US3590700A

US3590700A - Method and machine for forming containers

Info

Publication number: US3590700A
Application number: US757581A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gerald C Paxton; Allen D Paxton
Original assignee: SWF Companies Inc
Current assignee: SANGER WORKS FACTORY Inc A CORP OF; SWF Companies Inc
Priority date: 1968-09-05
Filing date: 1968-09-05
Publication date: 1971-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-06
Also published as: IL32943A0; JPS5220911B1; DE1945126A1; GB1267550A; DE1945126C3; ES371248A1; DE1945126B2; BE787986Q; FR2017460A1; IL32943A

Abstract

A method and machine for forming a container from a pair of preformed end panels and a preformed body mat of generally planar form having a central bottom panel and side panels joined thereto with scored fold lines, the mat panels having flanges at the ends thereof. The method and operation of the machine sequentially involve feeding a vertically disposed body mat downwardly and simultaneously applying glue to the end flanges, feeding a spaced pair of vertically disposed end panels into engagement with the bottom panel of the mat, inwardly of the end flanges thereof, moving the mat substantially horizontally, partially folding the bottom panel end flanges toward the end panels, folding the mat side panels into engagement with the end panels, partially folding the side panel end flanges toward the end panels, and completing the folding of the several end flanges into engagement with the respective end panels for adhesively joining the end flanges to the end panels.

Description

oiled States Patent Inventors Gerald C. Paxton Sanger; Allen D. Paxton, Fresno, both of, Calif. App] No 757,581 Filed Sept. 5, 1968 Patented July 6, 1971 Assignee General Nailing Machine Corporation METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING CONTAINERS 23 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

3,456,563 7/1969 Roesneretal. H

Primary Examiner- Bernard Stickney 4tmrnev- Huebner & Worrel and side panels joined thereto with scored fold lines, the mat panels having flanges at the ends thereof. The method and operation of the machine sequentially involve feeding a vertically disposed body mat downwardly and simultaneously applying glue to the end flanges, feeding a spaced pair of vertically disposed end panels into on agement with the bottom panel of the mat, inwardly of the end. flanges thereof, moving the mat substantially horizontally, partially folding the bottom panel end flanges toward the end panels, folding the mat side panels into engagement with the end panels, partially folding the side panel end flanges toward the end panels, and completing the folding of the several end flanges into engagement with the respective end panels for adhesively joining the end flanges to the end panels.

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SHEET 7 [IF 7 GERALD C. B4XTON ALLEN D. PAXTON INVE'N r09:

.4 TTORNEKS' METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING CONTAINERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the art of forming paper containers and more particularly to a method and machine for forming such container in a rapid and reliable manner.

Various types of containers have long been used for storing and shipping fruit, vegetables and other articles of commerce. Such containers may be characterized by these shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,796,360; 2,089,345; 3,197,108 and the like. In the interest of economy, various machines and methods have been devised for forming such containers of relatively inexpensive materials. In general, in such machines the container parts are fed substantially horizontally to an assembly station employing a vertically disposed die and vertically reciprocal mandrel to effect formation and assembly of the parts. Such machines take up a substantial amount of floor space and require a superstructure of considerable height to accommodate the vertically acting carriage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and machine for forming containers.

Another object is to provide such a method and machine which is less expensive than prior art methods and machines for the purpose.

Another object is to provide a container forming method and machine wherein a pair of end panels are fitted to a body mat having bottom and side panels, the mat panels having flanges folded into engagement with the end panels and adhesively secured thereto in a rapid and reliable manner.

Another object is to provide a container forming machine which is compact and readily portable.

Another object is to provide a container forming machine in which a container body mat is fed vertically and thus makes possible substantial savings in floor space.

Another object is to provide a container forming machine in which a pair of end panels are moved horizontally for fitting to a container body mat.

Another object is to provide a container forming machine in which assembly of the container parts is effected by parts moving essentially horizontally at the time of their assembly.

Another object is to provide a container forming machine in which container parts are initially only partially or approximately assembled, final assembly being effected by horizontally acting compression means.

Another object is to provide a container forming machine which operates automatically at substantially high speed but can be effectively operated at slower speeds for forming cntainers at slower rates.

These, and other objects and advantages, are achieved by providing a method and machine for feeding preformed end panels and container body mats from magazines wherein such mats and panels are disposed generally vertically. The body mat has bottom and side panels and is fed downwardly from its magazine by a cam operated finger so that the lower edge of the mat is engaged by a driven roller which pulls the mat down. The bottom and side panels have end flanges to which glue is applied as the mat descends. After the mat is pulled down, it is disposed in front of a ram carriage with the lower edge of the mat actuating linkage which unlatches the carriage for movement. The ram carriage is a cage or open framework structure supported for horizontal movement and has vertical sides engaged by the end panels fed from magazines on each side of the carriage. Movement is imparted to the carriage by a cam operated rock arm linked to the carriage. Forward move ment of the carriage carries a pair of end panels into engagement with the bottom panel of the mat. Continued movement of the carriage causes the bottom panel flanges to be partially folded toward the end panels, the side panels to be folded against the end panels, and the flanges of the side panels to be partially folded toward the end panels. At the end of forward movement of the carriage, cam operated toggle mechanisms force a pair of movable compressor plates against the partially folded flanges, completing the folding thereof and adhesively bonding them to the end panels. The compressor plates are partly relieved, the ram carriage retracts leaving the assembled container between the plates. Upper and lower leaf springs cause the side panels to bow slightly and provide edges engaged by the bottom of the next container for ejecting the assembled container from the machine. The several cams are suitably formed to effect feeding, movement of the carriage and operation of the compressor plates in a coordinated manner. A time delay relay controlled by a cam actuated switch selectively introduces delays in the operation of the machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an elevational view of a container forming machine embodying the principles ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section generally along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3, with selected parts broken away for illustrative convenience.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the uppermost portion of the machine.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the upper portion of the machine illustrating details of the body mat feed.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 88 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the container body mat in assembly position and schematically illustrating the method of operation of the machine for forming a container.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the time delay control ofthe machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a container forming machine Ill consisting essentially of a portable frame 12, a feeding portion 13, an assembly portion 14, and a compression portion 15. The framework 12 includes a base 16 and an upstanding superstructure 17. The base 16 is constructed to provide sufficientstrength. and rigidity and may be provided with wheels 18 for mobility.

