US664458A

US664458A - Machine for making paper boxes.

Info

Publication number: US664458A
Application number: US69650998A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles H Brooks
Original assignee: MERRELL SOULE CO
Current assignee: MERRELL-SOULE Co; MERRELL SOULE CO
Priority date: 1898-11-15
Filing date: 1898-11-15
Publication date: 1900-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 1917-12-25

Description

No. 664,458. Patented Dec. 25, I900.

I C. H. BROOKS. MACHINE .FOR'MAKI NG PAPER BOXES (Applicntipn filed Nov. 15, 1898.]

5 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

| l l I I J I I x l 4 I l I I llll n4: Nana's PETERS 00.. muvoumo. WASHINGTON. a c.

No. 664,458. Patented D60. 25, 1900.

c. u. BROOKS.

'MAGHINE FOR MAKING PAPER BO XES.

Ap lication filed Nov. 15, 1898.)

(No Model.) 5 sheets-sheet z.

YHi Noam: wzrzns c0, PHOTO-LITHOU WASHINGTON, n. c,

-Patq nted Dec, 25, I900.

No. 664,458. I

' c. H; anooxs.

MACHINE FUR MAKING PAPER BOXES.

(Application filed Nov. 15, 1896.)

(No Model.)

7 5 SheetsShaet 3 4. M. m, lam /Z501? m WW m c. H. snooxs.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PAPER BOXES. (Application filed Nov. 1 5, 1898.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Patented Dec. 25, I900.

m: Noam: Farms '50 PHOTO-LITHO, whsm wmu. n. c.

(Application filed Nov. 15, 1898.) (No llodul.) 5 ShBBtt-SITOBI 5.

Patentd 1m. 25, I900.

[EDIE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:

CHARLES H. nooKs, or SYRAOUSIE,1\TEW YoBK, AssIGNoR To me MER ELL-so'uL COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE."

SPECIFIGATIQN forming part of Letters Patent 1%. 664,458, dated Q 5} 5 Application filed November 15,1895. tlerialNo.ii96,509. emit To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that LCHARLES H. BROOKS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Making Paper Boxes, of which the following is a specifica tion.

This invention relates to a machine. which is more especially designed for closing the.

bottoms of the four-sided paper or cardboard boxes or cartons which are used for putting up various kinds of merchandise-for instance, dry or comparatively dry food preparations. posed of four flaps-two side flaps, which are folded down first, arear flap, which is folded against and pasted to the side flaps, and a The mechanisms which are embodied in my improved machine are, briefly stated, the following: An intermittently-moving endless feed-chain or traveling carrier is provided with numerous four-sided holders, on each. of which a box or carton blank is placed in. an inverted position by the operator as the. holders pass by the operator. In this position the four bottom flaps of the blank project upwardly from each holder and are in this position presented by the movement of the feed-chain to the paste-applying mechanism, which latter applies the paste, gum, or mucilage to the rear and front flaps. The following movements of the feed-chain present theblank to the mechanisms by which the two side flaps are folded upon the top of the holder, the gummed rear flap is folded down upon the side flaps, and the gummed front flap is folded down upon the rear flap. All of these operations take place on the upper portion of the horizontal feed-chain from I which the four-sided blank-holders project upwardly, while they project downwardly from the lower portion of the chain. The

In these boxes the bottom is com-.

Fig. 1.

dry the boxes are presented to an ejecting mechanism, by which each box is removed fromits holder. The tops of these boxes or cartons are also each composed of four flaps; but theseremain open until the box has been filled and are usually so constructed that they must be closed by hand. When the top flaps are also so constructed that they can be secured by pasting, the herein-described mechanisms for applying the paste and folding the flaps can be used for performing these operations in closing the boxes after they have been filled. Inthat case'a second machine is provided which has the holders on the feed-chain constructed to receive the filled boxes, with the top flaps projecting upwardly therefrom, the gumrning or pasting mechanism and the folding mechanism being constructed and arranged to operate as in the first-mentioned machine.

This invention is therefore not limited to 1 devices for closing the bottom flaps of boxblanks, but embraces also devices for closing similar top flaps of filled boxes.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of five sheets, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine. Fig. 2 isa top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section, on an enlarged scale, in line Fig. 4 is a similar fragmentary section showing a subsequent position of the same parts. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section ,on an enlarged scale,through the gu m ming mechanism in line 5 5, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a similar fragmentary section showing a subsequent position of the same parts. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the bearing of the upper gummiug-roller. Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of the folding mechanism inline.

8 8, Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a similar section showing a subsequent position of the parts. Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical section through the mechanism which completes the folding, on an enlarged scale, in line 10 10, Fig. 1. Fig.

