Improvements in Machinery for Making Boxes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1892-Accepted, 18th June, 1892.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Making Boxes.
I EDWARD KENWORTHY DUTTON of the firm of E. K. Dutton and Company
of Number 5 John Dalton Street, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Consulting Engineers and Fellows of the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention (communicated to me from abroad by the
Eureka Box Machine Company of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, United States of
America,) and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement and accompanying
drawings
My invention relates to machinery for making wooden boxes, such as cigar
boxes, honey boxes, &c. The boxes are formed from a single piece or strip of
wood, grooved continuously near one edge, and folded around a separate bottom
piece which fits in the groove, the free ends of the strip being then secured
together.
For honey boxes, which are simply bottomless frames, the strips are simply
folded, and the free ends secured together. The strips are prepared previous to
being placed in the machine by being scored transversely at proper intervals, and
are then fed in quantities to the machine, which proceeds automatically to select a
strip, to fold it around the bottom piece, to secure the free ends, and to discharge
the finished box, a complete box being made at each revolution of the driving
shaft.
It is the object of my invention to render the machine capable of making boxes
of various sizes and from strips of various thicknesses by making the operating
parts adjustable. It is a further object of my invention to subject the strips to
the action of steam just previous to their being folded so that they will fold easily
and without splitting.
In the accompanying drawings :-
:―
Figure 1, is a plan view of the machine with the upper cross heads omitted and
parts in section.
Fig. 2, is a vertical section on line a-x of Figure 1.
Fig. 2, is a detail of the head of the strip holder.
Fig. 3, is a front view with parts in section.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of a strip to be folded.
Fig. 3B is a detail view of the folding wings.
Fig. 4, is an enlarged section on line y-y of Figure 2, looking from the rear of
the machine.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the presser arms for the strip and bottom, the
discharge arms, and the presser box with parts in section.
Fig. 6, is an enlarged view of the presser arms, the discharge arms, and the
operating mechanism therefor.
Fig. 7, is an end elevation of the strip holder, the feed slide, and operating
Imechanism therefor, with parts in section.
Fig. 8, is a plan view of the parts beneath the table.
In these drawings A is the bed of the machine. B the legs, and D the driving
shaft having the pulley E secured thereto.
The table has an extension A', and on this is located the strip holder F, of
sufficient depth to contain twenty or thirty strips of one-fourth inch thickness.
The holder is composed of upwardly diverging posts f, f, arranged in pairs on
grooved cross bars fo. The holder is adjustable by a screw rod f1, connected to
a slotted bar f2. When the screw is turned by the hand wheel, the front posts
will be adjusted all together, moving for this purpose in the grooves of the cross
D
حيم

page_text: bars. The strips provided with V shaped transverse grooves and interlocking end
tongues, are placed in a pile within the holder. If the bottom is to be placed in
the strip then the strip is grooved longitudinally near one edge, but if the strip is
to be formed into a simple rectangular frame, then this groove is omitted. The
posts of the holder, which are hollow and have steam ports are adjusted opposite
to the scores, each pair being independently adjustable by the screw rods f
engaging with the cross bars f. In order to permit this adjustment, as also the
widening of the holder by the screw f¹, before described, the bar f, is slotted to
receive the bolts f³. A flexible connection /', from a steam supply leads to each
pair of posts, the steam passing through the ports f, the scores and beneath the
lower strip through the grooves 18, of the cross bars in which the bases of the
posts slide. The steam conduits are thus adjustable.
The front or head of the holder is formed by a vertically adjustable plate F1,
on a bracket adjustable lengthwise for different lengths of strips. The plate is
adjusted vertically so that its lower edge is slightly above the table to permit the
passage of one strip at a time beneath. At the other end of the holder there is a
similar head F to guide and confine the strips. The feed slide G, extends centrally
through the lower part of the holder and the pile of strips rests thereon. It has
a shoulder G, Figs. 1 and 3, which when moved to the extreme left, permits the
lower strip to fall into position to be engaged by the shoulder and fed to the right
beneath the head F¹, into position to be folded. The feed slide has a rack
extension y gearing with the wheel H, on the shaft ', supported in a bracket h³
beneath the table. The shaft has a bevelled pinion, into which gear alternately
the segmental wheels h, on the main shaft, so that a reciprocatory movement is
imparted to the feed slide, the shaft h', and wheel H, being turned first one way by
one gear h, and then the other way by the second gear. These gears are adjustable
about the shaft, so that a longer or shorter pause may be obtained in the feed
slides stroke to regulate the steaming to the thickness of the strips. The feed
slide is adjustable on the rack bar g, slotted at 28, Figure 3, by the screw rod 27,
to adjust the shoulder to different lengths of strips.
