Patent GB-1274670-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in cartoning machinery
Inventor: PEARSON MALCOLM STUART
IPC: B65B7/22
Filed: 1968-09-21
Abstract: 1,274,670. End folding mechanism for a cartoning machine. ROSE FORGROVE Ltd. 12 Sept., 1969 [21 Sept., 1968], No. 44987/68. Heading B8C. A cartoning machine, for packing articles in cartons 11 of triangular cross-sectional shape and having correspondingly-shaped, hinged, end wall flaps 34, 40 each with a tuck-in tab 53 for insertion between the adjacent side wall of the carton and the contents thereof, includes a folding station 35 comprising a plate 43 which is adapted to move from an inoperative position to an operative position in alignment with a tuck-in tab score line 52 to support a flap 34 or 40 while its tuck-in tab 53 is folded inwardly by a rotatable folding member 44 which is provided with a tab deflector 64, a tab-guiding member 65, and an end flap folder 66. Collapsed triangular cartons 11, accommodated in an upright position between side guides 12, are delivered, one at a time, into one of a series of pockets 28 mounted on an intermittently movable chain conveyer 29, by means of a pair of suction nozzles 13 on an arm 14 pivotably mounted on a forked arm 17 and movable by cam mechanism 21 toward and away from the conveyer 29, the pivotal movement being imparted to the arm 14 by means of a rack-and-pinion mechanism 24 and a linkage 23. A stationary plough 27 opens each carton 11 before it enters a pocket 28, a reciprocating blade 31 holding it in the pocket before the suction to the nozzles 13 is cut off and while a reciprocating plough 32 is actuated to fold an upper tab 33 outwards. As the carton moves toward the folding station 25 it passes on to a support plate 36 which folds in a lower end tab 39 to break its score line and the upper end flap 34 is folded outwards by a stationary plough 38 to open the top of the carton ready for articles to be fed into it after their bases have been closed. As the carton approaches the folding station 35 the support plate 36 terminates so that the tab 39 springs downward, the carton being supported by the upper end flap 33, and tab 34 which is held between the plough 38 and a rod 41. At the folding station 25 a folder blade 42 is operated by cam-and-lever mechanism 46, 58 to refold the tab 39 and then the score-breaking plate 43 is actuated by cam 58 and lever mechanisms 56, to move into alignment with the score line 52. The folding member 44 is then rotated so that the tab deflector 64, in co-operation with the plate 43, folds in the tab 53 which is held folded by the guiding member 65 after the deflector 64 has moved clear, the flap 40 being folded upwardly over the already folded flap 39 by the folder 66, which comprises a ramp-like portion which is separated from the member 44 by a V-shaped notch, and the tab 53 being tucked into the carton. When the conveyer recommences the carton engages a stationary plough 69 which consolidates the folded base, continued movement of the conveyer 29 carrying the carton first to a loading station, not shown, and then to a top folding station 70 where the upper end tab 33 and flap 34 are folded by a mechanism identical to that used to fold the lower tab 39 and flap 40. A reciprocating pusher 72 removes each carton from its pocket 28 and transfers it into a delivery channel.