Patent GB-549632-A (GB)
Title: Rotatable packaging machines and methods
IPC: B65B7/18
Filed: 1941-05-14
Abstract: 549,632. Packeting; making boxes. BERGSTEIN, R. M., and BERGSTEIN, F. D. May 14, 1941, No. 6219. Convention date, Aug. 20, 1940. [Classes 18 and 94 (i)] A machine for closing the flaps of cartons is provided with means for moving each carton past a succession of folding devices, and with means for turning the carton about its longitudinal axis so as to present the flaps in turn to the folding devices. Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a machine in which blocks 11 for supporting the cartons are mounted in carriages 15 attached to a conveyer chain 10 that passes over sprockets 10a, 10b and is driven continuously in the direction X. The machine is of duplex character, two complete sets of folding devices extending from stations A to G and' from A<SP>1</SP> to G\ respectively. Each h block 11 has an axial stem 17, Fig. 3, which is journalled in the  carriage 15 and is provided with a gear wheel 18. An axial passage 59 extends through the block and the stem and air is blown through this passage at appropriate times to remove a carton from the block. The carton 30, Fig. 5, is provided with inner closing flaps 35, 36 and an outer flap 37 with a tongue 38, and also with a tubular lining 40 which extends' beyond the flaps 35, 36. In use, a carton is erected by hand and placed over a block 11 at station A. As the carton is carried from station B to station C, a pair of spreading-fingers 44 enters the mouth of the lining 40 and the lining also enters between converging bars 41, 42. The spreaders are moved continuously in a closed vertical path by an endless chain 71, and are operated by a stationary cam to move them in to and out of the liner and to and from one another. The bars 41, 42, and the spreaders combine to flatten and elongate the mouth of the lining 40, as shown in Fig. 2e. As the carton leaves station C, the flattened portion of the lining is folded downwards by the bars 41a, 42a, as shown in Fig. 2d, and then the extreme end portion 40c, Fig. 2c, is folded backwards and inwards. As the fold is completed, the gear wheel 18 on the block 11 engages a fixed rack 21 and causes the carton to be rotated through a quarter revolution, a plate 45 keeping the lining 40 in its folded condition. Between stations'E and F, a pair of twisted bars 46, 47,and fingers 45a, fold inwards the flaps 35, 36 of the carton together with the ends of the folded lining. The carton then passes beneath a plate 48 that'holds the flaps in place, and is again turned through a quarter revolution by a fixed rack 22. At station F a curved bar 49 engages the flap 37 and turns it over a fixed bar 50, Fig. 9. The flap is arched by the bar 50, and the tongue 38 at its outer end engages a side plate 52 and is bent down by it and pushed inside the carton to complete the closure. At station G, a blast of air from a tube 53 passes through the passage 59 in the block 11 and lifts the carton into a delivery shoot, 54. Adhesive may be applied to the tongue 38 and also to the underside of the flap 37 to secure the folded flaps. Also, the lining may be made of heat sealable material, and it may be passed between rollers and electrically heated bars, while it is spread out by the fingers 43, 44 to seal the extended mouth before it is folded downwards .at station D. The machine may be used for closing filled cartons, supports or cages being used in place of the blocks 11. The machine may be used also for closing unlined containers.