11 is a transverse vertical section, on' an enlarged scale, through the driving-wheel of the 12 is a horizontal section, on an enlarged scale,

, of one of the blank holders or carriers, showwhich the front flap is folded down.

ing the movable folding and clamping jaw of the holder closed against the same. Fig. 13 is a detached bottom plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the pivoted folding-fingers by which the side flaps of the bottom are folded down, the sliding folding-bar by whichthe rear flap is folded down, and the blade on the folding andclamping jaw of the holder by Fig. 14.- is a similar view showing the same parts ina subsequent position. Fig. 15 is a fragmentary longitudinal section,on an enlarged scale,

of the ejector mechanism in line 15 15, Fig. 2. Fig. 16 is a horizontal longitudinal section in line 16 16, Fig.,15. Fig. 17 is a transverse'sectioninline 17l7,,Fig..15. Fig. 18 is a perspective View of oneof the gripping-jaws of the ejecton; Figsr'l9, 20, and 21 are perspec tive views of one of the boxes or cartons inverted, showing the bottom flaps in diiferent positions. Fig. 22 isa perspective view'of a filled box having top flaps to be closed by pasting. Fig. 23 is a vertical section of one of the holders suitable for holding such a filled box in presenting the same to the gumming and folding mechanisms. Fig. 24 is a crosssection in line 2424:, Fig. 23, but showing the folding-jaw closed.

Like characters of reference refer to likeparts in the several figures.

The main frame of the machine consists, essentially, of a longitudinal bed A, provided near each end with a pair of supporting-legs a and a lateral extension A on its rear side.

The feed-chain, belt, or traveling carrier 8 passes around polyonal supporting-wheels b b, arranged at opposite ends of the bed, and its upper horizontal portion runs over a horizontal guide or rail b arranged lengthwise on top of the bed, while its lower horizontal portion runs over a horizontal guide or rail b arranged lengthwise below the bed and supported from the latter by hangers b, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 11. supporting-wheels is mounted on a transverse shaft b which'is journaled in-bearings on the under side of the bed. An intermittent forward movement is imparted to the feed-chain by a ratchet mechanism consisting of a pawlarm 0, hung loosely on the shaft of the rear chain-wheel b, and a pawl a, sliding transversely in the pawl-arm and held yieldingly in the path of the ratchet-teeth c on the side of the wheel b by a spring as shown in Figs. 1 andll. The pawl-arm is oscillated by a pitman 0 connected at one end to said arm and at its opposite end to a crank 0, ar-

ranged on the front end of a counter-shaft 0 The latter is jonrnaled in bearings on the main frame and is driven at a reduced speed from the main driving-shaft c by a pinion 0 arranged on the main shaft and meshing with a gear-wheel c on the counter-shaft, as shown in Fig. 2. The main shaft is journaled in Each of the bearings onthe main frame and is-coupled with or uncoupled from a driving-pulley 0 mounted thereon, by a clutch 0 Each of the chain-linksis provided with a car Tier or holder D, suitable for receiving a boxblank in an inverted position -that is, with the bottom flaps at the outer end of the holder. Each holder consists of an open four-sided frame having the form and size of the body of the box' or carton blank and a flat top or outer end 01, against which the bottom flaps of the box are folded. The lower end of the holder is provided with a base or enlargement forming a shoulder 01, with which the ends of the cover-'flapsof the box engage and which limit the downward movement of the box on the holder, so as to cause the bottom flaps to project upwardly beyond the upper flat end d of the holder, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 8. Theholders maybe secured to the links in any suitable way, the meansshown in the :d'rawings'consisting of depending lips or flanges d arranged on the base of the holders and secured to the innerside'of the links by screws.

, Each blank-holder is provided on its front side with a folding-jaw E, which is pivoted at its lower or'innerend to the base of the holder and carriesvat its upper end a rearwardly-projecting folding-blade e, by which the front flap of the box is folded down. This folding-jaw is provided on opposite sides of its outer end with spring clasps or fingers e, which when the jaw is closed, against the holder engage against opposite sides of the blank-body carried by the holder, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, and by frictional resistance prevent the jaw from swinging open. The opening movement of the jaw is limited by shoulders e formed thereon adjacent'to its pivot and adapted to engage with the base of the holder, as shown in Figs. 5, 6', and 8.

The box-blanks are placed upon the holders by the operator, while the holders pass along the front or receiving end of the bed with the four bottom flaps standing up straight, as shown in Figs. 1, 2,'and 19. Each blank is then advanced to and stands still at the pasting or gu mining mechanism, whereby paste or gum is applied to the front and rear liaps, and which is constructed as follows:

F represents a trough or receptacle containing the supply of paste or gum for gumtning the bottom flaps and which is arranged on the front side of the machine and in front of the upper line of holders by a bracket f,

main shaft 0 by intermeshing bevel gear- ITO wheels f f, secured, respectively, to the front end of the main shaft, and a short shaftf journaled in a bearing in the adjacent leg of the frame, and a belt f passing around pulleys f f mounted on the shaft f and the shaft of the paste-supply roller, respectively, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5. The supply roller is journaled in stationary bearings on the bracket f. In order to per mit of varying the amount of paste which the delivery-roller receives from the supplyroller, the delivery-roller is made adjustable toward and from the supply-roller. For this purpose each end of the shaft of the delivcry-roller is journaled in a bearingf, which is adjustable vertically in a wayf arranged on the bracketf, by means of a springf engaging with the underside and a set-screw bottom flaps of the box-blank. 5

forth andup and down above the blank. The

body, with its bot-tom and cover flaps, is most clearly shown in Figs. 19, 20, and 21, in which 1 represents the four-sided body of the blank, and 2 the cover-flaps, whichproject downwardly, as the blank is shown in the inverted position in which it is operated upon by the machine. The four bottom flaps are the only flaps which are operated upon by the machine, and consist of two narrow opposing flaps 3, which are first. folded down .and which fold in the longitudinal direction of the feed-chain, and two wider opposing flaps 4 and 5, which fold crosswise of the feed-chain. The first-mentioned flaps 3 are first folded down and are called the side flaps. The flap 4.-,which stands farthest from the paste-receptacle, is next folded down and is called the-rear flap, and the flap .5, which stands nearest the paste-receptacle, is last folded down and is called the front flap.