The base 16 includes a pair of si-deplates 19 at one end thereof and a pair of sideplates 21 at its other end, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The plates I9 are interconnected by a transverse bar 22, and plates 21 are interconnected by a transverse bar 23. The

bars

22 and 23 are disposed at about the same level and atop thereof are a pair of parallel longitudinal bars or rails 24 adjustably secured thereto by clamping devices 25, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Secured to the bars 24 by bolts 26 are a pair of elongated vertical bars or posts 27 extending upwardly and forming part of the superstructure I7. Also forming part of the superstructure are spaced pairs of oppositely facing channel members 28, as shown in FIG. 2. Each pair of channel members is supported on a respective sideplate 19 by a gusset 29 and a buttress or brace plate 31, best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a transverse rod 32 and a cross strap 33 interconnect the tops of the channel members 28. The posts 27 are adjustably secured to the strap by bolts 34 extending through slots 35.

Referring also to FIG. 7, secured to the pairs of members 28 are a pair of mounting plates 36 in which is journaled a rock shaft 37 to which is fixed an arm 38. Pivotally mounted on the distal end of the arm 38 is a finger 39 having piercing points or teeth 41 biased away from the shaft 37 by tension springs 42, the teeth being ofa length to penetrate only the adjacent surface ofa container body blank or mat 43 of planar form. Thus,

as shown in FIG. 6, upon downward rocking of the arm 38 the teeth pierce the near side of the mat and force it downwardly toward an idler roller'dd which is engaged and driven by a driven roller 45, each roller having a periphery of high friction resilient material, such as rubber or the like. As will later appear, the mat 43 is engaged therebetween, as shown in FIG. 8, for feeding of the mat downwardly to the assembly portion 114. In the assembly portion the mat is designated by reference numeral 43 and is disposed in an assembly position below the axes of rotation of the rollers, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9.

As best shown in FIG. 9, each mat is of predetermined planar configuration and is formed with a central bottom panel 46 to which are joined

side panels

47 and 48 with scored fold lines 49 at the junctures. Each of the side panels has associated therewith a top flap 51 with a scored fold line 52 therebetween. Joined to the bottom panel are beveled end flanges 46fwith fold lines 53 therebetween. Side panel 4-7 has end flanges 47f and fold lines 54, and side panel 48 has end flanges 48f and fold lines 55'. Such configuration provides notches 47': and 48': in the longitudinal edges of the mat.

Returning to FIGS. and 6, each mat 43) is configured as described for support by and feeding from the feed position 13 which includes a pair of sideplates 56 vertically adjustably secured to the posts 27. Each of the plates 56 has attached to the inwardly facing surface thereof an inclined bracket 57 having a generally triangular cross section and carrying a sup port arm 58. The plates and brackets form a magazine and, as will be appreciated from viewing FIGS. l and 9, a number of mats 43 are stacked vertically in the magazine with the support arms and inclined brackets engaging the edges of the notches Wu. The inclined disposition of the brackets causes the blanks thereon to gravitate so that the lead blank is pressed against a steadying standard 59, fragmentarily shown, and a pair of contact plates 60, the former being secured to the midportion of the strap 35, the latter being attached to the posts 27 by plates 6H.

Each contact plate has mounted at the inner edge thereof a plurality of freely rotating rollers 62a, b and c with a clearance of about one-sixteenth inch between each plate and the periphery of each roller at the point of contact thereof with the container mat, best seen in FIG. 7. Each inclined bracket 57 has its inner end 63 spaced from its respective contact plate 60 an amount sufficient to provide a space permitting the leading mat 43 to ride off the brackets upon downward move ment of the mat while still retaining the next mat thereon. Because of the aforementioned clearance between the contact plates and the peripheral points of the rollers 62a, b and c, the leading mat is restrained from entering the spaces between the contact plates and the bracket ends and thus is also ordinarily retained on the brackets. However, upon downward movement of the leading mat in response to the action ofthe arm 38 and points 41, the end flanges of the leading mat above the brackets are bent or deflected toward the contact plates so as to pass through such spaces for feeding a mat. The rollers also operate to reduce the amount of frictional contact of the leading mat with the contact plates during descent.

Referring to FIG. 6, downward movement of the leading mat 43 brings the lower edge thereof into contact with the periphery of the idler roller 44. The points on the peripheries of the

rollers

44 and 45 nearest each other are out of vertical alignment with the normal disposition of the leading mat 33 but engagement of the lower edge thereof by the periphery of the roller 44 causes it to become arched or bowed as shown in FIG. 8. Such arched condition of the mat serves to draw in the side edges thereof from the posts 27, thus further reducing the frictional drag on the mat. The arching or bowing of the mat also serves to stiffen and straighten the mat longitudinally, that is, vertically, for better guiding thereof during descent. With the mat disposed between the peripheries of the

rollers

44 and 45, it is drawn rapidly downwardly and leaves the rollers with a considerable downward impetus.

The roller 4d is mounted for free rotation is a U-shaped bracket 64 which is secured to a crossbar 65 centrally thereof.

