Patent ID: 6266948
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
(1+3) A rectilinear box opening and filling machine for processing vertically arranged boxes, comprising:a modular base having a plurality of operating stations;a main shaft longitudinally arranged inside of said modular base by which said operating stations operate;a plurality of upturned portal stations cantilevered to one side of said modular base;a vertical belt conveyor includinga) proximal and distal pairs of parallel, vertical-axis, toothed belts which convey a vertically arranged box therebetween, andb) proximal and distal horizontal belt-support frames which are attached to said plurality of portal stations and which respectively support said proximal and distal pairs of toothed belts;wherein at least one of said operating stations is supported by one of said belt-support frames such that underneath of all of said belt-support frames an unoccupied space is provided which allows for a fast removal of dirt which falls from above said belt-support frames and which allows accessibility to said at least one of said operating stations, said toothed belts, and said belt-support frames;wherein each said upturned portal structure includesa) a fixed part fixed to the one side of the modular base, said fixed part supporting said proximal belt-support frame and including a guide member,b) a horizontally movable part having a guided portion movably received in said guide member, said movable part supporting said distal belt-support frame, andc) a distal frame adjusting device which adjusts an extent of said guided portion received in said guide member and hence a position of said distal belt-support frame from said proximal belt-support frame so that boxes of different sizes are suitably received between said proximal and distal pairs of toothed belts; andwherein said belt conveyor includes, supported on one of said upturned portals located at an end part of said belt conveyor,a) a proximal drive shaft connected to said main shaft and a distal drive shaft partly telescopic with said proximal drive shaft,b) proximal and distal transmission bevel gear pairs connected respectively to said proximal and distal drive shafts, andc) proximal and distal end pulleys for said proximal and distal pairs of toothed belts connected respectively to said proximal and distal gear pairs such that said proximal and distal pairs of toothed belts are driven with a complementary reverse rotation and a same speed.