US3667751A

US3667751A - Carton blank aligning apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3667751A
Application number: US94481A
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter Zernov; Thomas H Gabel; Norman C Abler
Original assignee: Zerand Corp
Current assignee: VALUMACO INCORPORATED A DELAWARE BANKING Corp; Zerand Corp
Priority date: 1970-12-02
Filing date: 1970-12-02
Publication date: 1972-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 1989-06-06

Abstract

A CARTON BLANK ALIGNING APPARATUS INCLUDING A NUMBER OF PLOWS SUPPORTED IN A PARALLEL SPACED RELATION ON EACH SIDE OF FILES OF CARTON BLANKS BEING CONVEYED IN A SHINGLED RELATION ON A CONVEYOR, THE PLOWS BEING SUPPORTED FOR VIBRATORY MOTION ON A PAIR OF LEAF SPRINGS. A VIBRATING DEVICE IS USED TO VIBRATE THE PLOW SUPPORT TO REALIGN THE EDGES OF ANY CANTED CARTON BLANKS WITH THE EDGES OF THE FILES. A RAMP IS PROVIDED IN THE CONVEYOR TO ELEVATE THE LEADING EDGE OF THE CARTON BLANKS AS THEY MOVE BETWEEN THE PLOWS, AND A ROLLER IS USED TO AID THE MOVEMENT OF THE BLANKS AS THEY ENTER THE SPACE BETWEEN THE PLOWS.

Description

June 6, 1972 P. ZERNOV 4ETAL 3,667,751

CARTON BLANK ALIGNING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 2, 1970 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 6, 1972 P. ZERNOV ETAL 3,667,751

CARTON BLANK ALIGNING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 2, 1970 3 Sheets-Sheet 8 United States Patent fice 3,667,751 CARTON BLANK ALIGNING APPARATUS Peter Zernov, Wauwatosa, Thomas H. Gabel, Menomonee Falls, and Norman C. Abler, Wauwatosa, Wis., assignors to Zerand Corporation, New Berlin, Wis.

Filed Dec. 2, 1970, Ser. No. 94,481 Int. Cl. B65h 9/04 US. Cl. 271-49 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A carton blank aligning apparatus including a number of plows supported in a parallel spaced relation on each side of files of carton blanks being conveyed in a shingled relation on a conveyor, the plows being supported for vibratory motion on a pair of leaf springs. A vibrating device is used to vibrate the plow support to realign the edges of any canted carton blanks with the edges of the files. A ramp is provided in the conveyor to elevate the leading edge of the carton blanks as they move between the plows, and a roller is used to aid the movement of the blanks as they enter the space between the plows.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Carton blanks are generally conveyed in files in a shingled relation from a cutting, scoring or printing machine to a stacker. Normally, a jogging type stacker is used which jogs the carton blanks into a vertical stack as they come off of the conveyor. However, if any of the carton blanks are canted or skewed as they enter the stacker, the skewed carton blank will cause the stacker to jam resulting in a loss of time due to shutdown and sometimes damage to the blanks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The carton blank aligning apparatus of the present invention is used to realign the edges of any canted or skewed carton blank with the edges of the files prior to delivery of the carton blanks to a stacker or any other apparatus for further operations. This apparatus includes a number of plows having downwardly angled leading edges which form tips located just above the belts of the conveyor. A plow is located along each edge of the files and is supported for vibratory motion on a pair of leaf springs. A pneumatic vibrator or an eccentric drive assembly is secured to the plow supports to vibrate the plows rapidly to realign any carton blanks which may be canted or skewed. A ramp is provided under the conveyor belt to elevate the leading edge of the carton blanks as they enter the space between the plows so that the carton blank does not go under the plow and to allow the carton blank to drop downward between plows. If a carton blank is canted, it will be vibrated into an aligned relation with the file. The conveyor belt is S-wrapped around a pair of rollers provided at the end of the ramp to aid in moving each of the carton blanks into the space between the plows. The roller above the conveyor belt is rotated counter to the direction of motion of the belts to prevent backup of the carton blanks as they leave the ramp. Setup time has been reduced by making its possible to set the plows on the support at a point remote from the conveyor.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

3,667,751 Patented June 6, 1972 THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a conveyor showing the apparatus of the invention mounted on the conveyor;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the conveyor of FIG. 1 showing two files of carton blanks being conveyed in a shingled relation;