The feed slide pushes the strip under the former consisting of two plates I, I¹,
arranged on edge, slightly above the table at their rear ends, and supported by
their base plates i. The stroke of the slide G, insures the correct placing of the
strip so that the scores thereof will be in proper relation to the plates I I¹ for
folding. A guide plate t, moves vertically through the table, to bear on the edge
of the strip and gauge its lateral position, being forced into position by the yielding
reciprocating presser rod, Y, Figs. 1, 5, and 6, which holds the strip, while the
bottom is being placed and the strip folded. It is guided by clips 1, and is operated
from a wheel X, on the main shaft, carrying a presser roller, 2. A pivoted lever x,
is struck by this roller, and through the bar x', lever a³, and adjustable notched
pitman, moves the presser rod. The notched pitman engages a pin 3, on the
presser rod, and by lifting the hooked end 4, any notch may be engaged and thus
the stroke of the presser rod is regulated approximately to the width of the strip,
while any excess is neutralized by the slot and spring connection a. between the
bar and the lever ², the spring yielding after the rod contacts with the strip,
thus avoiding jamming and injuring the same. The presser rod is held normally
back by a spring 5 connected to a standard 6. The former I I' is adjustable for
various sizes of boxes by a screw rod 7, connected to the plate i.
When bottoms
are used they are placed in the longitudinal groove of the strip immediately after
the strip is positioned ready for folding. The bottoms are held on edge inclining
backward, by inclined ways W, carried by plates W', supported by standards QQ
on the table in rear of the guide t¹. The forward bottom bears against the stop
flanges W of the plates WI, and is held in this position by the pressure from the
bottoms in rear of it, and from the feed arm 7*, adjustable at 13 which depends
from a shaft 8, journaled in the standards Q, Q, and has a weighted arm 9.
Openings W1 Fig. 2, are left at the front of the ways for the downward passage of
the bottom to engage the strip.

page_text: The ways W, are
W1, for different
These plates are
All of these parts are adjustable for different sizes of boxes.
adjustable to increase or diminish the size of the opening
thicknesses of material by the screws W2, on the plates W.
adjustable in inclined slots 10 of the standards QQ, by screw rods 11, engaging
brackets 12 of the plates which are guided by the clips' 10%.
The forward bottom is forced down into the groove of the strip by vertically
reciprocating arms t¹ t¹, having shoulders t³, at their lower ends, which engage the
upper edge of the bottom. The arms are slotted and are adjustably supported by
a slotted plate t³, hinged to a cross head T, operating vertically as hereinafter
described. A spring to, holds the plate t in normal position, so that the
shoulders t, will strike the upper edge of the bottom as said arms move down.
When this occurs the forward bottom of the series is forced down through the
opening w¹, in an inclined position. Its lower edge strikes the upper bevelled edge
of the guide t, by which it is directed forward and it is forced down between the
front face of the guide and the rear ends of the presser bars Y', which have
friction rollers 1, and are under tension of springs 14, connected to the plates of
the former and to the presser bars. These bars slide within the former and are
held by headed screws and rollers 15. By the aid of the fingers to on the feed
arms t, the upper edge of the bottom, is held firmly. The strips and the feed
arms t¹, incline backwardly and thus space is left for the operation of the folding
arm M, hereinafter described, and in order to allow the bottom to assume a vertical
position as it presses down between the spring presser bars Y¹ and the guide the
arms are carried by the hinged plate t, which is under tension of the spring to,
and the arms thus swing forward as the bottom is forced to its place. The bottom
having been properly seated, the strip is folded about the bottom by the
wings K, K, and arm M. The wings lie in a slot 16, flush with the table, are
pivoted to blocks 17; one of these blocks is adjustable in the slot, being clamped
in any position by the screws and plates 18, Figure 6. The wings are operated by
a cross head L, having standards ', carrying rollers 11, which bear upon the
grooved underside of the wings and elevate them as the cross head rises, the
wing K, folding the first section 1, of the strip Fig. 3, and the wing K¹, raising
the sections 3, 4, it being longer for this purpose, it being understood that the
bottom is seated in the section 2. This action folds the strip up against the
former I, I. Three sides of the box have thus been formed and the fourth is
formed by the arm M, folding down the last section 4 to engage the upper edge of
the first section.
