Patent GB-1536173-A (GB)
Title: Automatic machine for assembling boxes from semi-formed flat blanks
IPC: B65D/
Filed: 1976-10-07
Abstract: 1536173 Erecting boxes from semi-formed blanks; boxes; feeding sheets CARTOTECNICA CHIERESE DI BENEDICENTI ANGELO PIERRO & C Snc 7 Oct 1976 [8 Oct 1975] 41645/76 Headings B8C B8P and B8R [Also in Division B2] A machine for erecting boxes, Fig. 2 (not shown) from semi-formed blanks, Fig. 1, at a forming station 33 whereat parts of a blank whch form the sides of a box, are folded up at right angles relative to a part of the blank which forms the box base, comprises thruster members 37 for pushing blanks withdrawn from a magazine, along horizontal guides 36, to a horizontal support frame 41 at the forming station 33 which also includes a pressure plate 45 lowerable to press against the base part of a blank and a forming press 46 raisable, after the pressure plate 45 has been lowered, to fold up the side parts of the blank, and ejectors 43 which are connected to the thruster members 37 and serve to push an erected box on to a discharge conveyer 44 as a blank is fed to the support frame 41. The machine further includes glue applicators (51) Fig. 9 (not shown) for applying spots of glue to blanks prior to erection. In a modification, the machine includes two pressure plates and two forming presses for erecting two blanks simultaneously. Magazine and Blank Feeding Arrangement, Fig. 7. The magazine comprises a rectangular frame 60 on which blank guide rods 35, having lateral blank supporting teeth 40 at their bottom ends, are adjustably mounted. The magazine with the pile of blanks therein is reciprocated vertically by cams 68 acting through an arrangement of rods and levers so that with the magazine in a lowered position the lowermost blank can be drawn towards and engaged by fixed suckers 39 and fed from the magazine by the thruster members 37. A cam 69 acting through a system of levers and rods and a gear 74 serves to return the thruster members 37 from an advanced position adjacent the forming station 33 against the action of a spring 77<SP>1</SP>. The thruster members 37 can be lowered elastically to avoid interference with the magazine during said return movement. Glue Applicators, Figs. 9 and 10 (not shown).- Glue applicator pads (51) are mounted on vertically adjustable brackets (97) connected to longitudinally extending bars (98) at selected, adjustable positions. The positions of the bars (98) are adjustable transversely of the machine. A heated glue containing tank (96) s mounted on each pad (51). Cams (110 and 116) acting through associated levers and rods cause the pads (51) firstly to move towards the median longitudinal vertical plane of the machine, downwards and then to stop briefly before moving upwards and away from said plane and stopping again. Forming station 33, Fig. 12.-A blank arriving at the forming station is initially held on the support frame 41 by suckers 50 located therebelow. Cams acting through levers and rods control upward and downward movement of the pressure plate 45 which includes retractable pressing fingers 49 for engaging the edges of the box base through openings 18, 27 in inner walls of double walls of the box. The forming press 46 which is moved upwards and downwards under the control of cams (190) Fig. 9 (not shown) acting through levers and a rod, comprises a base plate on which segments forming longitudinal and transverse walls of the press are adjustably and removably mounted. Each blank is positioned at the forming station 33 by fixed and retractable registers. Formed Box Ejection, Fig. 7.-Each ejector 43 comprises an ejector finger 83 which is rotatable about a vertical axis between extended and retracted position and is biased to the extended position, i.e. pointing towards the longitudinal vertical median plane of the apparatus. The ejector fingers 83 are advanced in their extend positions to eject a formed box and are retracted during their return stroke by engagement with cams 86, 87. The box Fig. 2 (not shown) comprises a tray portion which has box-sectioned side walls, and a lid hingedly connected along the upper edge of one of said side walls.