The crossbar has ends fixed to a pair of plates 66 mounted on channel. members 28. Journaled in the plates 66 is a transverse rotary shaft 67 to which the roller 45 is secured in alignment with the roller 44.

Provision is made for gluing the end flanges 46f, 47fand 48f during downward movement of the mat 43. Any glue applying mechanism suitable for the purpose will suffice. However, the glue feeding mechanism shown and described in copending application, Ser. No. 736,734, filed June 13, 1968 is preferred. As shown in FIG. 8, a pair of such mechanisms are employed and one each thereof, designated generally by reference numeral 68, is secured to one of the posts 27, respectively. Each mechanism 68 consists essentially of a backup roller 69 in alignment with a glue applying roller 71 supported in a housing 72. Forming a part of the mechanism is a gearwheel 73} which when rotated serves to feed gluestock 74 into the housing from a spool 75 journaled on a bracket 76 secured to a channel member 28. A pair of pinions 77 are adjustable secured on the shaft 67 for meshing with the gearwheels '73 and accommodating movement of the mechanisms with lateral adjustment of the posts 27. The

rollers

69 and 73 are mounted for free rotation, the end flanges passing therebetween in engagement therewith for imparting rotation thereto. For a more detailed description of structure and operation of the glue feeding mechanisms, reference can be made to the aforementioned copending application.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 9, when the body mat has descended to the assembly position designated by numeral 43' it is disposed between a ram carriage or mandrel 78 and a compression mechanism or die 79. The ram carriage 78 is essentially an open frame or cagelike structure of generally parallelepiped form including angle irons 80 at the longitudinal corners thereof, best seen in FIG. 9. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4-, the angle irons are held in adjustable transverse spaced relation by aligned rods 81 which telescope into and are secured to sleeves 8M, and in vertically spaced relation by side straps 82 and sideplates 83, the latter being disposed at the forward end of the structure in the plane of the vertical legs of the angle irons.

Each of the lower pair ofangle irons 80 is supported for sliding movement on an elongated slide plate 84 along a path of movement defined by parallel track members 85 secured to the plates inwardly of the angle irons. Secured atop the track members are holddown plates 86 which prevent the angle irons from moving upwardly. The slide plates 84 are supported on and secured to longitudinal bars 87, aligned crossbars 88 and short posts 89. The bars 87 are secured atop the rails 24, the bars 33 are fixed to the inner sides of the bars 87 and are interconnected by a sleeve 88s for adjustability. The lower ends of the posts 89 rest on the bar 23 and are adapted to slide thereover during adjustment of the rails 24.

in PM. 3, the carriage or mandrel 78 is shown in its retracted position and is adapted to be moved to the right into the compression mechanism or die 79, after which it is returned to the retracted position. Such movement is imparted to the carriage by a thrust rod 90 connected to the sideplates 83 by aligned rods 91 and an interconnecting sleeve 91s. The thrust rod is pivoted to a swinging arm 92 which is affixed to a rock shaft 93 having ends journaled in the plates 21. Also affixed to the rock shaft 93 is a rock arm 94 on which is journaled a cam follower roller 95 disposed in a cam way 96 formed in a rotary member 97 secured to a cross-shaft 98 also journalcd in the sideplates 21.

Referring to H08. 2 and 41, on each side of the carriage 78 are ramps or

inclined brackets

99 and 100 interconnected by an adjustable brace bar Hill, each of the brackets having a generally right angle cross-sectional configuration. Each of the brackets 99 is connected to the post 27 adjacent thereto while each bracket B00 is adjustably connected to the adjacent slide plate 84 by a bracket I02. Also connected to each of the posts 27 is a plate 103 disposed in a vertical plane and carrying a guide member 10 3 generally at right angles thereto, the member having a bent or angular end 1040 for a reason later appearing. The plate and member are inclined so as to be generally parallel to the bracket 99 therebelow, as shown in FIG. 4. The

brackets

99 and 100 and plate 103 with member 104 together constitute a magazine for receiving and stacking a number of end panels 105 substantially vertically disposed, as shown in FIG. 4. Each panel 105 can be formed with a scored fold line 105', as shown in FIG. 9, along which the end panels can be folded to provide inner top flaps over which flaps 51 can be folded for closing a formed container. The inclination of the

brackets

99 and 100 causes the end panels to gravitate downwardly and feed the leading end panel against the adjacent side of the carriage 78. Heavy pieces of metallic round stock or rods 106 rolling down the inclined brackets behind the last panel serve to assist as followers in the feeding of the end panels.

It will be appreciated that by providing for adjustment of the brackets 100 and the angle irons 8t) ofthe carriage 78, various sizes of container body mats and end panels can be accommodated for making various size containers.

The gravitational effect of the end panels and the rods 1116 press the leading panels 105 against the sides of the carriage 78. Attached to the vertical legs of the rear ends of the angle irons are feed or pickoff plates 107 having a thickness slightly less than the thickness of the end panels. As shown in FIG. 2, the forward edge of each of the feed plates terminates behind the associated bracket 100 and is beveled to provide an acute notch 108. Thus, upon forward movement of the carriage 78, the forward edges of the feed plates engage the rear vertical edge of each ofthe leading panels and move them forwardly to pick off or slide them from the stacks. The plates 107 also serve to hold the next panels 105 away from the angle irons until the carriage has retracted and the notches 108 are behind the brackets 100.

