Patent GB-1068683-A (GB)
Title: Packaging machines
IPC: B65B43/18
Filed: 1963-10-28
Abstract: 1,068,683. Packaging-machines. WEYERHAEUSER CO. Oct. 28, 1963 [Oct. 30, 1962], No. 42411/63. Heading B8C. A machine which encloses groups of articles such as bottles and cans in a wrapper comprises means for forming a tube from blank (40), Fig. 1 (not shown), means for separating locking tabs (79) from their associated panel (50), for forming apertures defined by slits (74) by bending inwardly the panel (50) relative to the tabs, means for guiding tabs (72) on the other end of the blank through said apertures and means for inserting the locking tabs (79) into locking apertures (70). Bottles from an infeed conveyer 114, Figs. 12A, 12B, are guided by tracks 124 around turntables 123 and from thence are gathered in groups of predetermined number by flights 313 of a main conveyer on to blanks already placed on this conveyer. Blanks 40 are fed one at a time from a magazine, see also Specification 1, 068, 685 (Division B6), by suction units 280 which place each blank on to the main conveyer and on to an auxiliary parallel conveyer. The blanks are stored vertically in the magazine, being retained by detents (226), Fig. 16 (not shown), and an adjustable bar (267), and are removed by the suction units which move in an arc upwardly and outwardly due to a linkage system as shown in Fig. 11A (not shown). Each blank is positioned between a pair of flights (313), Fig. 16 (not shown), and is kept normal to the direction of movement of the main conveyer by abutments (324) on auxiliary conveyer (215) which are aligned with and move at the same speed as flights (313). The folding of each blank occurs during movement thereof through the machine. Tabs (72) are folded upright by a stationary plough 346, Fig. 12A, and a holddown show 343, and panels (54-58) by plough parts 355 and 356 at the position where the bottles are received on panel (53). Upward folding of panel (50) and separation of locking tabs (79) therefrom is effected by a plough 393, shoe 395 and a downwardly-urged pivoted arm 394, see also Fig. 4 (not reproduced). Panel (55) is maintained against the articles by a plate 365, Fig. 12B, and completion of folding is carried out by ploughs (370), Fig. 7 (not shown), and 418, Fig. 12B. Tabs (72) are guided into slits (74) by ploughs 424 and (432), Fig. 8 (not shown), and rollers 435, Fig. 12B. The locking tabs (79) are inserted into locking apertures (70) by cam-operated reciprocable members (441), Fig. 18 (not shown), mounted on a rotatable wheel (447). The machine is adjustable to deal with variations in package and article size and is provided with automatic machine-stop mechanisms comprising a switch (530), Fig. 20 (not shown), operated by the feed of more than one blank from the magazine and a switch which opens in the absence of an article on tracks 124, Fig. 12A. Modifications described include attachments for folding alternative blanks. For example, wheels having peripheral projections and fixed to rotate beneath the level of the conveyers to fold upwardly flaps formed in panel (56) which act as article dividers, Figs. 21-29 (not shown), and formers mounted on an endless belt, Figs. 33-35 (not shown), to positively shape the tops of wrappers when blanks are used not having fold lines (47), (48). Apparatus to align the base and top panels, Figs. 30-32 (not shown), is described in Specification 1,068,684.