FIG. 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing one of the leaf springs with a pneumatic vibrator attached to the outside of the leaf spring and the quick relief attachment for the cross bar on the inside of the leaf spring;

FIG. 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the adjustment assembly for aligning the plows on the conveyor;

FIG. 5 is a side view in elevation of FIG. 1 showing the carton aligning apparatus of this invention showing an alternate vibrating assembly for the plows;

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing the modified vibrating assembly;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6 showing the eccentric drive for vibrating the plows; and

FIG. 8 is a view taken on line 88 of FIG. 2 showing the roller support assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The carton aligning apparatus 10 of the present invention is used in conjunction with a belt type conveyor 12 to straighten the edges of files 14 of carton blanks 16. The conveyor 12 generally includes a frame 18 formed by a pair of side channel members 20 connected by plates 22 and supported on a number of legs (not shown). A roller 26 (only one shown) is journalled for rotation on each end of the frame 18 and a number of belts 28 are mounted on the rollers 26 and are supported by the plates 22 to form the belt type conveyor 12. The conveyor can be driven by any conventional means connected to either of the rollers 26. The conveyor as contemplated herein is used to convey a number of files 14 of carton blanks 16 in a shingled or overlapping relation to a stacker. Such conveyors are generally positioned at the discharge end of cutting, scoring and/or printing machines which discharge the carton blanks 16 continuously onto the conveyor for movement to a stacker infeed conveyor 25.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided on the conveyor 12 for straightening the files or aligning the edges of any canted or skewed carton blanks 16 with the edges of the files 14. Such means is in the form of a number of dividers 30 supported on a cross bar 32 in a parallel relation and closely adjacent to the edges of the carton blanks 16 in each of the files 14. The cross bar 32 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 6 includes a graduated scale 31 and is supported on the conveyor 12 by means of leaf springs 24 connected to each end of the cross bar 32 and secured to the channel members 20.

Dividers More particularly as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the dividers 30 is moulded in the form of a rectangular panel or plow 36 having a rearwardly inclined edge 38 which tapers downwardly to form a tip 40. A bevel 39 is provided on each side of the edge 38 to provide a means for guiding the edges of any skewed carton blank into alignment with the edges of the files 14. The lower edge 42 of the plow 36 is located in close proximity to the conveyor belts 28 but is spaced far enough not to interfere with the movement of the conveyor belts 28.

The plows 36 are supported on the cross bar 32 by means of C-clamps 44 having hand screws 46 positioned for movement into engagement with the top of the cross bar. It should be apparent that the plows 36 can be moved transversely along the cross bar and can quickly and easily be set at the appropriate width to engage the edge of the file by aligning the plows 36 with the scale on the cross bar.

Plow adjustment assembly (FIGS. 2 and 4) Means are provided for moving the plows 36 transversely a short distance if the files and plows 36 are misaligned. Such means is in the form of an adjustable mounting assembly 71. This assembly 71 includes a bracket 73 secured to the side member 20. The leaf spring 24 is seated in a groove 77 in a slide block 79 which is mounted for sliding movement on the bracket 73 and has a threaded aperture 81. The block 79 is moved toward and away from the side member 20 by means of a screw 83 which is journalled for rotation in the bracket 73 and threaded through the aperture 81 in the block 79. A hand wheel 75 is provided on the end of the screw 83.

The block 79 is guided on the bracket by means of a screw 85 threaded into the block 79 and extending through a groove 87 in the bracket. The block 79 is locked in position on the bracket by a plate 89 mounted on the screw 85 for movement into engagement with bracket 73. A hand wheel 95 can be provided on the end of screw 85 to aid in seating the block 89 against the bracket 73. Since both leaf springs 24 are moved by the motion of block 79, the movement of one of the springs 24 will be partially offset by the motion of the other spring 24. In this regard, the plows 36 Will only move one-half the distance of movement of block 79.

