AUTOMATIC SETTING APPARATUS IN BOX OR CARTON BLANK ERECTION MACHINES

Abstract: The invention relates to selection and setting apparatus in box or carton blank erection machines to enable changing the blank format in the machine. The apparatus (1) comprises format selectors coacting with at least two setting wheels (2), each including at least two pins (3) which are of different lengths enabling settings for different formats, the free ends (4) of these pins constituting stop surfaces for coacting stops (5) arranged on the tool details in the machine which are movably settable to the blank size in question.

Description: Automatic . . Setting Apparatus in Box or Carton Blank Erection Machines. The present invention relates to selecting and Betting apparatus in box or carton blank erection machines for enabling the use of different blank formats without changing the actual erection means in the machine. In changing the blank format in an erection machine today, a number of time-consuming operations must be carried out be¬ fore the machine can be put into service. The tool is usually changed completely, and a new one put in place, and it must be carefully adjusted before starting up. In addition, the magazine used for the blanks must be changed or readjusted so that it fits the new format. The object of the present invention is to provide a selecting and automatic setting apparatus, with the aid of which tool changes and/or magazine changes are no longer necessary for a plurality of formats. The characterizing features essentially distinguishing the invention are disclosed in the accompa¬ nying claims. As a result of the invention there has now been provided a means solving previous problems occuring in changing blank format in erecting machines. Thus, in accordance with the invention, it is only necessary to turn the knobs selecting the blank width, length and height to the desired one of a plurality of given formats. The exact positions of the moving details driven by pneumatic cylinders in the machine are then automatically set with the aid of different setting wheels and their pins, with which stops on the details coact. There is simultaneously obtained an exact adjustment of the amount of hot air required for positional fixation of the erected blanks, when so required by the change in format, since opening or throttling of the air nozzles takes place with the aid of sliding sleeves covering their orifices, these sleeves having stops for coaction with the respective pin on the respective setting wheel. The invention will now be described in more detail with re- ference to the accompanying drawing, where Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment according to the invention, used for setting up an erection tool in an erecting machine, Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the part of the setting apparatus arranged for adjusting a hot air nozzle with respect to the selected blank format and, Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the setting apparatus .for setting up a magazine for the different blank formats. As will be seen from the drawings, a preferred embodiment example of the inventive setting apparatus 1 includes- at least two setting wheels 2, each provided with at least three pins 3. The pins 3 have lengths corresponding to different blank formats, and the free end surfaces 4 of the pins con- stitute stop surfaces for stops 5 coacting with the pins, these stops 5 being disposed on the tool details in the machine and can be moved to suit the blank size setting. As will be seen from Fig. 1, the setting wheels 2 are actuable by format selection knobs 8 via rods 6 and bevel gears 7 for setting width, length and height of a given blank, and the rods 6 permit placing the setting wheels 2 at the places in the machine enabling coaction with the stops 5 associated with the movable, settable details. In this figure, the setting wheels 2 are illustrated as being double-action, i.e. they actuate stops 5 at either end of the pins 3. The pins 3 can thus work in pairs such -chat the pin 3 may on ts left correspond to the width dimension for four different packet formats, while on the right it corresponds to the length dimension for these four formats. As mentioned, the tool details are movable, and with the aid of a pneumatic cylin- der, or other suitable drive means, they can be thrust out and retracted to maximum and minimum positions, respectively. The maximum position can be regarded as the starting posi¬ tion, since it is to this position that all stops 5 are first thrust when the tool is to be reset to a different format. The stops 5 wait at this starting position until the format selection knobs 8 are turned to settings pertaining to a desired format. The pneumatic cylinders thrusting and re¬ tracting the movable tool details are then activated, all stops 5 then being thrust towards the minimum position, but as soon as they meet the free end surfaces 4 of the pins 3 they stop and remain in this position. After the tool details have been caused to move to their starting positions, and the format selection knobs to positions corresponding to a de¬ sired blank format the erection tool has automatically been set up for this format. Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a magazine 9 for blanks, and the procedure already described is also applicable here for setting up the magazine for a different blank format. The blanks 10 are carried by guides 11, and above the blanks there are upper guides 12. On either side of the blanks 10 there are also guides 13, all guides 11-13 being carried by tool details 14, which are movable and can be set by unil- lustrated format selection knobs to positions in which stops coacting with the tool details 14 come into engagement against the pins 3 in the setting wheels 2. In Fig. 2 there is schematically illustrated a perspective view of a setting wheel 2 for setting a sleeve 15 via a stop 5 and pin 3, the sleeve 15 being displacabl arranged round a hot air nozzle 16. This nozzle has round or slot-shaped orifices 17. When the blank is erected, these nozzles are intended to blow hot air against predetermined regions on the blanks for positionally fixing them in an erected state, using a hot melt technique. The setting position of the sleeve 15 is dependent on how great a height the blank in question has. These nozzles 16 are set to suit the erected blank at the same time as the other stops 5 are set to the selected blank format.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Selecting and setting apparatus in box or carton blank erection machines with format selectors which are movably adjustable to enable changing the format of the blank in the machine, characterized in that the format selectors are also included in the setting apparatus (1), which also includes at least two setting wheels (2), each having at least two pins (3), these pins having different lengths corresponding to different blank formats, the free end surfaces (4) of said pins constituting stop surfaces for stops (5) coacting therewith, said stops being arranged on the tool details "in the machine and can be moved to suit the blank format in question. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the format setting wheels (2) are actuable with the aid of format selectors having knobs or thumb wheels (8) via rods (6) and bevel gears (7), said rods (6) enabling placing the setting wheels (2) at the places in the machine where coac¬ tion can take place with the stops . (5) projecting from the movable tool details. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, for use in erecting machines including erecting tool, magazine (9) for the blanks (10), and blank picker for transferring the blanks from the outlet of the magazine to the erecting tool, in which the blanks are erected with the aid of a plunger, characterized in that the setting wheels (2) are placed in the tool and arranged to actuate the movable stops of the erecting tool via the format selection knobs (8) , such that all the stops are automatically set in relation to each other and to a desired preselected blank format. 4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of " claims 1-3, for use with a blank magazine, characterized in that the setting wheels (2) are placed in the magazine (9) and arranged, via the format selection knobs (8) to actuate setting of the upper and lower guides (11, 12) as well as the lateral guides (13) of the magazine to the blank format in question. 5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the setting wheels (2) include as many pins (3) as the desired number of blank formats, preferably 6-8 pins. 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that there are nozzles (16) provided with round or slot-like orifices (17) which are in communication with a hot air source, said nozzles being arranged, when the blank is erected, to blow hot air against predetermined regions on the blanks to fix their positions in an erected state with the- aid of a hot melt technique, said orifices (17) being suited to different heights of erected blanks with the aid of sleeves (15) which can be thrust over the orifices (17), said sleeves (15) having projecting stops (5) for coaction with the pins (3) on the setting wheels (2), which also function in coaction with the setting wheels (2) and pins (3) for the movable stops in the erection tool. 7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable tool and magazine details are movable into positions suiting the blank format in question, these positions being predetermined by the length of the pins (3) in the setting wheels (2), with the aid of pneumatic cylinders which urge the respective settable detail to the greatest, or starting, format position before setting to a new format takes place.

Inventors: WALLIN KAY, WILHEMSSON INGEMAR, WALLIN, KAY, WILHEMSSON, INGEMAR
Applicants: SPRINTER SYSTEM AB
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B31B3
IPC codes: B31B1, B31B3