Patent GB-985540-A (GB)
Title: A machine for erecting flattened tubular carton blanks
Inventor: TERRY MORRIS ALLISON
IPC: B31B5/80
Filed: 1962-10-29
Abstract: 985,540. Erecting cartons. AUTO-PAK Inc. Oct. 29, 1962, No. 40864/62. Heading B5D. A machine for erecting flattened tubular thermoplastics coated carton blanks and forming an end wall on each erected blank comprises a plurality of mandrels 17 (Fig. 2) arranged in a circular disposition and mounted on a rotating platform 54. Arranged on the top platform 33 (Figs. 2 and 3) at stations L, B, H, P, O and D, are erecting, prebreaking, heating, sealing and discharging units respectively. Erecting mechanism.-Blanks 18 (Fig. 3) are fed longitudinally of a laterally adjustable magazine 15 by a feed-plate 159 under the action of a counterweight 164 (Fig. 2). The lateral adjustment enables the machine to accommodate blanks of varying sizes. The carton blanks are arrested in their movement by lateral stops 165 (Fig. 9). A pressure activated piston 168 when extended causes suction cups 173 to engage the leading carton blank. Retraction of the piston removes the blank from the magazine and guide member 204 assist in the partial formation of a carton tube. When the leading corner abuts stop 192, a second piston 201 extends to force the carton into a square configuration (Fig. 9A, not shown). A loading mechanism 19 is then actuated, and the erected carton is indexed vertically downwards by a piston operated plate 219 on to a mandrel 17 (Fig. Z, not shown). The plate is then retracted and the rotating platform 54 (Fig. 2) is moved through one step by a piston operated ratchet mechanism 13 (Figs. 2). The cycle is then repeated for subsequent carton blanks. Pre-breaking mechanism.-During rotation of the platform 54 (Fig. 2) the erected blank passes to a pre-breaking station B (Fig. 3). At which station mounting plate 231 (Fig. 12) is secured to the platform 33 adjacent an opening 232 in said platform. A piston 239 actuated by a pressure cylinder 238 urges two relatively slidable members 233, 236 downward through the opening. Bar 243 attached to the slide member 233 is arrested in its downward movement by a stop 246. The outer slide member 236 continues in its downward movement against spring action and actuates a toggle mechanism 264 (Fig. 12) which causes two blades 253, 254 (Fig. 11, not shown) to break panels 278, 279. The two remaining panels 272, 273 (Fig. 12) are broken by a forming head 266 which is adapted to be used for two sizes of blanks. Heating, sealing, and discharging.-The carton is then moved to a heating station H (Figs. 3 and 16) at which station a vertically indexible heating head 287 is moved into a heating position and the thermoplastic coating of the carton blank is heated to semi-molten state. After retraction of the head to the position shown in Fig. 16, the carton is moved to a station P (Figs. 3 and 19) where the panels 272, 273, 278, 279 are closed and sealed by a pressure pad 317. The bars 311, 312 directly guide the panels into the position shown in Fig. 19. At a discharge station D (Figs. 3 and 20) a piston rod 328 is indexed downwardly and suction cups 339 contact the carton. Upward movement of the piston rod lifts the carton from the mandrel, suction pressure is released, and the carton is then deposited into a receptacle 26. Coolant circulates inside each mandrel, and the machine has two sets of mandrels adapted to receive blanks of different sizes.