The movement of the brush is as follows: In the foremost position of the paste-brush the same rests upon or sufficiently close to the upper side of the paste-delivery roller to take paste therefrom, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5. During the first portion of the backward movement of the brush the same rises, so as to pass over the front flap 5, which at this time stands in rear of the pasterollers and vertically in line with the brush. When the brush has passed over the front flap, as shown in full lines, Fig. 5, and before it reaches the rear flap, as shown in Fig. 6, it drops to a point below the upper ends of said flaps, as shown in full lines in Fig. 6. The

brush now completes its backward movement in this lowered position to a point in rear of the rear flap. (Shown in dotted lines in Fig.

6.) During this movement thebrush applies paste to the front side of the rear flap along its edge. During the first portion of the subsequent forward movement the brush moves forward in this lowered position to a point in front of the front flap, whereby the brush applies paste successively to the rearside of the rear flap,which is the top side of that flap when folded down, and to the rear side of the front flap, which is the under side of that flap when folded down. The last portion of the forward movement of the brush carries the same again to the paste-delivery roller. By these movements the brush applies paste to both sides of the rear flap and the rear side of the front flap near the edges thereof. The mechanism whereby this movement is imparted to the brush is arranged in rear of the feed-chain and the blank-holders and is constructed as follows:

H represents an upright rock-lever whereby the paste-brnsh is moved back and forth and which is pivoted on the rear portion of the main frame. This lever has its upper arm pivotallysconnected to the rear end of the bar supporting the brush and is actuated by a grooved cam 77., mounted on the coun-.

ter-shaft and engaging with the lowerarm of the rock-lever, as shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 8. t I represents a slotted shifting baror guide whereby the paste-brush is raised and lowered. This guide is pivoted on its upperside near its front end by a horizontal pivot 11 to a standard t" on the bed, so that the guide swings in a vertical plane transversely to the movement of the feed-chain. The brush-bar is provided near. its middle with a depending lug t engaging by a roller 1' in the slot of the guide.

J represents a reciprocating or sliding cam which is arranged lengthwise below the shifting-guide and is provided on its upper side with a salient portion j and a horizontal receding portion j, with which a depending bearing-lug i on the rear portion of theguide is adaptedto engage alternately. This cam is guided by bolts j passing through horizontal slots 7' in the cam and secured to a bracket 7' on the main frame or in any other suitable way. The guide is yieldingly pressed downward with its bearing-lug against thecam J by a spring 3' connecting the guide with the bracket 9 The real-portion of the guide is steadied in its vertical movement by.

a pin 7' arranged on the guide and engaging in a curved slot 7' in the bracket 9' It represents a link or slotted rod pivoted atits rear end to the upper arm of the rocklever H and engaging by its slot with a pin k" on the rear end of the sliding cams J.

During the first portion of the backward movement of the brush the salient portion of 'the sliding cam stands underneath the lug of IIO to rise and to be lifted over the front flap of the blank. During this. movement of'the brush the link '70 travels idly backward along the pin k of the cam, while the rock-lever H is moving the brush-supporting bar back; wardly. When the brush hasreached the position above the space between the front and rear flaps, as indicated by full lines in Fig. 5, the front ,end of the slot in the linklc engages with the pin 10 and causes the oath to move rearwardly with the rock-lever,thereby moving the salient portion of the cam rear-' ward'ly from underneath the lug of the guide and permitting the guide to drop with its bearing-lug 2 npon the horizontal portion of f the sliding cam, thus causing the brush to drop between the front and rear flaps. In

this lowered position of-the shifting guideits substantially horizontal direction. this movement the brush applies paste to the front side of the rear flap. During the first 5 portion of the subsequent forward stroke of I the rock-lever the shifting link It slides forwardly idly and does not move the cam. This causes the shifting guide, supporting-bar, and brush to remain in their lowered position until the brush has moved and applied paste to the rear sidesof the rear and front flaps successively. After the brush has passed by the front flap the rear end of the slot in the link strikes the pin of the cam and shifts the same forwardly, thereby raising the rear end of the slotted guide, so that its-slot stands in an inclined position preparatory to the next following backward movement of the brush. In order to prevent the rear flap from being displaced rearwardly when the pastebrush applies the paste to the front side thereof, abacking or retaining finger Z is provided which supports the rear side of the rear flap, as shownin Figs. 1, 5, and 6. This supporting-finger is curved rearwardly at its front end, so as to direct the rear flaps of the blanks in front of the same as the blanks move rearwardly with the feed-chain. This finger is secured to the adjacent stationary part of the machine, as shown in- Figs. 1 and 2. After the front and rear flaps of the blank have been gummed the blank is advanced one space by the propelling mechanism and presented to the folding mechanism, where the blank stands still until its flaps have been folded down upon the holder. This folding mechanism is arranged adjacent to the feedchain and holders and at a distance in rear of the gumming mechanism equal to this distance between two blank-holders and is con- 'structed as follows:

