Patent GB-1459800-A (GB)
Title: Method and machine for erecting a carton blank to a carton
IPC: B31B50/46
Filed: 1973-12-12
Abstract: 1459800 Erecting cartons with lids SPRINTER PACK AB 12 Dec 1973 [21 Dec 1972] 57662/73 Heading B5D [Also in Division B8] A machine for erecting a carton comprising a tray-like bottom part and a tray-like hinged lid part which can fit over the bottom part comprises a forming shaft having two adjacent sections which open into one another along a common side, a single or double plunger for pressing a carton blank down into the shaft to erect the bottom and lid parts, stationary bottom supports in the shaft for supporting the bottom and lid parts, and a door or doors on the side of one of the shaft sections opposite the common side through which the formed carton can be discharged. In one embodiment, Figs. 1 and 6, the machine includes a shallower shaft section and a deeper shaft section (44, 46), Fig. 3 (not shown) having bottom supports 78, and 80, 82 respectively. Pivotal doors 64, 66 can close one side of the deeper shaft section. A plunger 45 cooperable with the shaft sections includes bottom plates 48, 50 for engaging the bottom panel 10 of the bottom part and the bottom panel 28 of the lid part. A pivotally mounted support member 68 is movable so that its support surface 104 is positioned above the opening to the shaft section 44 to support the lid part bottom panel 28 adjacent a fold line 30 as the plunger 45 moves the blank downwards. In its lowermost position, the support surface 104 lies flush with the upper surface of the shallower shaft section bottom support 78. The bottom plates 48, 50 of the plunger include spaced fingers 54, 56. When the side wall-panels have been erected perpendicular to the bottom panels 10, 28 to which they are hinged, edge flaps 25, 26, 42, 42<SP>1</SP> on opposite side panels 14, 18, 32, 36 of each of the bottom and lid parts are folded inwardly of the bottom and lid parts by four similar folding members 86, 88, 90, 92 and are adhered to their associated side wall panels. Each folding member 86, 88, 90, 92 comprises a block 120 pivotally journalled between a pair of arms 124 which are secured to a hub 126 rotatably journalled on a shaft 128. Arms 132 which are secured to the hub 126, are connected to a reciprocable link 136. A link rod (142, Fig. 9) which is hingedly connected at its upper end to the block 120, can pivot the block 120 to which L-shaped fingers 96 are secured. In operation, the fingers 96 are located outside the forming shaft until the bottom panels 10, 28 of the blank are held by the plunger 45 against their respective bottom supports 78, 80, 82. The fingers 96 are then moved so that the upper edge of the associated edge flap is engaged by a finger nail-like projection (150), Fig. 9 (not shown) mounted on the fingers 96, and the edge flap folded downwardly and inwardly against its side wall panel. As the fingers 96 hold the edge flaps in this folded position, the plunger 45 is withdrawn, the plunger fingers 54, 56 passing between the folding fingers 96. In a second embodiment a machine is provided for erecting a blank, Fig. 12, having a lid part and a bottom part connected by a hinge panel 232. The machine of this second embodiment comprises a double plunger 272, 274 and a folding plate 284 mounted on pivotal arms 286. In operation the folding plate 284 engages the blank along a fold line 234 and the plungers 272, 274 move downwardly and inwardly in circular arcuate paths to fold the bottom part side wall panel 210 into face to face relationship with the hinge panel 232 and the lid part side wall panel 224. During this downward movement of the blank, end tabs 236 on the lid part side panel 224 are folded upwards by folding bars 312 which are mounted on longitudinally reciprocable supports 316. Reciprocable movement of the bars 312 from the end tab 236 folding position causes the bars 312 to engage end tabs 220, 240 of the bottom part side panel 210 and the hinge panel 232 and fold these end tabs perpendicularly to their associated panels. The remaining side wall panels of the blank are erected by moving both plungers 272, 274 vertically downwards. This machine includes edge flap folding members 302 similar to those of the first embodiment. However the plungers 272, 274 additionally carry pivotal L- shaped arms 298 having lower free ends which engage the insides of the side panels 214, 216, 228, 230 at the fold lines 262 and 266. After the initial folding the L-shaped arms 298 are carried inwardly by the folding members 302. The door in this second embodiment is carried by arms 332 which are pivotable about a horizontal axis. The movements of the various components of both machines are synchronised.