Patent GB-676216-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in apparatus for forming boxes and like containers
IPC: B31B3/50
Filed: 1949-03-01
Abstract: 676,216. Box or carton making machines. THORNTON, A. A., (Palmer Inc., F. D.). March 1, 1949, No. 5571/49. Class 18 Pre-cut blanks having tongues on the end wall panels for engagement with slits formed in the side wall panels are made into tray-like boxes by apparatus comprising a relatively movable coacting die and mandrel for folding the blank and for inserting the tongues into the slots and coacting means on the die and mandrel for opening the slits to facilitate entrance of the tongues. As shown, a die plate 33 is formed with a wall 36 and a pair of end openings 37, Fig. 6, corresponding in shape with a blank 10, Fig. 1, and through which the blank is forced by a mandrel 34, Fig. 5, supported by an arm 38 from a post 39 slidably mounted in guides 40, 41. The width of the well 36 is defined by depending sideholding walls 33<SP>1</SP>, which serve to hold the sides of the box erect after folding and also to retain the box suspended over box discharging means 26, Fig. 8, until the next container is formed, the lower edges, of the walls 33<SP>1</SP> having recesses 33a to engage the upper edges of the box and hold it while the mandrel is being withdrawn. The mandrel 34 has its ends tapered upwardly and has on its sides, near the lower corners, tapered pins or buttons 44 which effect a flexing of the container sides to open the slits 22 to receive tongues 20 when the walls are folded upwardly. The end walls are folded upwardly and the end wall flaps folded inwardly by curved plates 45 and adjacent pairs of angular side members 46 respectively disposed' below the die plate openings 37, whilst rollers 47 on spring-urged pivoted arms 49 are provided to press the box ends against the tapered ends of the mandrel and thereby effect sufficient over-folding to press the tabs 20 sufficiently into the slits 22 to insure locking engagement with the side walls. Boxes discharged from the die are guided by plates 71, Fig. 9 (not shown), on to a travelling belt 69, Fig. 8, which carries them to the side of the machine. Blank feeding arrangements. - The blanks are withdrawn from an inclined magazine 55, Fig. 5, by suction cups 52 that can be swung into position above the die plate by posts 53 and by arms 58, 59, mounted on rock shafts 60, 61 respectively and connected respectively to the upper ends and middle portions of the posts 53, the rock shaft 61 having an arm 62 connected to the operating mechanism 28 by a rod 63. When released by the suction cups, each blank is positioned on the die plate by pairs of stationary guides 64, 65 and by an opposed pair of reciprocating guides 66 carried by a pusher 67 that is journalled on a shaft 68 and is connected to the operating mechanism by an arm 91 and rod 81. Driving arrangements.-The travelling belt 69 and the connecting rods 77, 79, 81 for the mandrel, suction cups and pushers respectively, are operated from a shaft 74, Fig. 8, driven by an electric motor through chain and sprocket gearing and the suction pump 57 is operated by a rod 84 and crank 83 from one of the pulleys of the belt 69. Specification 642,446 is referred to.