M, Figs. 2, 8,9, 13, and 14, represents a longitudinally-reciprocating horizontal foldingbar, which is arranged transversely in rear of the rear flap of the blank when the latter is in line with the folding mechanism and which is provided with a tapered front end or edge adaptedto engage with the rear side 'of the rear flap. This bar is guided in horizontal ways m, arranged in the upper part of a stan'dardm on the main frame, and is reciprocatedlby an upright rock-lever m pivoted on said standard and having its upper arm engaging with the folding-bar, w-hi le its lower arm engages with a cam m on the *countershaft, as show-n in Fig. 8. N N represent two horizontal folding-fingers whereby-the side flaps of the bottom are folded down upon the holder. Each of these fingers is pivoted with its rear end to the guideway m on one 'sid'eof the folding-bar and extends across the under side ofthe bar to the opposite side thereof. The two folding-fingers 'are'fitted to cross each other, and their front ends are curved or I hook-shaped and point'toward each other, as slot stands horizontally, which causes the; brush-carrying bar and brush during the re- 1, guide-fingers is provided with a cam-slot n, maindeiof the backward stroke to move in a I During L shown in Figs. 2, 13, and '14. Each of these which receives a pin non the under side of the folding-bar. Then the folding-bar and the folding-fingers are moved rearwardly or retracted to their fullest extent, they clear the path of blanks, as represented in Fig. 13. The cam-slots in the'folding-fingers are so for-med that upon moving the folding-bar forwardly the first part'of this movement causes the fingers to swing forwardly and toward each other, whereby these fingers are engaged against the outer sides'of the side flaps 3 of thebottom and fold the same down upon the top of the holde'r,as shown in Fig. 20. During the last portion of the forward movement of the folding-bar the latter engages against the rear side of the rear flap 4 and loosely wardly or toward the holder, so that its blade e engages against the front flap and loosely folds the same down upon the side and rear flaps, as represented in Figs. 9and20. This IIO movement of the folding-jaw is effected by a horizontal shifting rod 0, which slidestransversely in a guide in the lower portion of the bed and which is connected at its rear end with the lower arm of the rock-lever'mfi, while its front end is provided with an upwardlyprojecting arm or finger 0, which engages with the front side of the folding-jaw. The movement of the several members of the folding mechanism is so timed that the side flaps are first folded down upon the holder, as shown in Fig. 20, after which the rear flap is folded looselyldown upon the side flaps, and then the front flap is folded loosely down upon the side and rear flaps. After the flaps have been so folded the movement of the rocklever m is reversed, whereby the folding-fingers and bar are withdrawn rearwardly from the blank and the finger 0 is disengaged from the folding-jaw of the holder. In order to prevent the folding-jaw of the holder from moving backward or away from the holder and so cause the unfolding of the front flap when the shifting finger 0 leaves the foldingjaw, a detent device is provided which holds the folding-jaw in its partially-closed position and which is constructed as follows:

P represents acatch which is arranged in front of the holders and capable of movement in the longitudinal direction of the feed-chain. This catch is provided at its front end with a transverse shoulder 19, which stands in the path of the folding-jaw of the holder as the latter moves from the gumming to the folding mechanism. The catch slides horizontally in a guide 19', formed on a standard 19 rising fromthe front part of the bed. The catch is yieldingly held in its foremost position (shown in Fig. 4) by a spring 10 which connects the front end of the catch with an adjacent stationary part of themachine. As the blankholder moves from the gumming to the folding mechanism its folding-jaw engages with the shoulder p of the catch P and moves the latter in the direction in which the holder moves to the position shown in Fig. 3, thereby straining the spring p When the folding-jaw is moved-toward the holderfor partially folding the front flap, the catch is movedinfrontofthefolding-jawbythespring 19 as shown in Fig. 4, thereby preventing the jaw from opening upon the withdrawal of the shifting finger 0.

After the flaps of the blank have been loosely folded down upon the holder the same is advanced another step and the rear portion of the blank is carried underneath a presserroller Q, which presses down upon the rear flap and straightens the same out, so that it lies flat upon the side flaps and extends as far as possible under the front flap, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 10. This roller is piyoted on theupper end of a vertical supporting-bar g, which has a limited vertical movement on a standard q, risingfrom the rear portion of the bed, by means of bolts g secured to the bar and passing through vertical slots Q in the standard. In the normal position of the roller the bolts of the bar restupon the lower ends of the slots inthe-standard, in which position the lowermost part of the roller is below the top of the blank. As the blank is advanced from the preliminary-foldingmechanism and passes with its rear flap under the presser-roller the latter is lifted, so that its weight exerts a pressure upon the rear flap for flattening the same. As the blank passes from underneath the roller the latter again drops. The presser-roller is preferably provid ed with an annular flange g on its rear side, which engages against the rear side of the blank and compels the rear flap to straighten out forwardly and produces a square rear corner on the box. As the blank passes from thepreliminary-folding mechanism to the presser-roller the folding-jaw of its holder leaves the catch P and passes along the rear edge of a horizontal retaining-guide g which is formed lengthwise on the standard 19 in front of the holder and retains the. foldingjaw E in'its partially-closed position, as shown in Fig. 3. As the holder carrying the blank advances from the presser-roller the foldingjaw of the holder engages with a cam g, which supporting its rear end by a spring g which rises from the front part of the bed. When the folding of the gummed flaps is thus completed, the rear flap is secured to the side flaps by one. line of gum or paste and to the front flap by two lines of paste. The folding-jaw of each holder is firmly held in its closed position by its clamping-fingers, which spring over and press the opposite sides of the blank against the holder, as shown in Fig. 12, so thatthe flaps are securely held down while they are drying. After the bottom flaps of the blank have been so gummed and folded each tion of the feed-chain, and finally upwardly around the front supporting wheel. The feed-chain is made so long that the pasted flaps become thoroughly dry and set before the boxes reach the front end of the machine, at which they are removed from the holders. The ejecting mechanism, by which each box is removed from its holder, is arranged adjacent to the front supporting-wheel and is constructed as follows:

