Improvements in Paper Box Covering. and Trimming Machines.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Jan., 1888
Specification Accepted, 13th Apr., 1888
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Paper Box Covering. and Trimming Machines.
I, HORACE INMAN, of Amsterdam, in the County of Montgomery, and State of Now
York, United States of America, manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention relates to that class of machines employed for automatically
covering boxes with an outer coating or surface of paper, cloth, or other analogous
material.
The invention consists, first, in bringing the strips together, causing them to overlap
and applying them to the box in one operation while the paste is moist whereby the
strips are caused to adhere to the box and to each other at the same time and by the
same movement.
Second. It consists in lateral adjustments for the guides, whereby the machine is
adapted to different widths of strips.
Third. It consists in lateral adjustments for the box in order to bring it into.
alignment with the strips.
Fourth. It consists in automatic cutting devices which sever the covering or coverings
and trimming materials at the proper times.
Fifth. It consists in vertical and longitudinal adjustments for the cutting devices,
whereby they may be adjusted to boxes of different sizes.
Sixth. It consists in devices whereby the box form may remain at rest during the
action of the cutting devices, and
Seventh. It consists in details of construction.
The apparatus in which my Invention is embodied is shown in the accompanying
drawings, in which I will first represent the box covering and trimming machine
proper. It being shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, and then in Figures 7 to 11
inclusive, I represent the cut off attachment and its co-acting parts.
Figure 1. is a side elevation of my apparatus.
Figure 2. an end elevation, looking toward the end of the machine carrying the reel
on which the paper, cloth, or other covering material is wound.
Figure 3. is a plan or top view of the machine.

page_text: Figure 4. is a detail perspective view of the standards which sustain a paste or glue
drip pan or tank, the transverse bar for supporting the paper, and the guiding points
or fingers.
Figure 5. is a perspective view of a box, showing the covering and trimming applied
thereto; and
Figure 6. a detail perspective view of the carriage to which the form is secured and
the track on which said carriage travels.
The machine, as shown, is supported on legs, A, which are made in any convenient
or desirable form and of any material found most suitable for the purpose, (preferably
of cast iron) and which are connected or otherwise braced together about midway
their height by a rod or bar, A', their lower ends being firmly secured to the floor.
The upper extremities of these legs or standards are provided with vertical extensions, B.
These extensions are provided with suitable apertures and set-screws for the reception
and retention of the bars or ways, C, one end of each of the latter being also bored
out, as indicated at, C, for the purpose of receiving the journals of a reel, D, this
reel is constructed of a series of discs strung on a shaft a short distance apart, forming
deep grooves or passes in which the several strips of covering material or paper are
wound.
The letter, E, indicates a paste tank or vessel having a double bottom, for a purpose
hereinafter named, made of any suitable material, resting at each of its sides on the
said bars, C. Immediately above said tank is journaled a paste-delivering roller, F,
adapted to come down a short distance within the said tank and engage the glue or
paste therein, for the purpose hereinafter more fully set forth. At one end, on the
upper side of this tank, E, is suitably journaled a cross-shaft, G, which is provided
with a link, H, between which and the said bar the paper is adapted to travel, the
object of which is to remove from the paper all surplus glue or paste, at the same time
spreading and leaving a sufficient quantity for the purpose intended. About midway
the said bars, C, and fitting smoothly thereon, is a pair of standards, I, I, connected at
their lower extremities by a cross-rod which serves to support a tank or pan, J, which
catches any paste that may be removed or scraped from the paper during its passage
between said standards. At a point above the bars, C, C, another cross-shaft, K,
Fig. 4. is journaled to these standards, having a link, K', projecting from each side
thereof, between the lower of which links and the shaft K, the two outer strips of
paper (or those known as "trimming") are adapted to pass, while between this shaft
and the upper link the covering proper travels. Near the top of these standards, I, I,
is a further cross-shaft, L, having strung thereon a series of heads or blocks, M, M,
the two inner of which carry depending fingers or guides, N, N, which embrace the
edges of the covering material and serve to guide the same over the said cross-shaft, K,
the latter being intended to separate the covering material from the side strips or
trimming. The two outer heads or blocks are also provided with depending fingers or
or guides, N¹, N'; having horizontal extensions, which fit under the outer strips or
trimming for the purpose of guiding said strips in their proper course, and also for
bringing them nearer together in order to effect a lap between them and the covering.