To provide a sufficient supply of and panels, the magazines therefor are often fully stacked to capacity. However, because of frictional drag, particularly when the magazines are substantially full, the lower edges of the panels tend to lag the upper edges thereof as the leading end panels are picked off with the result that the panels tilt from the vertical toward the carriage. Should the amount of such tilt progress to the point of becoming excessive, a condition prevails in which the lower edge of the leading end panel is spaced from the carriage a distance greater than the thickness of the plates 107 and the panel is not picked off properly. To overcome this problem, the guide member functions to limit the extent of tilt of the panels. Additionally, the bend 1040 in the guide member prevents the panels therebeyond from tilting toward the carriage and causes each panel to tilt in the opposite direction slightly as it gravitates down the

brackets

99 and 100 and slips under the bend. The plate 104 is spaced from its associated bracket 99 to provide a slight clearance with respect to the upper edges of the panels for accommodating slight variances in panel sizes.

Referring to FIG. 3, during descent the container body mat 43 is guided to the assembly position designated by numeral 43' by pairs of upper and lower guide elements 109 and pairs of upper plow members 110 and lower plow members 111. The plow members 111 have extensions 111a which are attached to crossbars 112 secured to the rails 2 1. The crossbars 112 are adjustably interconnected by sleeves 112a and form part of the compression mechanism '79. Extending upwardly from the ends of the crossbars 112 are two pairs of vertical bars or posts 113 which are adjustably interconnected at their tops by crossbars 114 and sleeves llMs. The plow members 110 have extensions 110a which are attached to the bars 114. The plow members, crossbars and posts thus constitute a boxlike cage structure.

Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 4, the compression mechanism 79 is provided with a pair of parallel rock shafts 115, one at each side thereof and journaled in a pair of the vertical posts 113. Fixed to each of the rock shafts 115 is an arm 116 pivotally connected to a pair oflinks 117 pivoted to a supporting bar 118, each arm and its links constituting a toggle mechanism. The bars 113 support presser plates 119 in inwardly facing relation, each plate having pins 120 at the lower edge thereof slidably related to the extensions 111a. Thus, alignment of the arm 116 with its links 117 serves to elongate the toggle mechanism and move the presser plates toward each other to press the end flanges of the container body mat against the respective end panels to complete assembling of the container, as will later appear.

For imparting simultaneous rocking to the shafts 115, each of the shafts has affixed thereto an arm 121 to the distal end of which is pivoted one end of a connecting rod 122. The other ends of the connecting rods are pivoted to a pair of rock arms 123 fixed to a rock shaft 124, the ends of which are journaled in the sideplates 19. Dependingly fixed to the rock shaft 124 adjacent to one end thereof is a rock arm 125 to the lower end of which is pivoted one end ofa thrust rod 126. The other end of the rod 126 is pivoted to a swinging lever 127 pivotally mounted on the inner side of one of the sideplates 21. Journaled on the swinging lever 127 is a rotary cam follower 128 adapted to ride on the outer periphery of a cam 129 fixed to the shaft 98 at one end thereof. The cam follower is held in operative engagement with the cam 129 by the bias of a tension spring 130 connected between the rod 126 and one of the sidcplates 19.

Also fixed to the shaft 98 adjacent to the other end thereof is a cam 131 having an outer periphery against which rides a cam follower roller 132 journaled on the lower end ofa lever 133 pivoted intermediate its ends on a pivot pin 133' mounted on the inner side of the adjacent sideplate 21, as shown in

F165

1 and 1. A tension spring 134 connected between the lever and the adjacent sideplate 21 urges the roller into engagement with the cam. Connected to the upper end of the lever 133 is one end ofa pull link 135 of angular form with offset ends and a telescoping intermediate portion which passes through the space between the

adjacent sideplates

19 and 21, as shown in FIG. 2.. The intermediate portion provides a safety feature and includes a rod portion 136 in slidable telescoping relation with a sleeve portion 137 pivoted to a swinging lever 138 pivotally mounted on the adjacent sideplate 19. The rod portion moves in response to movement of the lever 133 and has a groove or socket 139 into which a ball 140 slidably mounted on the sleeve portion is pressed by a compression spring M1 for releasably locking the portions together. The ball and spring are housed in a casing 142 mounted on the sleeve portion, an adjusting screw 143 threadedly engaging the casing serving to adjust the pressure of the spring for predetermining the maximum pull the link can transmit beyond which the ball moves out of the socket and the rod portion slides relative to the sleeve portion. The lever 138 is thus adapted to be swung in response to movement of the link 135 as the roller R32 follows the contour of the periphery of the cam 131. Also pivoted to the lever 138 is the lower end of an elongated connecting rod 14 pivotally connected at its upper end to a bifurcated rock arm 1435 fixed to one end of the shaft 37, best seen in FIG. 7.

For imparting rotation to the shaft 98 the outer periphery of the rotary member 97 is provided with gear teeth M6 adapted to mesh with the teeth of a pinion 147 fixed to a cross-shaft 1 3$ journaled in the sideplates 21. The cross-shaft is adapted to be driven by an electric motor 149 suitably supported on the base 16 and having operatively related thereto a magnetic clutch 149a for driving a sprocket I50. Trained about the sprocket 1511 and a plate sprocket 151 is a drive chain 152. Referring to PM]. i, the plate sprocket 1151 is part ofa friction clutch mechanism and has a central journal opening, not shown, for rotatively mounting the sprocket on a backup plate 153 which is fixed to the shaft 148. The plate sprocket is urged into frictional engagement with the plate 153 by a pressure plate 15 i slidably mounted on bolts 155 which carry compression springs 156. The bolts extend through the journal opening in the plate sprocket into the plate 153 and serve to adjust the pressure of the springs. Secured to the adjacent end of the shaft ME is a handwheel 157 for rotation of the shaft by hand in adjusting the various settings of the machine.