R represents acam whereby each foldingjaw is opened or swung away from the box on its holder preparatory to removing the box from the holder. This cam is arranged adjacent to the front side of the front supportingwheel and supported by an arm r, projecting from the adjacentfront part of the bed. Each of the holders is provided on its upper or outer end with a stud or projection r, which engages with the opening-cam as the holder passes upwardly around the front supporting-wheel, and the jaw is thereby swung forwardly, so as to release the box on the holder, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

S represents an ejector-carriage arranged in rear of the path of the blank-holders and adjacent to the front supporting-wheel. This 1 carriage is guided on a supporting-bars,which projects from the rear part of the bed and has a reciprocating movement parallel with the box-holder from which the box is to be removed. The carriage is actuated by a rocklever s, with which it is connected by a connecting-rod This lever is pivoted at its upper end to the rear portion of the bed and is actuated by a cam 5 having a cam-groove1 which engages with a roller or pin 3 on the rock-lever. front'end of a cam-shaft s journaled in bear ings on the rear portion of the main frame,

This shaft is driven from. the counter-shaft c by a chain belt 3 passing around sprocketwheels s sflmounted, respectively, on the counter-shaft and the cam-shaft, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 8.

T T represent two grippers or jaws which are arranged one above the other and which are adaptedto grasp opposite sides ofthe box.

on theholder and remove the same therefrom.

The'gripping-face of each jaw consists, preferably, of a rectangular body or plate t, having on its four sidesoutwardly-p'rojecting toothed flanges i, preferably formedoujt of 1 one piece of sheet metal.

gripper-arms are guided on the front partof the ejector-carriage by a guide-plate t se-.

cured to the front part of the ejector-carriage and provided with transverse guide-slots t inwhichthe gripper-ar'msare arranged. The

. thereon independent of the carriage and par 5 allel with the line of movement of the same.

of the ejector-carriage.

spread position, as shown in Fig. 15.

gripper-jaws are constantly pressed toward each other by springs t 25 which'bearwith their front ends against the front endsof'the gripper-arms and are secured withth'eir rear ends to a bracket t arranged on the rear side V represents a cam-plate whereby the ejector jaw's are opened and closed The camplate is mounted on the ejector-carriage and is capable of a limited longitudinal movement For this purpose. the cam-plate is arranged between the front side of the ejector-carriage and the jaw guideeplate t and is provided with a longitudinal slot u, which receives a rectangular boss u on the front side of the carriage, as shown in Figs. 15, '16, and 17. The" cam-plate is provided on its upper and lowersides with projections v. having inclines u on their inner sides which engage 55.

with the'inner sides of the gripper-carrying arms. Upon moving the carriage outwardly with referenceto the cam-plate the inclines thereof engage with the gripper-arms and spread the same until the top or flat outer sides of the cam-plate projections engage with the gripper-arms, in which position of the cam-plate the gripper-arms are retained in a I Upon moving the carriage inwardly-with reference to the cam-plate the projections of the same The cam s is mounted on'the ,the holder.

are moved from underneath the gripper-arms and the latter are moved toward each other by the springs t r VV' represent inner and outer stops whereby the cam-plate is shifted with reference to the ejector-carriage for moving the grippers toward and from each other and which are 'ment of the. feed-chain a holder carrying a box stands still in line with the ejector-carriage. The latter isnow moved inwardly by the cam 5 wherebyits jaws in a spread position are carried above and below the box in During the last portion of the inwardmovement of the carriage the camplate strikes the inner stop V and is arrested thereby. This causes the carriage, which now moves forward independently. of the camplate to the end of its inward stroke, to move its gripper-arms from the top of the'camprojections inwardly. This causes the springs to press the gripper-arms toward each other and engage the grippers-against the upper and lower sides of the box on the holder;

The ejector-carriage now moves outwardly, with its jaws grasping the box, whereby the latter is stripped from the holder. Duringplate moving therewith strikes the outerstop V, whereby the outward movement of the cam-plate is arrested. The ejector-carriage continues to move outwardly to the end of its outward stroke independentlyof the camplate,which causes its jaw-arms to move alon g the inclines of the cam-plate to the top thereof, therebyspreading the jaws and disengaging the same from the box after the latter has been removed from the holder. The outer stop is rigidly secured to theguide-arm, upon which the ejector-carriage slides.