Each of these heads or blocks is provided with a set-screw for holding them adjustably
in place. Along the bars, C, C, is a further pair of standards, which are suitably
bored to fit the bars and which depend downwardly a short distance, supporting a
rod, O, under which the covering and trimming pass and at which point they are made
to bear firmly against one another, thus serving to unite them together by means of
the paste or glue with which the lower side of the covering is coated.
The letter, P, indicates another supporting bar or rod, located between upper
extensions of one of the legs, which, in connection with the rod, P1, supports the
covering and trimming which have now become united, as they pass between the
guides, S, S, adjustably journaled to the bars, C, C, the latter having set-screws, T, T,
for retaining the guides in proper place.
At the end of the frame and outside of the legs is fixed a track or way, on which
slides a carriage, V.
The carriage is adjusted on the ways, U, U, by means of a threaded rod having a

page_text: milled head, B', the end of the rod working in a lug, W, in the end of the frame. As
the form, D', which carries the box, is supported in the end of the carriage, it may be
adjusted by turning the milled head, B₁, to bring said form into line with the strip.
This form is secured to a transverse shaft, E', journaled in the carriage before
mentioned, and is rotated by means of a spur-wheel, F, mounted on said shaft,
and meshing with a worm, G₁, which also has its bearings in the said carriage.
The letter, H¹, indicates a grooved wheel mounted rigidly on the shaft of this worm,
which receives a rotary motion by means of a belt passing over the same and connect-
ing with a suitable driving mechanism, I, located in close proximity to the machine,
and provided with such auxiliary appliances as to render it completely under the
control of the operator, permitting him to start and stop the said form at will.
The operation of my machine as thus far described may be readily understood by
the following description in connection with the foregoing: The reel, D, being
supplied with the covering and trimming material, (usually paper) the free ends
thereof are passed over the paste roller, F, and through the space between the shaft, G,
and the link, H, by which shaft and link the paste is properly spread. The covering
is then passed between the shaft, K, and link, K, and the trimming below said shaft,
and over the lower link, K', after which they unite at the cross bar, O, having been
caused to lap each other by means of the fingers, N¹. N¹, pressing against the outer
edges of the said strips of trimming, and thus continue on and over the supports, P,
and, P, and between the final guides, S, S, until the free end is attached or stuck to
the box to be covered. The operator then rotates the form, D', thus revolving the
box and permitting of a continuous winding of the covering around the box, that part
known as the "trimming" being pressed down the edges of the said box.
It will be noticed that during the passage of the covering through the machine any
surplus paste which may happen to adhere thereto, after having been applied by the
paste-roller, F, will be removed by the shaft, K, and links, K', and caught by the pan, J.
The paste tank is preferably but not necessarily provided with a double bottom, E", E",
the space between which is charged with steam or other heating agent to prevent
congealing of the paste.
The tension of the covering material and trimming is regulated by changing the
relative position of the paste-roller, F, standards, I, I, and rod, O, each of which is
adapted to slide independently of the other on the bars, C, C, their weight being such
as to retain them in any fixed position without the aid of any further fastening. The
covering and trimming may be of the same or different colors, and there may be one
trimming strip only used if desired.
Referring now to the cut-off attachment and its co-acting parts illustrated in
Figures 7, to 11, inclusive :-
Figure 7. illustrates a top plan view of the cut off.
Figure 8. an end view taken on the line, c, c, of Figure 7.
Figure 9. a view of the inside face of the disc, s.
Figure 10. a view of the outside face of the disc, r.
Figure 11. an edge view of the disc, r.