Disconnect assembly (FIGS. 1 and 3) Means are provided for disconnecting the cross bar 32 from the leaf springs 24 to allow for set-up of the plows 36 on the cross bar 32 at a point remote from the conveyor 12. Such means as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 is in the form of a clamp assembly 33 secured to the inside surface of the leaf springs 24 by bolts 35. In this regard, the clamp assembly 33 includes a mounting block 37 having a central rectangular opening 41 which is open on side 43. The opening 41 is shaped to receive one end of the cross bar 32 which is pushed into the mounting block through the open side 43. The end of the cross bar 32 is seated against leaf spring 24 by means of a hand screw 45 having a pointed end 47 which engages a recess 49 provided in the end of the cross bar 32. It should be noted that the recess 49 is conical in shape and cooperates with the pointed end 47 of the screw 45 to cam the end of the bar 32 against the leaf spring 24.

Vibrating apparatus (FIGS. 1 and 3) The plows 36 are vibrated by means of a pneumatic vibrator 74 as seen in FIG. 3 which is mounted directly on one of the leaf springs 24 by the bolts 35. Any commercial- 1y available vibrator can be used for vibrating the plows 36. A Branford vibrator has been used successfully operating at approximately 1750 cycles per minute. In this type of vibrator the cycles and force of the vibration can be adjusted as desired. The vibrations are transmitted directly from the vibrator 74 to the cross bar 32 to vibrate the plows 36.

The plows 36, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 can also be vibrated by means of an eccentric drive assembly 48 connected to the end of the cross shaft 32 by a lever arm 50. In this regard, the lever arm 50 is pivotally mounted on a bracket 52 located on the side of the channel member 20 and is pivotally connected to the end of the cross shaft 32 by means of a pivot pin 34. The lower end of the lever arm 50 is pivotally connected to a link 56 by a pin 55. The link 56 is connected to the eccentric drive assembly by an eccentric shaft 58 which is journalled for rotation in a bearing 60 provided in a bracket 52 on the bottom of the frame 18 and extends through an aperture 59 in the end of the link 56. The eccentric shaft 58 is driven by means of a pulley 64 mounted on a pulley shaft 65 which is connected to the eccentric shaft 58. It should be noted (FIG. 7) that the axis 63 of the pulley shaft 65 is offset from the axis 67 of the eccentric shaft 58. The eccentric drive assembly is driven by means of a motor 68 having a drive pulley 70 operatively connected to the pulley 64 by a belt 72. In the embodiment shown, a motor operating at 1750 r.p.m. has been used to produce vibrations through the link 56 and lever arm 50 and the plows 36.

Ramp

The carton blanks are fanned or separated prior to dropping between each pair of plows 36 by means of an inclined ramp 76 which is secured to the frame members 20 in a transverse relation to the direction of motion of the belts 28. The ramp 76 is positioned beneath the belts 28 so that the belts drop oif the end of the ramp as they pass below the plows 36. As the carton blanks 16 move off the end of the ramp 76, the leading edge will normally drop free between the plows 36. If the blank 16 is canted, the leading side edge will drop against the beveled edge 39 of the plow and will be guided back into alignment with the files 14. The movement of the carton blanks back into alignment with the files is aided by the vibratory motion of the plows when the carton blank engages the beveled edge 39.

In the event that the leading edge of the carton blank does not drop otf the beveled edge of the plow, means are provided at the upper end of the leading edge 38 to guide or push the carton blank back in between the plows. Such means is in the form of a flange 80 molded on the sides of each of the plows 36. The guide flange 80 extends downward at an angle toward the conveyor to force the leading edge of the carton blank between the plows 36.

The carton blanks 16 and belts 28 are pressed downward onto the ramp 76 to assure proper separation of the blanks as they drop off the end of the ramp 76 by means of an idler roll 78 provided at the end of the ramp 76. The idler roll is supported on the end of an arm 93 which is pivotally connected by a shaft 82 to a pair of brackets 84 secured to each side of the frame 18. The idler roll can be adjusted with respect to the ramp 76 by sliding the idler roll on the arm 93 and securing it in position by means of a set screw 97.

Guide roller assembly Means are provided for aiding the movement of the carton blanks 16 as they leave the end of the ramp 76. Such means is in the form of a pair of

rollers

86 and 88 positioned at the end of the ramp 76. The roller 86 is located at the end of the ramp 76 beneath the belts 28 and is knurled so that it is driven by the motion of the conveyor belts 28. The roller 88 is located in a parallel spaced relation to the roller 86 and is driven in the same direction of rotation as the roller 86 by means of a gear assembly 100 as described below. The belts 28 are S- wrapped over the roller 86 and under the roller 88 and therefore move in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of the roller 88. As the carton blanks 16 move from the ramp 76 and onto the surface of the roller 88, the roller 88 which is rotating counter to the direction of motion of the belt will carry the carton blanks into the space between plows 36. The carton blanks will then drop between the plows 36.

