Patent GB-745171-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to machines for forming fold lines in boards or sheets
Inventor: KIRBY WILFRED
IPC: B31B50/25
Filed: 1953-07-06
Abstract: 745,171. Embossing. VICKERS-ARMSTRONGS (ENGINEERS), Ltd. July 5, 1954 [July 6, 1953], No. 18698/53. Class 100 (2). A machine for producing fold lines in board or sheet blanks made of fibrous material, e.g. for making boxes or cartons, comprises a pair of rotary forming members each having a peripheral edge for contacting one side of the blank, a third rotary forming member having a peripheral edge for contacting the opposite side of the blank between the other pair and a spring- loaded displaceable support ring on each side of the peripheral edge of the third member to support the blank during the forming process. The machine, shown in Fig. 1, comprises a table 3 over which the blanks 4 are fed to the forming members, these being mounted on carriages 8 adjustable along a horizontal rail 6 to vary the distance between groove lines. Each carriage 8, Fig. 2, comprises an upper and a lower portion, 8A and 8B, the upper portion being supported on rail 6 and the lower portion on a parallel rail 7. The upper rail 6 has a rack bar 13 secured thereto co-operating with a gearwheel 15 on shaft 16 mounted on the carriage portion 8A, the wheel being -rotated to displace the carriage by a worm gear 23 engaged by a worm rotatable with a vertical shaft 25. The shaft 25 is vertically slidable and maintained in the lowermost position by a spring 40. A square end at the top of the shaft receives an operating handle 107 (Fig. 1) for rotating the shaft and a slotted collar 38 is provided at the bottom. A dial plate 32 attached to the end of shaft 16 co-operates with a movable projection 31 carrying a " zero " mark and displaceable by means of lever 29A for the purpose described below. The lower carriage portion 8B carries a similar displacing gear 46 co-operating with rack bar 44 and rotated by vertical shaft 55. This shaft carries a tongue 66 at the upper end adapted to be engaged with slotted collar 38 when the shaft is lifted against the action of spring 59. At the lower end the shaft carries a pad 55A for contact with a bar, parallel to rail 7 which is raised to couple the shaft 55 to shaft 25. Rotation of shaft 25 will then cause both portions of the carriage to be displaced together. A driving shaft 71 passes through the lower portion 8B, a disc 73, Fig. 4, being slidably mounted on the shaft but constrained to rotate with it by a key 74 engaging in a key-way 72. A similar disc 75 is freely mounted on the shaft but is secured to the disc 73 by bolts 76. An annular forming element 77 clamped between discs 73, 75 has a bevelled periphery providing a rounded forming edge 90. The discs 73, 75 are mounted in the carriage portion 8B by bearings 76C. Channel-section rings 79, 80 are shaped to engage the bevelled edges 78 of element 77 and are urged against it by springs 93 acting through annular pads 92. These rings almost completely cover the exposed edge of element 77 but can be displaced downwardly by the pressure of the blank being creased, the rings automatically returning to the axial position under the action of springs 93. The upper carriage portion 8A carries a spindle 94, Fig. 4, to which are pivoted hangers 95, 96, each supporting a forming element 131, 132. Each of these elements consists of a pair of discs 133, 134 and 135, 136 rotatably mounted on a shaft 139 by bearings 137. The pairs of discs fit closely together, the edges being bevelled. The inner discs 134, 136 are more sharply bevelled than the outer discs 133, 135 and are of somewhat greater diameter. Upstanding yokes 97, 98 (Fig. 2) from hangers 95, 96 have slotted ends to co-operate with eccentrics 100, 101, Fig. 2, on a shaft 99. Rotation of this shaft is effected by handle 107 applied to a vertical threaded spindle on which runs a nut connected to an arm on the shaft. As the shaft 99 is turned, the forming elements 131, 132 swing about spindle 94 so that their adjacent edges move towards or away from each other. A scale is provided indicating the distance between these forming elements. The supporting spindle 94 is pivoted on a pin 129 at one end and, at the other, is adjustably clamped in a sliding member 125 which can be raised in slides by rotation of an eccentric sleeve supported on shaft 99. An arm attached to this sleeve carries a pointer co-operating with a scale indicating the distance between the pair of elements 131, 132 and the lower element 77. This distance is varied according to the thickness of the blank being creased. As shown in Fig. 2 the forming elements do not both cooperate with the element 77 at the same peripheral point but are displaced somewhat in the direction of travel of the blank being creased. More than one pair of rails 6, 7 may be provided one behind the other and a plurality of carriages may be mounted on each pair. When it is desired to make parallel crease lines a short distance apart the rear carriage is first aligned with the front carriage. The displaceable zero indicator 31 is displaced an equal distance in opposite directions on the two carriages and shafts 25 rotated to bring the scales 30 to the same position relative to their corresponding zero marks. This ensures that the front and rear creasing members will have moved equal distances from their initial position.