V, is the arm extending from the machine as shown above. The worm shaft is duly
journaled and rotated in any suitable manner and by any suitable means as also above
stated. The worm G¹ fastened to its shaft meshing into a worm wheel F' on the box
form shaft E which is duly journaled, are also duly shown in these figures; e, is a
shaft or rod journaled or pivoted at, e', e', to the arm V, which supports the box form
shaft. Y, is a block of metal provided with a dove-tailed recess, h, which slides
lengthwise of the arm, V, on the dove-tailed carrier bar, i. j, is an upwardly
extending rod fastened to the block, g. k, is a pair of shears, one blade, k', of which
is fastened to a block, l, which slides vertically on the rod, j, the cutting edge of this
blade is horizontal or substantially so. The other blade, 2, is pivoted to the blade, k¹,
at, 3. A spring washer, kt, acts on a nut on the end of the pivot, k³, which constantly
draws the blades, k, and, together, and secures good shearing action of these
blades. The blade, k, has a pin, k, projecting from it at the rear of the pivot, k³,
which engages with a connecting rod, m. This rod is pivoted to the end of a finger

page_text: or pin extending laterally from the shaft, e. The shaft, e, has also two other fingers
laterally extending therefrom; one, marked, o, near the box form shaft and the other
marked, p, near the further end of the shaft. To this latter finger a spring, g', is
fastened the other end of which is attached to any suitable part of the arm, V. The
spring, gl, acting through the pins, p, and, n, and connecting the rod, m, normally
throws the upper blade, 2, of the shears upwardly, thus holding them open.
น.
r, and, s, are two discs placed side by side on the box form shaft E. The disc, r,
is provided with a hub and setscrew as shown, or other means for fastening it at the
desired spot on the shaft, E. The disc, s, is likewise provided with a hub which is
threaded externally as shown. This disc, however, is not fast on the shaft, E¹, but
rotates thereon. It is held in position by the nut, s¹, screwed on the end of the shaft.
t, is a pin which plays through a hole formed in, and near the edge of, the disc, r, and
projects from the inner face thereof. A spring, u, which is attached to the disc, r, and
to tho pin, t, normally pushes it inwardly through the disc.
is a curved groove
formed in the inner face of the disc, s, coinciding with the line of motion of the pin, t.
20, is a hole through the disc, s, at the end of the groove, v, it is coincident with the
The
hole through the disc, r. x, is a pin which extends from the edge of the disc, r.
end of the spring, u, seen at, u¹, is bent away from the disc, r, and as the disc is
revolved the end, w, of this spring comes in contact with a deflecting cam like
surface, u, formed on any suitable part of the arm, V, or bar, i, in the path of the
end of the spring, ut, as it rotates which pulls the spring, u, outwardly and away
from the disc, r, carrying the pin, t, with it until the pin is withdrawn from the
hole, w, in the disc, s, sufficiently far to permit its end to enter and slide along
the groove, v, to the end thereof and during its passage through the groove
the disc, s, to which is attached the box form and tho box will remain stationary.
The pin when in the hole, w, locks the disc, s, to the disc, r, and compels its
rotation therewith. ¹, is a largo nut roughened on its edge. In the centre thereof
is a threaded hole adapted to engage with the thread on the exterior of the hub of the
disc, s. The boxes to be covered are fastened or held against the outer face of the
disc, s, by means of the nut, a². The disc, s, is in fact a face plate against which
the boxes to be covered are clamped by the nut, ¹.
The operation is as follows:-The shaft, E', is driven by the worm wheel as usual
which rotates the discs, r, and, s, the box form, and the adjacent parts. The covering,
or covering and trimming material coming from the machine passes over the
horizontal blade, k¹, of the shears, k. As the discs, r, and, s, revolve the pin, t, holds
them together, it passing through the transverse holes in them both and is held in its
place by the spring, u, when, however, the end of the spring, u, comes in contact with
the cam surface, ull, the pin, t, is withdrawn by the continued rotation of the discs, r,
and, s, from the hole, w, in the disc, s, and the adjustment of these parts is such that
as they continue their rotation, the pin, a, comes in contact with the pin, o, on the
shaft, e, just as the pin, t, has been sufficiently withdrawn to allow its ends to enter
and slip along in the groove, v, and during this time the disc, s, and the box on it are
stationary, being held back by the uncut covering or covering and trimming material.