Secured to the other end of the shaft 148 is a drive sprocket 158 about which is trained ari endless drive chain 159. The drive chain is trained around a pair of idler sprockets 160 journaled on the frame and a driven sprocket 161 secured to one end of the shaft 67, best seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 8. Thus operation of the motor to rotate the shaft 98 in the direction of the arrow 162, as shown in F IG. 3, serves to drive the roller 45 and the gears 77 appropriately. The hub of the sprocket 161 preferably contains an overrunning clutch, not shown, to permit turning of the roller 45 by hand for feeding a mat and/or priming of the glue feeding mechanisms.

Returning toFIG. 1, another safety feature is provided in the form of a switch housing 163 carried by the sleeve portion 137 of the link 135, which housing contains a spring-pressed switch, not shown, that is connected by wiring 164 with the power circuit for the motor 149. Carried by the rod portion 136 of the link 135 is an actuating finger 165 which closes the switch when the rod and sleeve portions are locked together but pulls away upon relative sliding of the portions to permit opening of the switch and interruption of power to the motor for stopping the machine. Such interruption can be made to occur from overload due to jamming resulting from more than one container body mat 43 at a time being fed downwardly or any other reason.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the container body mat is in the assembly position 43, the lower edge of the mat engages and depresses a plate 166 secured to a plunger 167 mounted for vertical sliding movement in a housing 168 against the upward bias of a compression spring 169, the housing being secured to one of the posts 27. The plate 166 is provided with an aperture, not shown, through which a pull rod 171 is adapted to slide, the rod having an adjustable collar 172 in engagement with the underside of the plate. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper end of the rod 171 is bent and pivotally connected to a rock arm 173 fixed to a transverse rock shaft 174 joumaled on the frame and having latch fingers 175 rockable therewith. A tension spring 176 interconnects the rock arm and the rod urging the latter upwardly and holding the fingers 175 in latched position. Thus, in the absence of downward pressure on the plate 166 it is in its upwardly pressed position, the fingers 175 are disposed in front of the horizontal legs of the lower pair of angle irons 80 for preventing forward movement of the ram carriage 78 and the collar 172 engages the underside of the plate. However, when the plate 166 is depressed by the presence of a container body mat in the assembly position 43', a pull is exerted on the rod 171 for withdrawal of the fingers 175 for permitting forward movement of the carriage. As shown in FIG. 4, foradequate support of the container body mat in the assembly position, an adjustable stop 177 is mounted on the other post 27 at substantially the same level as the plate 166 when the latter is in depressed position.

Protective guards or covers 178 and 179 are attached to the sideplates l9 and 21. Additionally, cover plates, not shown, can be provided to close the spaces between the guards and the channel members 28 for further protection.

When the ram carriage 78 moves forwardly, the beveled edges 108 of the feed plates 107 engage the rear vertical edges of the leading end panels 105 and move such panels so that the leading vertical edges thereof engage the container body mat at the fold lines 53 thereof, and folding along the fold lines 49 by the plow members 110 and 111 is initiated. Also initiated is the partial folding of the end flanges 46f by plows or deflectors 181 secured to the posts 27 and having vertical planar facing portions terminating short of the presser plates 119 which plows serve to maintain the flanges 46f partly folded with continued movement of the carriage. Such continued movement completes folding of the

side panels

47 and 48 against the upper and lower horizontal edges of the end panels 105 by the plow members 110 and 111. Also, the end flanges 47fand 48f are partly folded by upper and lower pairs of plow elements 182 which are mounted on the rear crossbars 112 and 114, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. With full forward movement of the ram carriage, the partially assembled container is fully inserted into the cage structure of the compression mechanism 79 with the partially folded end flanges in engagement with the presser plates 119.

When the shafts are rocked to align or elongate the toggle mechanisms, the presser plates 119 move toward each other pressing the container against the sides of the carriage for completing the folding of the end flanges against the end panels. Such pressure is maintained for a brief period of time to enable the glue to set and adhesively bond the end flanges and panels and provide an assembled container 43a. The shafts 115 are then oppositely rocked to relieve the pressure slightly and the ram carriage is withdrawn. To preclude movement of the assembled container 43a therewith, a pair of retainer plates 183, one on each of the presser plates 119, engage behind the rear edges of the folded flanges 46f. Further rocking of the shafts 115 moves the presser plates away from the assembled container. Upper and lower leaf springs 184 are mounted on the sleeves 114s and 112s, respectively. After withdrawal of the ram carriage, the springs 184 cause the side panels and top flaps to bebowed or arched slightly inwardly for providing edges engaged by the bottom of the next container during its formation for ejecting the assembled container 43a from the compression mechanism 79.

It is understood, of course, that the cam way 96 and

cams

129 and 131 are provided with dwell portions and rises or portions with changing radii, all appropriately related to provide for the coordinated sequential action of feeding the container body mat 43, moving the carriage 78 to effect partial assembly of the container, completing the assembly of the container in the compression mechanism 79, relieving compressive pressure on the assembled container, withdrawing the carriage from the assembled container and finally releasing the assembled container.

It will be appreciated that the container forming machine of the present invention, in essence, is constructed of parts which are mirror images interconnected by sleeves for adjustability and thus provides a pair of transversely adjustable complementary portions, each with an end panel feed, each of the portions being precisely adjustable substantially as a subunit readily and easily for forming containers of various sizes.

In actual practice, the container forming machine of the present invention is capable of operating at substantially high speed, for example, at about 30 containers per minute. Because of such high speed operation, it is necessary to use a quick setting hot glue. At times it is desired to produce containers at a considerably slower rate, for example, four to five containers per minute. In such instances, however, it is not feasible merely to slow down the operation of the machine since the glue applied to the container parts sets before the parts are pressed together and thus the parts are not properly adhered or bonded.