In starting the machineit is desirable that the gripper-jaws should be held open until the holder which carries the first box has reached the ejector in order to avoid wearing the sides of the holdersby the scraping of the grippers along the saimenvhich would occur if the grippers closed against the holders before they carry any boxes. For this purpose the inner stop V is removably supported in aloop 1, arranged on the adjacent part of the bed. Upon removing this stop the camplate encounters no obstruction at the end of its inward movement, but moves inwardly with the ejector-carriage to the end of the stroke, which causes thecam-plate to retain the gripper-arms open and so prevents them from grasping the empty holder during the subseqnenfioutward stroke of the carriage;

When the first holder carrying a box arrives between the grippers laterally with reference to the movement of the ejector-carriage. The

ejector-finger is yieldingly held in its rear wardor retracted position by a spring w, bearing with its ends against the front side of the ejector-finger, and an adjusting screwnut to, arranged upon a rod U72, which is connected with the guide-bar.

w is a camface or incline formed on the outer side of the guide-plate and adapted to engage with a similar cam face or incline 10 011 the ejector-finger. During the inward movement of the ejector-carriage and connectin g parts the ejector-finger is moved rearwardly by the spring w ,'so as to clear the path of the box, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 16. During the last portion of the subsequent outward movement of the carriage the grippers remove the box from the holder and carry it in front of the ejector-finger.

' the finger laterally and forwardly into the position shown infull lines in Fig. 16, whereby the box, which at this time has been released from the grippers, is ejected forwardly from between the grippers, thereby clearing the latter preparatory to the next inward move- When the machine is fully in operation,the gum ming, folding,and ejecting mechanisms each operates upon a separate box after each intermittent forward movement of the feed-chain and holders, so that the several operations are performed simultaneously on different boxes.

When the top flaps of the boxes are also so constructed that they can be closed by pasting, a similar machine is used for closing the tops of the boxes after they are filled. A box constructed in that manner is shown in Fig. 22, in which 3' represents the side 'flaps of the top, 4: the rear flap, and 5 the front flap, which flaps are like the corresponding bottom flaps. In the machine designed for closing such boxes after they are filled the holders X, Figs. 23 and 24, are hollow four-sided rece ptacles of the proper size to receive the filled box and hold it rather loosely, with the top flaps projecting upwardly in the same manner in which the bottom flaps project from the holders of the first-described machine. In all other respects the machine is in its general organization and in the construction of the gumming and folding mechanism the same as the first-described machine. The spring-clasps e of the folding-jaw E engage in the machine for closing the tops against the sides of the box-holders instead of against the sides of the box-blah ks and so hold the jaw from swinging open until released by the cam R. This cam is in this top-closing machine arranged lower down than it is shown in Fig. 1, so that the folding-jaw E is released when the holder is still fully in its inverted position on the under side of the polygonal Wheel 19. When the jaw is swung away in that position ofv the holder, the box is released and drops out ofthe holder by its own weight, an additional ejecting device being usually not required.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination with the feed mechan- ,ism provided with holders for carrying the boxes orblanks and presenting the same to the pasting and folding mechanisms, of a pasting mechanism whereby paste is applied to projecting flaps of the boxor blank, a stationary folding mechanism arranged beyond the paste mechanism in the direction in which the feed mechanism moves and containing folders whereby the side flaps and the rear flap are folded down, and traveling final folders whereby the final flaps are folded down, one of which folders is arranged with each blank-holder and travels with the same,

substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the feed mechaniism provided with holders for carrying the boxes or blanks and presenting the same to the pasting and folding mechanisms, of a pasting mechanism whereby the paste is applied to the projecting flaps of the box or blank, a stationary folding mechanism containing fingers for folding the side flaps down, a sliding folder for folding the rear flap upon the side flaps, mechanism whereby said folder is actuated after said fingers have been actuated, traveling folders for folding the final flap down, one of which folders is arranged with each blank-holder and travels with the same, and mechanism whereby each traveling folder is swung against the final flap after the rear flap has been folded down and before such flap is released by its folder, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with projecting holders for carrying the boxes or blanks and presenting the same to the pasting and folding mechanisms, of a paste mechanism which applies the paste to projecting flaps of the box or blank, a stationary folding mechanism arranged beyond the paste mechanism in the direction in which the feed mechanism moves and on one side of'the path of the feed mechanism and its holders, such folding mechanism containing folders whereby the side flaps and the rear flap are folded down, and traveling folding jaws arranged on the opposite side of said holders, pivoted at their lower ends-to swing toward and from the holders and provided at their free upper ends with folding blades adapted to project across the holders, substantially as set forth.

