Apparatus for automatically continuously supplying retractable spouts for cardboard boxes and the like

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically continuously supplying retractable spouts for cardboard boxes and the like, which comprises at least two storing devices for continuously supplying spout webs to be formed and cut-out. Feeding devices (10) for feeding a single spout web coming from a storing device, as well as end of web sensing means (20), adapted to actuate auxiliary feeding means (11) for taking up to the spout web coming from the other storing device are moreover provided.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically continuously supplying retractable spouts for cardboard boxes and the like. As is known, on rectangular cross-section cardboard boxes and packages, which are mainly used for food products and other products, are conventionally applied metal retractable elements, the so-called "spouts" which, in particular, are applied by forming and applying machines, cooperating with the product packaging lines, that is with the apparatus forming and filling-packaging the cardboard boxes. Prior spout forming machines, however, present the problem that they require the operating system to be stopped in order to replace the spout magazine as the spouts have been exhausted. This will involve an interruption of the production cycle, which will negatively affect the operating cost of the overall system. Accordingly, document US3789714 teaches how to overcome the above mentioned drawback, by providing an apparatus for automatically continuously supplying retractable spouts for cardboard boxes and the like, which allows to greatly reduce the operating time, i.e. which does not require that the apparatus be stopped, thereby allowing the spouts to be supplied continuously. Summary of the invention An object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus which allows to perform very safe and accurate operating steps, thereby providing a very reliable and safe operating apparatus. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus which can be easily made starting from easily available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint. According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an apparatus for automatically continuously supplying retractable spouts for cardboard boxes and the like, as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of an apparatus for automatically continuously supplying retractable spouts for cardboard boxes and the like, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a further cross-sectional view substantially taken along the line II-II of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a further cross-sectional view taken along the section line III of figure 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the apparatus for automatically continuously supplying retractable spouts for cardboard boxes and the like, according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a bearing framework 2, supporting a shaft 3 which is rotatively driven by a motor. To said shaft 3 a first cam 4 and a second cam 5 are coupled, said first and second cams being arranged in a successive adjoining relationship. More specifically, the first cam 4 operates feeding means, indicated by the reference number 10, for feeding a single spout web, as well as auxiliary feeding means which have been generally indicated by the reference number 11. In particular, said apparatus can be coupled to two supplying magazines or storing devices for continuously supplying spout webs from which spout element must be formed and cut, and being individually caused to be fed. The feeding means 10 comprise a lever 13, pivoted at 14, thereon operates a supporting element 15 coupled to the first cam so as to provide a reciprocating movement causing the web to be step advanced through a guide 17 for conveying said web to a punch element. Upstream of said guide 17 an end of web sensor 20 is provided, actuating the auxiliary feeding means which comprise rear levers 21, also driven by the first cam 4 through a rear supporting element 22, as well as a cylinder 23 which, by its piston rod operates on support elements 24 to which are pivoted the rear levers 21. Thus, the rear levers, which are operated in step by the front levers, under the same driving force coming from the shaft 3, will operate by cooperating with the front levers, i.e. by clamping the end portion of the other web coming from a further storing device or magazine held on said guides 30 and engaged by a pressing element 31. Simultaneously with the operation of the first cylinder 23, the sensor 20 also actuates a second cylinder, indicated by the reference number 33, for orienting or controlling the top 30a and bottom 30b guides of the spout web, and which are formed in the guide 30 and hold an end portion of a new spout web to arrange the latter at the punch guide 17. In operation, the guide 30a will receive the working spout web coming from the first storing device or magazine, whereas the guide 30b will receive the end portion of the web coming from the other storing device. Thus, as the first storing device is exhausted, the web will be taken from the second storing device, by changing the guide. In this connection it should be apparent that the rear levers 21 will entrain the end portion of the new web so as to bring it in engagement with the front levers 13, which will effectively entrain said web. After some operating cycles, in which the end portion of the web is clamped by the front levers, the rear levers, after their operation, will be caused to return to a top standby position. A timer will operate the cylinder 23 so as to cause the piston rod of said cylinder to return to a retracted position, with a consequent raising of the rear levers 21 which will be disengaged from the web. At the region where the punch 40 is arranged, for operation by the second cam 5, a bottom plate 41 is located, said bottom plate supporting four fixed pillars 42 which, in turn, support a top plate 43, to which the overall driving assembly is connected. The front pillars or columns 44 will operate to control the reciprocating displacement of the punch assembly, which will stop the spout elements. With the operation of the two springs 45 which are also provided to operate as spout pressing elements, is associated the operation of two pneumatic cylinders 46 provided at the front pillars 44 and in which the enlarged portions 47 will operate as piston elements for aiding the movable plate 48 to recover its home position for each operating cycle. In particular, the subject apparatus has been specifically designed to operate with a their broad range of spout size, independently from the type and shapes thereof, since for fitting the apparatus to different spout elements it will be merely sufficient to change the guides and spacer elements therefor, as well as their supports, so as to provide a proper adjustment of the positions of the articulating points of the front and rear levers, depending on a changing of the spout pitch. From the above disclosure it should be accordingly apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. In particular, it is to be pointed out that an apparatus has been provided for automatically and continuously supplying retractable spout elements for cardboard boxes and the like, the operation of which is actually continuous. The invention, as disclosed, is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which will come within the scope of the claims. In practicing the invention, the used materials, provided that they are compatible to the intended application, as well as the contingent size and shaped, can be any, depending on requirements.

Claims: An apparatus (1) for automatically continuously supplying retractable spouts for cardboard boxes and the like, comprising at least two storing devices for continuously supplying spout webs from which spout elements must be formed and cut, feeding means (10) for feeding a single spout web coming from a storing device, and end of web sensing means (20) adapted to actuate auxiliary feeding means (11) for taking up the spout web coming from said other storing device, characterized in that said apparatus comprises a shaft (3) including a first cam (4) for operating said feeding means (10) and said auxiliary feeding means (11), and a second cam (5) for operating a punch (40) for forming and shaping said spouts, and that said feeding means (10) comprise front levers (13) pivoted, at a respective middle portion thereof (14), to a support element (15) and having the other end portion thereof coupled to supports associated with said first cam (4) and said feeding auxiliary means (11) comprise a rear levers (21) supported by a support (22) coupled to a first cylinder (23) driven by said sensing means (20), said rear levers (21) being operatively coupled to said first cam (4). An apparatus, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said sensing means (20) comprises a photocell arranged at a web guide (17). An apparatus, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said apparatus (1) comprises moreover a guide element (30) provided with a bottom guide track (30b) and a top guide track (30a), for supplying webs coming from said two storing devices, said two guide tracks (30a, 30b) being coupled to a second cylinder (33) for selectively arranging one of said guide tracks at the punch (40) guide element. An apparatus, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said apparatus comprises moreover a timer for deactuating the rear levers (21) after a set number of operating cycles. An apparatus, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said apparatus allows a spout web being fed to be changed without stopping said apparatus.

Inventors: MAGRI GIOVANNI, MAGRI, GIOVANNI
Applicants: SCRUTON INVEST INC, SCRUTON INVESTMENTS INC.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B31B1
IPC codes: B65H19, B31B1