To overcome this problem and to avoid the necessity of changing to a slower setting glue or providing other gluing mechanisms, provision is made for operating the machine at its usual high speed for a portion of each cycle of operation until the glued parts have been pressed together, after which operation is stopped for a predetermined period of time, and operation is then resumed to complete the cycle. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the near end of the shaft 98 carries a cam 185 which controls a switch 186, the cam being adjustably secured to the shaft. Best seen in FIG. 10, the cam 185 is provided with a circular periphery 187 and has a flat portion 188 and a control point 189. The switch 186 is of the normally open type and has a spring-pressed member 190 which closes the switch when pressed in by the circular portion 187 of the cam.

One side of the switch 186 is connected to a time delay relay 191 by a lead 192, the other side of the switch being connected through a start-stop switch 193 to a power line 1940. Line 194a is associated with a power line 19 4b and alternating current (AC) power is delivered to the lines through a power control switch 195. Power from line 194:: is also directed through a lead 196 to the relay 191 and returned therefrom to the line 194b through a lead 197.

The time delay relay 191 is of the type in which the time delay is variable and can be preset by adjusting a knob 198. Upon the application of power to the relay through

leads

192 and 197, reset of the relay is accomplished and the time delay cycle is initiated. At the end of the present time delay, power from the

leads

196 and 197 is applied to the output leads 199, one of which passes through the safety switch in switch housing 163. The power in leads 199 is directed to a rectifier or other suitable mechanism 200 for conversion to direct current and application to the magnetic clutch 194a for energizing the same. The time delay relay 191 and control switches 193 and 195 can be conveniently contained in a control box 201 suitably supported on one of the channel members 28, as shown in FIG. 1.

With

switches

163, 186, 193 and 195 closed, power is applied to the relay 191 and the time delay is initiated. At the end of the delay, the relay acts to apply power to the leads 199 and energize the magnetic clutch 149a. This couples the motor 149 to the sprocket 150 and the cams are rotated. With rotation of the cam 185, the switch member 190 rides off the circular portion 187 and is disposed adjacent to the flat portion 188 with the result that the switch 186 opens, stopping flow of power through lead 192. This causes the relay to remove the application of power to the leads 199 and the mag netic clutch is deenergized. However, the momentum of the moving parts of the machine cause sufficient rotation of the shaft 98 and cam 185 so that the control point 189 sweeps past the switch member 190 and switch 186 is again closed, the relay is reset and another time delay is initiated. With the relay in preset condition, the relay acts to bypass the switch 193 so that it can be opened and, after the time delay, power will be applied to energize the clutch 149a until deenergized by opening of the switch 186. The machine thus always stops with the cam 185 substantially as shown in FIG. and the relay in its reset condition.

The cam 185 is adjusted on the shaft 98 relative to the

cams

129 and 131 and cam way 196 so that the control point 189 on the cam 185 sweeps past the switch member 190 to close the switch 186 as the cam 129 acts to actuate the toggle mechanisms for pressing the container parts together after the cam way 196 acts to insert the mandrel 78 into the die 79. This stops the machine with the container parts pressed together and cam 13] holding the arm 38 up ready for feeding a mat 43.'After the preset time delay, the mat is fed down and the other related operations recommence. Of course, the time delay can be set to a minimum in which there will be no delay interposed in the operation of the machine and it will operate continuously for all practical purposes. However, when switch 193 is opened the machine will operate to stop with'the mandrel in the die and the container parts being pressed together.

OPERATlON The operation of the device of the present invention is believed to be clearly apparent as briefly summarized at this point. A sufficient supply of container body mats 43 and end panels 105 are provided in respective magazine portions thereof on the machine 11. Referring to FIG. 10, and recalling that the machine stopped with the mandrel in the die and the container parts pressed together, the power control switch 195 is closed which commences heating of the glue in the glue mechanisms 68, starts the motor 149 and applies power to the time delay relay 191 through

leads

196 and 197. With the switch 186 already closed by the action of cam 185, closure of switch 193 energizes the time delay relay 191 and power is applied through the output leads 199 for energizing the magnetic clutch 149a thereby coupling the motor to the drive sprocket 150 and rotation of the various cams recommences. The rotation of the cam 129 causes the toggle mechanisms to be reverse actuated slightly to relieve compressor pressure on the assembled container 430 and the mandrel is retracted therefrom, the retainer plates 183 engaging with the edges of the folded end flanges 46fand preventing rearward movement of the assembled container. The toggle mechanisms are then reverse actuated completely to pull the presser plates away from the assembled container and release it for ejection, the springs 184 arching upper and lower edges thereof. With the mandrel completely retracted and latched in place, downward rocking of the rock arm 38 causes the leading body mat 43 to be fed from the magazine of the feed portion 13 and the lower edge of the mat to be engaged between the

rollers

44 and 45, whereupon the mat is arched or bowed longitudinally and is drawn rapidly downwardly with a sufficient impetus to depress the plate 166 and unlatch the mandrel. During downward movement of the mat, glue is applied to the end flanges thereof. The mandrel then moves forwardly, the plow member and 111 folding the

side panels

47 and 48 against the end panels 105, plows 181 partly folding the end flanges 46f and the plow elements 182 partly folding the end flanges 47fand 48f. As the mandrel is inserted into the die, the partly formed container engages the arched edges of the assembled container for ejection thereof, and the switch member 190 rides off the circular portion 197 of the cam 185 resulting in the opening of the switch 186, and the deenergization of the magnetic clutch 1490 for uncoupling the drive sprocket from the motor. However, the momentum of the moving parts causes the mandrel to be fully inserted into the die and the flat portion 188 of the cam to move past the switch member 190 until the switch 186 is closed, with attendant resetting of the relay 191 and the initiation of the time delay cycle. With full insertion of the mandrel and partially assembled container into the die, the toggle mechanisms are actuated causing the presser plates to complete folding of the end flanges and press them against the end panels for adhesively bonding the container parts together. After the preset time delay, operation recommences and another cycle is repeated. Should the switch 193 then be opened, the current cycle of operation will be completed and the machine will stop with the mandrel in the die and the parts of the container pressed together.

