Patent GB-623166-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for folding the open ends of paper cartons or containers
IPC: B31B5/74
Filed: 1947-04-24
Abstract: 623,166. Packing. PERGA. Ltd., FREEMANTLE, H. R., and LUMSDEN, T. W. April 24, 1947, No. 10933. [Class 94(i)] The invention relates to apparatus for folding the open ends of paper cartons 51 of the kind comprising a tubular conical body having an open end of quadrangular cross section which is to be folded in a concertina or bellows-like manner (Fig. 5) at least one of the wall parts 52 to be folded together being extended so as to be foldable over and sealed on the edges of the other wall parts. According to the invention in apparatus for folding cartons of this kind comprising a frame 10 on which are pivotally mounted one pair of plates 16, 16<SP>1</SP> being arranged to operate simultaneously on opposite sides of a carton and another pair of plates 17, 17<SP>1</SP> being arranged to operate simultaneously on the other, sides of .the carton and coming into operation after the other pair, an additional folding mechanism is carried on the plates 17, 17<SP>1</SP> and operates on the wall extension of the carton to fold it through substantially 180 degrees. In the construction shown, each of the plates 16, 161 is pivotally mounted in the frame 10 by extension pivots 16<SP>2</SP>, 16<SP>3</SP> and has an extension 16<SP>4</SP>. An arm 20, which is pivotally connected with the two extensions 164 by links 19, is integral with a sleeve 14<SP>1</SP> slidable on a rod 14 secured to the frame 10. The plates 17, 17<SP>1</SP>, are each pivotally mounted at each' end in lugs formed in the frame 10, and have cranked extensions at one end, connected by a common link 27, an extension of which is rigid with the sleeve 14<SP>1</SP>. The plate 17 carries a fixed extension plate 18 and the plate 17<SP>1</SP> carries a fixed extension 30 on which is pivotally mounted,at 31, a plate 181. Striking plates 33 pivotally mounted at 32 at each end of the extension 30, each have an arm in slotted engagement with a pin 35 on the respective end of the plate 18<SP>1</SP>. A further arm on each plate 33 having a striking surface 36, is adapted during the'folding operation to engage with the plate'18 and cause rotation of the plate 18<SP>1</SP> against the extension of the carton. The frame 10 is carried by rods 13<SP>1</SP>-13<SP>4</SP> (13<SP>2</SP> 134 only, shown), which are slidable vertically relative to the frame 50 of a carton conveyer 54. The cartons are positioned on the conveyer 54 relative to the plates 16, 17 in one direction by fixed guide rods 55 and in the other direction by two laterally spaced bars 43 carried on the frame 10 by respective rods 41 and disposed, at right angles to the rods 51. OPERATION. When a carton 51 on the conveyer 54 reaches the folding station as shown in Fig. 2 the frame 10 is lowered by the engagement of rods 13<SP>1</SP>-13<SP>4</SP>, with cams (not shown), and slotted extensions 44 of the rods 41 engage pins 48 carried by the main frame, to rotate the bar 43 against the action of return springs 46 so that they engage and position the sides of the container adjacent to the sides engaged by the bars 51. When the rods 13<SP>1</SP>-13<SP>4</SP> reach the limit of their downward movement, the frame 10 is held stationary while the sleeve 14<SP>1</SP> moves further downwardly under the action of an extension 14<SP>2</SP> in engagement with a cam (not shown). The movement of the sleeve 141 relative to the frame 10 acting through the links 19, moves the plates 16, 16<SP>1</SP> inwardly to fold one pair of opposite sides of the carton, and acting through the link 27 moves the plates 17, 17<SP>1</SP> inwardly (Fig. 5), to engage the other pair of sides. The plates 16, 16<SP>1</SP> commence their inward movement before the plates 17, 17<SP>1</SP>, the action being similar to that described in Specification 484,284. At the end of the inward movement of the plates 17, 17<SP>1</SP>, the striking surfaces 36 engages the respective ends of the plate 18 thus causing rotation of the plate 18<SP>1</SP> against the action of a spring 37 to the folding position (Fig. 5).