- 4. The combination with a traveling holder adapted to carry a box-blank or box, of a fold ing-jaw pivoted at its lower end to the base of the-holder to swing toward and from the sameand'provided at its upper end with a folding-blade which projects across the top of the holder when'the jaw is closed against the holder, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the feed mechanism provided witha holder adapted to carry a boxblank or box, of a folding-jaw pivoted at its lower end to the base of the holder and providedat it's free. end with a folding-blade and at its sides with clamping-fingers adapted to bear against opposite sides of the blank or box on the holder, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with holders adapted to carry the box-blanks or boxes with the end flaps projecting therefrom and the paste-supply devices, of a reciprocating paste wiper or brush, and guide devices whereby said wiper or brush is raised while moving from the paste-supply devices to clear the front flap and lowered before reaching the rear flap to apply the paste first to the latter, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with the-feed mechanism provided with holders for carrying the box-blanks or boxes with their end flaps projecting therefrom, of a reciprocating paste wiper or brush traveling toward and from the paste-supply devices and across the path: of.

said holders, and guide devices whereby the wiper or brush is raised while moving from the paste-supply devices to clear the front flap and lowered before reaching the rear flap, to apply the past-e first to the front side of the latter, and is moved in its lowered position toward the paste-receptacle to apply the paste next to the rear side of the rear flap and then to the rear side of the front flap, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with the paste-supply devices, of a wiper or brush, means whereby the same is moved toward and from the pastesupply devices, a slotted shifting guide whereby. said wiper or brush is first raised and then lowered while moving from the paste-supply devices, and a cam whereby said guide'is.

shifted, substantially as set forth.

9...The combination with paste-supply devices, of a supporting-bar provided with a paste'wiper or'brush, a rock-lever which is connected with the supporting-bar and where- .by the wiper or brush is moved toward and from the. paste supply devices, a shifting guide pivoted near its front end and provided with a slotwhich receives a projection on said supporting-bar, asliding cam engagingwith the rear. portion of said guide, and a link loosely connecting the cam with said rock-lever, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with the paste-supply devices, the feed mechanism provided with holders for carrying the box-blanks or boxes, and a paste Wiper or brush traveling toward ee4,45s

, actuating the same, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination with the intermittently-moving feed mechanism provided with holders adapted to carry the box-blanks or boxes, of horizontal. pivoted folding-fingers for folding the side flaps, a reciprocating folding-bar for folding the rear flap, which bar is connected with said fingers and operates the same, folding-jaws mounted on the feed mechanism and moving therewith, and an'actuatingfinger whereby the folding-jaw of the holder which is in line with the folding mechanism is closed against the holder for folding the front flap, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination with the intermittently-moving feed mechanism provided with holders adapted to carry the box-blanks or boxes, of horizontal pivoted fingers which fold the side flaps and are provided with cam-slots, a reciprocating folding-bar which folds the rear flap and which is provided with pins en- I gaging in the slots in the fingers for actuating the same, folding-jaws mounted on the feed mechanism and adapted to fold the front flaps, an actuating-finger adapted to engage thejaw which is in line with the folding mechanism, and a rock-lever connected with said folding-bar and actuatingfinger, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holder adapted to carry a box blank or box and having a movable folding-jaw, of a catch arranged in the path of the movement of said jaw and movable in the direction in which said jaw moves with the feed mechanism, and an actuating device whereby said jaw is moved toward the holder and released-from said catch, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holderadapted to carry a box-blank or box and having a movable folding-jaw, of a catch arranged in the path of the movement of said jaw and movable in the direction in which said jaw moves with the feed mechanism, and an actuating device whereby said jaw is noved toward the holder and released from said catch, and a spring whereby the catch is returned after said jaw has been released therefrom, substantially as set forth.

' 16. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with holders for carrying the ed down upon the rear flap, a pressure device which bears upon the rear flap after the;

same has been folded down and which clears the front flap, and means whereby the finall folder is tightened upon the final flap after{ the rear flap has been acted upon by said ism provided with a holder adapted to carry 17. The combination with thefeed mechan 3 pressure device, substantially as set forth.

ism provided with holders for carrying the boxes or blanks and presenting the same to the pasting and folding mechanisms, of a past- =ing mechanism whereby paste is applied to projecting flaps of the box or blank, folding devices whereby the side flaps and the rear rflap are successively folded down, traveling; ifinal folders which move with the holders and f \whereby each .final flap is folded down .upon the rear flap,.a pressure device which bears uponthereariflap after the same has been j ifolded down, and meanswhereby eachfinal ifolderiis tightened upon the final flap after the rear flap has been acted upon by said pressure device, substantially as set forth.

.18. The combination with thefeed mechaniism provided with holders for carrying the iboxesor blanks .and presenting the same to the pasting and folding mechanisms, of a pasting mechanism whereby paste is applied to projecting flaps of the box or blank, a stationary folding mechanism arranged beyond \the paste mechanism in the direction in which the feed mechanism moves and containing folders whereby the side flaps and the rear flap are successively folded down, traveling .final folders which move with the feed mechanism and holders and whereby each final iflap is folded down upon the rear flap, and a pressure .device which is arranged beyond said folding mechanism and which bears upon the rear flap afterthe box or blank has passed beyond said folding mechanism, substantially as set forth.

19. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with holders adapted to carry .the box-blanks or boxes, of folding devices whereby the side flaps and the rear flap are successively folded down, a folder whereby rthe frontfiap is folded down upon the rear lflap, and a flanged pressure -.rol1er which bears upon the rear flap after the same has been folded down, substantially as set forth.

20. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holder adapted to carry a box-blank or box, of folding devices whereby the side flaps and the rear flap are successively folded down, a folding-jaw connected with said holder for folding down the front flap, an actuating device whereby said jaw is closed, a pressure device bearing upon the rear flap after the same has been folded down, and a final folding-cam wherebysaid jaw is tightly closed down after the rear flap has been pressed down bysaid pressure de- I vice, substantially as set forth.