There has thus been provided a method and machine for forming containers which is of compact and relatively inexpensive construction and operates in a facile and reliable manner for forming containers from vertically disposed body mats and end panels.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred method and apparatus, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent methods and apparatus.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for forming a container comprising a frame, means on the frame for feeding a substantially flat foldable container body blank edgewardly in a substantially vertical plane to an assembly position, means on the frame for feeding a pair of end panels to said assembly position into engagement with the blank in substantially right angular relation thereto, coacting mandrel and die means on the frame operable concurrently to thrust the blank and the end panels substantially horizontally in a direction normal to the plane of the blank and to fold the blank about the end panels, means for applying adhesive to edge portions of the blank during feeding thereof, and powered means for simultaneously pressing said edge portions against the end panels while the body blank is held by the mandrel and die means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the means for feeding the blank includes a magazine for supporting a plurality of the blanks substantially vertically, powered roller means disposed below the magazine, and an elevationally reciprocal barbed element successively engageable with the blanks positively to feed said blanks downwardly to the roller means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the barbed element is reciprocated by telescoping parts releaasably locked together and adapted to unlock in the event of jamming for rendering inoperative said barbed element.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the mandrel is horizontally reciprocal between the assembly position and a retracted position and including a latch engageable with the mandrel to retain it in retracted position, and means responsive to the presence of a blank in the assembly position for unlatching the latch to release the mandrel.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the mandrel and die means includes a substantially stationary die and a mandrel of fixed transverse dimensions reciprocal to and from the die, means on the mandrel to carry the end panels with the blank into the die, said mandrel and die means partially forming the container and the die having opposite sides, compression means on said opposite sides of the die reciprocal to and from the die to engage and complete formation of a container therein, and retainer means associated with the compression means for retaining the assembled container in the compression means when the mandrel moves from the die.

6. An apparatus for forming containers comprising a mandrel having fixed transverse dimensions; a hollow constrictible and distendable die adapted to receive the mandrel; and synchronous means for successively thrusting the mandrel into the die while the die is distended, constricting the die while the mandrel is therein, distending the die while the mandrel is therein, retracting the mandrel while the mandrel, blank and end panels are therein, retracting the mandrel while the die is distended, and feeding a container forming blank between the mandrel and die while the mandrel is retracted.

7. An apparatus for forming a container comprising a mandrel providing a face adapted to receive a container forming blank thereagainst and opposite sides adapted to receive end panels thereagainst in edgeward engagement with the blank; a die; means for reciprocating the mandrel between a forming position within the die and a retracted position, the mandrel having fixed dimensions transversely of its path of reciprocation and about which the container is formed, the die having substantially parallel compression walls on opposite sides of the mandrel mounted for movement toward and from the mandrel when the latter is disposed in forming position; and synchronous drive means moving the mandrel, blank and end panels into the die when the compression walls are retracted, thrusting the compression walls inwardly while the mandrel, blank and end panels are in forming position, partially retracting the compression walls to release the mandrel while the mandrel is in forming position while maintaining the container in formed confinement, retracting the mandrel while the compression walls are partially retracted, and subsequently fully retracting the compression walls to release the container for ejection by the following container.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 including means for feeding a body blank of foldable sheet material between the mandrel and die when the mandrel is retracted, said feeding means including means engageable with opposite edges of the blank defining edge traversing tracks disposed in a common erect plane, and means intermediate the tracks flexing the blank between the tracks from said plane whereby the blank is arched transversely of its direction of feed to impart greater rigidity thereto.

9. A method of forming a container from a pair of end panels and a container body blank of generally rectangular planar form having contiguous substantially rectangular bottom and side panels extended transversely of the body blank and flanges at opposite ends of said panels along opposite sides of the body blank comprising a. feeding the body blank disposed in a substantially erect plane edgewardly longitudinally downwardly into a predetermined forming station;

b. subsequently feeding the pair of end panels into the forming station disposed in substantially erect parallel planes substantially perpendicularly into engagement with the bottom panel of the body blank inwardly adjacent to the end flanges thereof;

c. partly folding the bottom panel end flanges outwardly over the end panels;

d. folding the blank side panels substantially horizontally into engagement with the end panels inwardly adjacent to the end flanges ofthe side panels;

e. subsequently partly folding the side panel end flanges outwardly over the end panels; and

f. simultaneously compressing the several end flanges into engagement with the end panels and securing said flanges thereto.

10. The method of claim 9 in which adhesive is applied to the end flanges simultaneously with the vertical feeding of the container body blank.

11. In an apparatus for forming containers from container blanks, a magazine comprising a pair of inclined ramps adapted to engage opposite sides of the blanks and to support the blanks in substantial vertical disposition thereon, the ramps having lower discharge ends to which the blanks gravitate; restraining means at the discharge ends of the ramps releasably holding the blanks on the ramps; and blank feeding means engageable with the endmost blank on the ramps operative to move such blank downwardly in a substantially vertical plane past the lower ends of the ramps against the holding action of the restraining means. 4

12. The apparatus of claim 11 in which the means for feeding the blank includes a driven roller disposed to one side of said vertical plane, said roller being operative to engage the blank for bowing thereof and thereby stiffening and straightening the blank for improved guidance thereof.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the end panels are disposed generally vertically, and the feeding means therefor includes a ramp supporting the lower edges thereof for gravitational movement therealong, and means engageable with the upper edges of the panels for limiting tilting ofthe panels from said general vertical disposition.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 in which said last-named means includes a plate in facing relation to the ramp and parallel thereto, said plate being spaced from the ramp to provide a relatively small clearance between the plate and the upper edges of the panels in the vertical disposition thereof.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the blank feeding means and the coacting mandrel and die means include a pair of transversely adjustable complementary portions, each having a panel feeding means associated therewith, and means supporting each of the portions and its panel feeding means for adjustment substantially as a subunit relative to the other subunit for forming containers of various sizes.