The cross head L is raised by a cam H¹ on the shaft, which tilts an arm 21, on a
rock shaft 22, journalled in hangers 23. Arms 24 engage rollers 25 on the cross-
head and raise it when the cam lifts the arm 21. A weight 25 tends to counter-
balance the cross head. The standards 'l', are adjustable in the slot 26, of the cross
head, and are changed to suit the adjustment of the wings.
The folding arm M, is pivoted to the cross brace M², extending between the
vertical standards M¹ on the table. It is held in normal position off to one side of
the former I, I, Fig. 3, by a spring 27, and is forced down by a roller 28 on a
cross head M, moving vertically in the standards M. The cross head is moved
from a face wheel 29, by a pitman M, connected thereto by a pin 30, extending
through a slot in the standard. When the cross head moves down the roller swings
the folding arm downward over the former, folding the last section of the strip
over, so that the notched edge thereof will interlock with the upturned edge of the
first section which has been folded by the wing K. The bottom is now seated in
the groove of each section which is folded about it, and the box is ready to be
tightened by pressure upon the interlocking ends, and then discharged as will be
hereinafter described.
The folding arm is adjustable as to length, as at 32, and comprises two
extensions 33, which have rollers at their ends. The extensions are sufficiently
far apart to pass on each side of the reduced portion of the wing K', in folding
over the last section. The cross head M³ has rack bars 34, meshing with pinions 35,

page_text: on a shaft 36 extending between the standards M'. These pinions also mesh with
racks 37, on the cross head T, before mentioned, and thus operate the bottom
feeding arms t¹, up and down, reversely to the movement of the folding arm M.
Light springs 50 press the wings back into normal position after the box is pushed
to the rear.
The strip having been folded about the bottom as thus far described, the next
action is to move the box to the rear into what is called the presser box, which
comprises the two standards Q Q', and presser mechanism. In order to allow
this the guide plate t is moved below the surface of the table so as to offer no
obstruction to the passage of the box to the rear. This is done by a cam B¹, on
the main shaft, which strikes a lever u, pivoted to a hanger 38, beneath the table.
The lever is connected to the guide by a rod U, which is hinged to the guide;
suitable ways u¹, are secured to the table for the guide to move in.
The guide is
clevated after the cam leaves the roller by a weight u², on the end of the lever,
and this has an adjustable stop screw u³, by which the height of the guide above
the table may be regulated. While the guide is depressed the box is moved into
the presser box by the discharge slide N which moves between the plates I, I'
of the former, and consists of a main arm N¹, and a supplemental arm N°. Each
arm slides against the inner side of one of the spring presser bars Y', the said bars
having slots y to receive the pins 39, on the discharge slide. The main arm has a
cross bar 40, formed therewith, which extends loosely through an opening in the
arm N and through a slot 41 in the former plate I, so that the arm N will be
moved with the arm N', while it may be adjusted laterally with the former plate I,
without being disconnected, the cross bar 40 being long enough for the greatest
lateral adjustment. The slide is guided by a bracket n, and is moved by a pitman 43,
Figures 2 and 6, connected to a lever n', pivoted to a hanger 42, beneath the table.
The lower end of this lever is connected by a bar n², to an arm n³, pivoted beneath
the table and extending into range of a roller 44, on the wheel X, secured to the
main shaft. When the roller strikes the arm n³, the discharge slide operated
thereby forces the box rearward into the presser box, when it is pressed upon by a
spring O, where it is retained for the final pressure, which securely interlocks the
notched ends, and completes the box.
The slide, after forcing the box into the presser box, is returned to normal
position positively and quickly by the same roller striking a bent arm no, pivoted
beneath the table, connected to the lever n' above the pivot by a rod 45. This
frees the space for the feeding of a fresh strip and bottom blank which now takes
place and the folding of which goes on simultaneously with the final pressure of
the box just folded. The pressing mechanism, Figures 1, 2, and 4, consist of two
plates P, P, projecting through an opening in the standard Q', and each pivotally
supported by its shaft P. The plate P, presses the side of the box and is adjustably
connected with its shaft by its shank p', and set screw 46, while the plate P¹, which
presses the end of the box is adjustable by its screw threaded shank which passes
through its shaft p. The end presser plate is held up to bear upon the plate P, by
a spring 46".
