Patent GB-689094-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to a forming machine and method of forming cartons
IPC: B31B3/32
Filed: 1949-08-16
Abstract: 689,094. Making boxes. STEVENS, A. H. (Zinn, J. A.). Aug. 16, 1949, No. 21301/49. Class 18 A machine for forming tubular cartons comprises a number of complete individual forming assemblies rotating about a central pillar, each assembly comprising a mandrel and folding and pressing elements for folding a carton blank about the mandrel and pressing its sides and bottom against the mandrel walls. The machine may be pneumatically and hydraulically or entirely hydraulically operated. The blanks, coated with adhesive as required, are fed on to the revolving table 44 by a conveyer 47, each being positioned over a well 55 on rails 201, 202 between guides 203, 205, Figs. 12, 13. Each blank 200 is advanced by a loader 59, Fig. 8, against stops 206, 207, and a stop 77 carried by the respective mandrel 56, and the mandrel descends to fold the blank to channel form between plates 210, 211, Figs. 12, 13. Side pressure members 63, 64, Figs. 8, 10, advance to clamp the channel sides against the mandrel, and top folders 158, 169, Fig. 10, operated alternately advance to fold the channel sides into overlapping engagement over the upper side of the mandrel to form a tube. A top pressure plate 80, Fig. 8, clamps the tube side to the top wall of the mandrel. The bottom flaps of the carton are folded inwardly by plates 67, 68, 69, 104, Figs. 8, 10, the operating hydraulic cylinders 148, 154 of the plates 68 and 69 being mounted on the side pressure members 63, 64 and the cylinder 103 of the plate 104 being mounted on the top pressure plate 80. The bottom flaps are forced against the mandrel 56 by a plunger 65 which may comprise sectors spring pressed outwardly to form an accurate fit between the members pressing the box sides. The movable pressure elements and folders are attached to piston rods operating on cylinders, the pistons of which may be actuated hydraulically or in the case of the loader 59 and the folders 67, 68, 69, 104, 158, 169 pneumatically. The hydraulic fluid is supplied through vertical passages in a fixed pillar 53, Fig. 33 (which shows the arrangement in an all-hydraulic machine), to ports in a member 52 carrying the forming assemblies via grooves and ports in the surface of the pillar. In revolving, the member 52 controls fluid supply according to the disposition of the ports. Air supply may be controlled by duplex valves 304, Fig. 8, having rollers 305, 306 operating on fixed cam tracks. The fluid supply includes a high pressure line for supplying additional pressure to members 65, 80 to ensure adhesion of the longitudinal seam and bottom flaps. The machine is operated by an electrically driven hydraulic pump 313, Fig. 33, supplying fluid to the pillar 53 and to a motor 403 rotating the table and driving the conveyer 47. All hydraulic cylinder glands are under vacuum to prevent leakage. The completed cartons are blown off the mandrels 56 after being retracted clear of the well 55. The conveyer forms the subject-matter of Specification 689,157. Fig. 51 shows a blank which may be folded on the machine to produce the carton shown halfcompleted in Fig. 53. The walls 18, 19 and flaps 33, 34 are glued together to form a tube and end closing flaps 30, 33, 34 then 31, 32 folded inwardly and adhesively secured. Cut-away portions 547, 548 in the flaps 33, 34 accommodate portions 35- 38 to give a uniform thickness bottom.