16. The apparatus of claim 3 including electrical drive means for the feeding means, mandrel and die means and barbed element; and a switch in series with the drive means and operably associated with the telescopic parts to complete a circuit to the drive means when the telescopic parts are locked and to interrupt such circuit when the telescopic parts are unlocked.

H7. The apparatus of claim 6 including stripper means reciprocable between stripping positions adjacent to the mandrel to block retraction of containers formed in the die with retraction of the mandrel and retracted positions spaced from the mandrel, said synchronous means holding the stripper means in stripping positions while the mandrel is retracted and holding the stripper means in retracted positions while the mandrel is thrust into die.

18. The apparatus of claim I in which the restraining means comprises contact means disposed in a vertical plane engageable with a side of the endmost blank adjacent to opposite edges thereof, and a roller engageable with the opposite side of the blank intermediate the contact means and disposed in relation to the plane of the contact means so as to arch the panel therebetween.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the blank feeding means, the end panel feeding means, the die means, the adhesive applying means, and the pressing means each includes a pair of opposed, complementary subunits adjustably spaced transversely of the apparatus and juxtapositioned to constitute their respective means; and means releasably interconnecting the subunits in correspondingly adjustably spaced juxtaposition to form containers of corresponding dimensions.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 in which the interconnecting means includes a pair of substantially horizontal parallel bars mounted in the frame transversely of the apparatus; a pair of substantially horizontal parallel rails supported on the bars and extended longitudinally of the apparatus; posts individual to the rails rigidly mounted on their respective rails and upwardly extended therefrom, each rail and its post constituting a frame subunit; means mounting the subunits of the feeding means, die means, adhesive applying means and pressing means in juxtaposition on opposite subunits of the frame; and releasable means mounting the rails on the bars in adjustably spaced relation whereby spacing the rails automatically correspondingly spaces the subunits of the frame, feeding means, die means, adhesive applying means, and pressing means.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 in which the mandrel also consists of opposed, complementary subunits spaced transversely of the apparatus, and includes telescopically adjustable means interconnecting the subunits of the mandrel in adjustably spaced relation.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 including a pair of mandrel tracks; and means mounting the tracks individually on the frame subunits in horizontal parallel relation extended longitudinally of the apparatus for automatically spaced adjustment with the means borne by the frame subunits.

23. An adjustable container forming apparatus comprising blank feeding means, die means, and mandrel means reciprocal to and from the die means along a predetermined path to form blanks into containers therein each consisting of a pair of complementary subunits adjustably spaced transversely of said path and juxtapositioned to constitute their respective means; a frame having a pair of substantially horizontal parallel bars disposed transversely of said path, and a pair of substantially horizontal parallel rails supported on the bars longitudinally of said path; means mounting said subunits on respective rails with the subunits of each means in cooperative juxtaposition; and means releasably securing the rails to the bars in adjustable spaced relation whereby the subunits borne thereby are correspondingly adjustably spaced.

Claims

3. The apparatus of claim 2 In which the barbed element is reciprocated by telescoping parts releasably locked together and adapted to unlock in the event of jamming for rendering inoperative said barbed element.

9. A method of forming a container from a pair of end panels and a container body blank of generally rectangular planar form having contiguous substantially rectangular bottom and side panels extended transversely of the body blank and flanges at opposite ends of said panels along opposite sides of the body blank comprising a. feeding the body blank disposed in a substantially erect plane edgewardly longitudinally downwardly into a predetermined forming station; b. subsequently feeding the pair of end panels into the formiNg station disposed in substantially erect parallel planes substantially perpendicularly into engagement with the bottom panel of the body blank inwardly adjacent to the end flanges thereof; c. partly folding the bottom panel end flanges outwardly over the end panels; d. folding the blank side panels substantially horizontally into engagement with the end panels inwardly adjacent to the end flanges of the side panels; e. subsequently partly folding the side panel end flanges outwardly over the end panels; and f. simultaneously compressing the several end flanges into engagement with the end panels and securing said flanges thereto.

11. In an apparatus for forming containers from container blanks, a magazine comprising a pair of inclined ramps adapted to engage opposite sides of the blanks and to support the blanks in substantial vertical disposition thereon, the ramps having lower discharge ends to which the blanks gravitate; restraining means at the discharge ends of the ramps releasably holding the blanks on the ramps; and blank feeding means engageable with the endmost blank on the ramps operative to move such blank downwardly in a substantially vertical plane past the lower ends of the ramps against the holding action of the restraining means.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the end panels are disposed generally vertically, and the feeding means therefor includes a ramp supporting the lower edges thereof for gravitational movement therealong, and means engageable with the upper edges of the panels for limiting tilting of the panels from said general vertical disposition.

17. The apparatus of claim 6 including stripper means reciprocable between stripping positions adjacent to the mandrel to block retraction of containers formed in the die with retraction of the mandrel and retracted positions spaced from the mandrel, said synchronous means holding the stripper means in stripping positions while the mandrel is retracted and holding the stripper means in retracted positions while the mandrel is thrust into die.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the restraining means comprises contact means disposed in a vertical plane engageable with a side of the endmost blank adjacent to opposite edges thereof, and a roller engageable with the opposite side of the blank intermediate the contact means and disposed in relation to the plane of the contact means so as to arch the panel therebetween.