claim 3 wherein said last mentioned means includes a motor coupled to a shaft disposed generally parallel to said path, each positioning means being connected to said shaft.

6. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said contact member is at least partially hollow and provided with perforations so that air may be discharged 6 through the perforations to provide a film of air between the box blank and the contact member.

7. A machine in accordance with claim 1 including a pair of side plates, a pair of said flexible members, each of said positioning means being supported by one of said side plates, each positioning means including a rack connected to one of said flexible members and a pinion meshed with the rack for adjusting the position of the flexible members with respect to the side plates.

8. A machine for folding paperboard box blanks as the blanks are moved in a horizontal plane along a predetermined path comprising means for moving end panels of the blanks out of the horizontal plane and through an arc of so that they overlie adjacent panels and are joined to each other, a pair of parallel plate members, a pair of flexible contact members of finite length and capable of being bent and extending generally parallel to said path for engagement with blank end panels to fold the end panels out of said plane, positioning means supported by each of said side plates at spaced locations therealong for positioning portions of each contact member a uniform distance from the fold line of the box blanks along the entire length of the contact member, each positioning means being fixedly connected to a portion of said member, and means for simultaneously moving each separate positioning means, relative to its support plate member, toward or away from a fold line on the blanks while the machine is running.

9. A machine in accordance with claim 8 wherein said contact members are hollow plastic members.

10. A machine in accordance with claim 9 wherein said members are perforated and connectable to a source of pressurized air.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,931,277 4/1960 La Bombard 9352 3,296,945 1/ 1967 Cvacho et al 9394X 3,335,540 8/1967 Reil et al 9352UX 3,371,585 3/1967 Moser et al. 9352 BERNARD STICKNEY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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