In this last regard, the

rollers

86 and 88 are journalled for rotation in brackets 90 provided on each side of the conveyor 18.

Gears

92 and 94 of equal diameter are secured to the ends of the

rollers

86 and 88 respectively. An idler gear 96 is positioned to transfer the motion of the roller 66 and roller 88. As noted above, the roller 86 is knurled and is driven by the movement of the belts 28. The

roller 88 is smooth and is driven at the same speed as roller 86.

Roller support (FIG. 8)

Means can be provided for supporting the center of the rollers 86 to prevent bending of the roller into engagement with the surface of plate 22. In this regard, it should be noted that the belts 28 impose a downward force on the rollers 86. The roller 86 is therefore supported by a pair of idler wheels 102 journalled for rotation in plates 104 which are secured to the plate 22.

Resum The apparatus of the present invention provides for the realignment of any skewed carton blanks with the files on the conveyor. The plows are molded from a lightweight plastic material which makes it possible to assemble the plows on the cross bar at a point remote from the conveyor. The cross bar can then be easily assembled on the conveyor resulting in a minimum loss of shut down time in operating the conveyor. Minor adjustments in setting the plows can be made by the adjustment assembly 71 What is claimed is:

1. A mrton blank aligning apparatus for aligning files of carton blanks being conveyed in a shingled relation on a belt type conveyor, said apparatus comprising:

dividers positioned on the sides of each file of carton blanks on the conveyor,

means for temporarily detaching said carton blanks from the file for freedom of movement into the space between said dividers,

means for supporting said dividers for vibratory motion,

and means for vibrating said supporting means to realign the edges of any canted carton blank with the edges of the files.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said dividers has a downwardly tapered leading edge, said edge being beveled toward the files of carton blanks.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 including means on said dividers for guiding the carton blanks downwardly toward the files.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said detaching means includes means for elevating the front edge of the carton blanks prior to movement into the space between the dividers.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said detaching means includes a high speed idler roll to accelerate the movement of the carton blanks as they leave said elevating means.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said elevating means comprises an inclined ramp located beneath the conveyor and said detaching means comprises an idler roll positioned at the end of the ramp.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said supporting means includes a pair of leaf springs mounted on each side of said conveyor.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vibrating means includes an eccentric drive assembly peratively connected to said support means.

9. A carton blank aligning apparatus for aligning the edges of carton blanks being conveyed in a shingled relation in files on a belt type conveyor, said apparatus including:

a cross bar,

a number of plows mounted on said cross bar in a parallel spaced relation, each of said plows being positioned to engage the edges of each file of carton blanks on the conveyor and having a downwardly tapered edge beveled toward the files,

means for supporting said cross bar for vibratory motion transverse to the direction of motion of the files of cartons,

and means for vibrating said plows to align the edges of any canted carton blanks with the edges of the files.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 including an inclined ramp positioned beneath the belt on the conveyor and spaced from the leading edge of said plows to elevate the carton blanks prior to entering the space between the plow.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 including a pair of rollers positioned at the end of the ramp, one of said rollers being positioned above the belt and rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said belts to aid in moving the carton blanks into the plows.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the other of said rollers is positioned beneath the belt between the end of said ramp and said one of said rollers.

13. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein each of said plows includes a downwardly inclined flange to direct the edges of any canted blanks downwardly toward the file of carton blanks.

14. The apparatus according to claim 9 including means for releasably securing said cross bar to said supporting means.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said supporting means includes a pair of leaf springs.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15 including means for adjustably supporting one of said leaf springs whereby said plows can be transversely adjusted.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,361,426 1/ 1968 Pawlikowski et al. 271-49 X 50 3,193,080 7/1965 Speaker 198-30 X 3,469,672 9/1969 Statske et al 19830 2,192,518 3/ 1940 Eissmann 198-30 3,388,906 6/1968 Attwood et al 271-89 EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner B. H. STONER, JR., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 271-59, 89