Both plates may be thus adjusted laterally towards and from the
passage z, for different sized boxes, and they may also be adjusted vertically by a
screw rod 47, which passes through a cross bar 48, of the standard Q, and is
connected to a collar 49, on the upper shaft p. The shafts p, are journalled one
above the other in sliding boxes p³, which move in ways p², in the standard Q', and
thus by turning the screw the presser mechanism may be moved vertically as a
whole, for different sized boxes. The parts being properly adjusted the box when
pushed back by the slide N, passes its interlocking ends under the projecting edge
of the presser plate P, and in front of the edge of the end presser plate P', and
when the operating rod pis drawn upon the upper plate is forced down, carrying
with it the plate P₁, both plates describing arcs of circles, from their respective
centres. The side of the box is forced down by the plate P, and as the shaft of
the other plate
in a lower plane the edge describes an outward arc and presses
the end of the box, it in effect sliding along the under surface of the upper plate.

page_text: The rod p, is operated from a camp on the shaft D, through a lever p³, pivoted
in a bracket p', beneath the table. A weight 8, on an arm p' of the lower
shaft p, returns the presser mechanism to normal position after the cam p
has acted.
The rod p is screw threaded and adjustably connected to the presser plate P,
by a nut 59, and by this the proper adjustment is aided. The plate O, Fig. 5, is
held by headed rods 50, connected to collars 51, on the lower shaft p, and springs 52
press the plates outward to bear upon the box. The tension is regulated by
screws 53, which pass through elongated collars 54, on the ends of rods 55,
connected to the plate O. The collars encircle the shaft p loosely and the screws
bear thereon.
The standard Q, of the presser box is adjustable laterally in the ways formed in
the table and is moved by the screw Z, Figures 1 and 4, which pass through a
collar 2, held to the base of the standard by a set screw 2. The completed boxes
are forced rearwardly and discharged from the machine by the newly folded boxes
which are pushed rearward in the presser box by the discharge slide N.
It will be noticed that all the parts that act directly upon any part of the box
are adjustable to suit different sizes and thicknesses, lengths and widths.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
1. In a box machine the combination with folding mechanism, and adjustable
strip holder and steam supply conduits leading to the adjustable parts, substantially
as described.
2. The combination of the feed slide G, the rack extension the gear wheel,
the pinion and the alternately gearing segmental wheels which are adjustable,
substantially as described.
3. The guide t, for the strip, a discharge slide N and a yielding presser rod Y,
substantially as described.
4. In combination with the table, strip holder, feed slide and folding mechanism,
the bottom feeding arms, the guide t, and the presser bars to direct and hold the
bottoms, substantially as described.
5. The combination with the holder for the bottoms, of a feeding arm for said
bottoms, and the mechanism for folding the previously grooved strip around the
bottom; substantially as described.
a-also the presser bar and the means for moving the folded box to the presser
bar, substantially as described.
b-also the particular form of presser mechanism, having a vertical and a
horizontal pressure surface provided by the two bars, substantially as
described.
c-also the adjustable presser box comprising the adjustable standards Q, Q',
and the presser bars, adjustable vertically and laterally, substantially as
described.
6. In combination with the folding mechanism and feed devices, the adjustable
ways W, for the bottoms, having the openings w¹ at their ends, substantially as
described.
a-also in combination with the ways having the openings, the cross head
carrying the feed arms t t¹, substantially as described.
b-the two cross heads, one for operating the bottom feeding arms and the
other the folding arms and the racks and pinions for reciprocating the cross
heads reversely, substantially as described.
7. A machine for making boxes by folding grooved wooden strips about the
bottom blanks consisting of a strip holder, a feed slide for pushing the strips into
position, mechanism for folding the grooved strips around the bottoms and pressing
devices for uniting the free ends, substantially as described.
8. The holder for the strips, the feed slide, the former the folding mechanism,

page_text: and the presser mechanism all of said parts being adjustable for different sizes of
boxes and also the adjustable holder for the bottoms and the adjustable means for
placing said bottoms in position substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of May 1892.
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
5, John Dalton Street, Manchester.