21. The combination with thefeed mechanism provided with a holder adapted to carry a box-blank or box, of a folding-jaw pivoted at its lower end to the base of the holder and provided at its free end with a folding-blade,

and a releasing-cam which swings the free end of the jaw away from the holder, substantially as set forth.

22. The combination with thefeed mechan a box-blank or box, of a folding-jaw pivoted at its lower end to the base of the holder and provided at its free end with a folding-blade and at its sides with yielding clamping-fin gers adapted to bear against the sides of the blank or box on the holder, and a releasingcam against which said jaw engages for withdrawing the free end of the jaw from the holder preparatory to removing the box from the holder, substantially as set forth.

23. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holder upon which the box is carried, of a reciprocating ejector nov;

able toward and from the holder and having gripping-jaws which are closed upon the box on the holder for removing the box therefrom and opened for discharging the box, substantially as set forth.

24. i The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holder upon which the box is carried, of a reciprocating ejector movable toward and from said holderand'having gripping-jaws which are closed upon the box on the holder for removing the box therefrom and opened for discharging the box, and an ejector-finger whereby the box is removed from thejaws when the latter are opened,sub'- stantially as set forth.

25. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holder upon which the box is carried, of a reciprocating ejector-carriage movable toward and from said holder,

gripping jaws attached to said carriage, a cam-plate by which said jaws are opened and closed, and stops whereby the movement of said cam-plate is arrested for efiecting the opening and closing of the jaws, substantially as set forth.

26. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holder upon which the box is carried, of a reciprocating ejector-carriage movable toward and from the holder and having gripping-jaws which are closed upon the box on the holder for removing the same therefrom and opened for discharging the box, an ejector-finger arranged between the gripping-jaws, a spring whereby the ejectorfinger is yieldingly held out of'the path of the box, and an incline arranged on the ejectorcarriage adapted to engage with an incline on the ejector-finger for moving the latter across the path of the gripping-jaws and discharging the box therefrom, substantially as set forth.

27. The combination with the feed mechanv ism provided with a holder upon which the 4 ing the movement thereof and effecting the opening and closing of said jaws, substantially as set forth.

ism provided with a holder upon which the box is carried,'a reciprocating ejector-carriage movable toward and from said holder, a cam-plate-moving with said carriage and capable oflimited movement with reference thereto, gripping-jaws attached to. said carriage and moved by said cam-plate, and a removable stop which can be placed in the path of the said cam-plate for arresting its movement while the carriage moves on or can be removed for allowing said cam-plate to move with said carriage, substantially as set forth.

29. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holder upon which the boxis carried, of a reciprocating ejector-carriage movable towardand from said holder, arms pivoted to said holder and having gripping-jaws which are closed upon the box on the holder, said jaws being provided with hollow 'four-si'ded gripping-faces havingtoothed edges, and means whereby said jaws are opened and closed, substantially as set forth.

30. The combination with the stationary frame and the traveling carrier provided with a holder for carrying the box or blank, of a stationary folding mechanism mounted on said frame and comprising two side-folders whereby the side flaps are folded down upon the holder, and a folder whereby one of the end flaps is folded down, and a traveling folder whereby the final flap is folded down and which is, arranged opposite the holder on t. the traveling carrier, substantially as set forth. 1

31. The combination with the stationary frame and the traveling carrier provided with a plurality of holders for carrying'theboxes or blanks,- of a stationary folding mechanism which is mounted on the stationary frame and which acts upon the flaps, excepting the final flap, of each box or blank as it ispre sented to the stationary folding mechanism,

and a traveling folder which is arranged opposite each holder on the traveling carrier and which folds the final flap and holds the same down while the box or blank is carried on the carrier, substantially as set forth.

- The combination with the stationary frame and the traveling carrier provided with a plurality of holders for carrying the boxes or blanks, of a stationary folding mechanism mounted on said frame and comprising fingers for folding the side ,flaps down, and a sliding folder for folding 'the rear flap upon t the side flaps, and traveling final folders mov- 28. The combination with the feed mechaning with said carrier and pivoted at their lower ends opposite said holders to swing toward and from the same, substantially as set forth.

33. A box-folding machine embracing a traveling carrier, and means for folding the last flap of the box and retaining-it in position comprising a form or block mounted on said carrier, a pivoted retaining plate or arm and means engaging said platein a manner to hold the same either in its raised or lowered position, substantially as set forth.

34. A box-folding machine embracing a traveling carrier, a form or block mounted on said carrier, a pivoted flap-holding plate or arm, means for automatically raising said plate from or lowering it'upon the form and means actingto hold said plate either in its raised or lowered position, substantially as set forth. V

35. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame provided in its opposite ends with rotative pulleys, a carrier trained over said pulleys and adapted to travel in Ways mounted in said frame between the pulleys, a boxblank form mounted on said carrier, means for simultaneously folding the flaps connected with two opposite sidewalls together and upon the form, means for folding one of the intermediate flaps upon said first-mentioned flaps, and means for folding a fourth intermediate flap upon the form, to the under side of which 'paste has been applied and for holding said set, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 9th day of November, 1898. r 1

CHARLES HFBROOKS.

Witnesses:

M. D. CLARK,

- HOWARD U. LYON.