The disc, r, however, continues to rotate while the disc, s, is stationary and the pin, c,
pressing against the pin, o, rocks the shaft or rod, e, upwardly, which acting
through the pin, n, and the connecting rod, m, causes the blade, k, of the shears to
sweep downwardly shearing across the edge of the other blade and thus severs the
covering, or covering and trimming material. As soon as the pin, a, disengages from
pin, o, by reason of the continued rotation of the box forin shaft, the spring, g',
acting through the pin, p, rocks the shaft, e, in the opposite direction, and the shears
are open ready for a repetition of the operation.
The operator when removing the covered box from the box form rotates the disc, s,
toward himself a trifle, thus moving the pin, t, back again through the groove, v,
into coincidence with the hole, w. It then enters that hole and locks the discs, r,
and, s, together again. The next box is then applied to the box form and the operation
is repeated.
It will be noticed that my cut-off devico can be adjusted so as to cut the paper at

page_text: exactly the desired place to prevent waste thereof irrespective of the size of the box,
because the block, g, can be moved along the bar, i, to any desired point and tho
arm, n, and connecting rod, m, can likewise be moved on the shaft, e, and the
shears can be raised or lowered as desired, by sliding the block l, on the upright
rod, j.
Many changes in the details of construction both in the covoring and trimming
machine and in the cut off attachment will suggest themselves to those familiar
with such mechanism. I do not, therefore, limit myself to the details of construction
shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is -
First In a machine for covering paper boxes, the combination of an inter-
mittently rotating box form mounted on a continuously rotating shaft, a laterally
extending arm or finger attached to the shaft, and a cut-off device substantially as
described, operated by the said arm or finger at the time the box form is at rest,
all combined and operating substantially as set forth.
Second In a machine for covering paper boxes, the combination of a rotating
box form mounted on a rotating shaft, a laterally extending arm or finger attached
to the shaft and an automatic severing device, substantially as set forth, which is
operated by the arm or finger at each complete rotation of the shaft, substantially as
set forth.
:-
Third The combination in a box covering machine of a face plate which receives
its motion from the box form shaft and a threaded clamping nut adapted to clamp
the box forms against the face plate by the action of screw threads, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
Fourth The combination in a box covering machine of the shears, k, connecting
rod, m, pin, n, pin, p, spring, q', shaft, e, block, g, rod, j, pin, o, and a rotating box
form shaft having an extending arm adapted to engage with the pin, o, as the shaft
revolves substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Fifth The described method of covering boxes consisting in simultaneously
winding upon the box a plurality of strips with their pasted sides all facing one
way, and with the edges of the strips overlapping and automatically severing the
strips when the box has been covered, substantially as set forth.
Sixth-
-An apparatus for applying simultaneously a plurality of strips to a box
and for severing the same, consisting of mechanism for holding and turning the
box, a reel for the strips, pasting mechanism and guiding mechanism for the several
strips whereby they are caused to overlap a suitable supporting frame and automatic
severing devices operating from the box form shaft, substantially as set forth.
Seventh An apparatus for applying simultaneously a plurality of strips to a box
and automatically severing the same consisting of a suitable supporting, frame
mechanism for holding and turning the box, a reel for the strips, pasting mechanism,
and laterally adjustable guiding mechanism for the several strips and a severing
device actuated from the box form shaft, substantially as set forth.
Eighth In a machine for applying a continuous strip or strips to a box, a
continuation of a reel for the strip, a pasting roller revolving in a tank adapted to
hold paste, a revolvable box form and an automatic severing device operated by the
shaft of the box forin, substantially as set forth.
AL
1000
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.