Improvements relating to the Formation of Tubes or Cases of Paper or the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 26th Apr., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Formation of Tubes or Cases of Paper
or the like.
A communication from the STECHER LITHOGRAPHIC COMPANY (a corporation
created and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of New York),
located at No. 336, North St. Paul Street, City of Rochester, County of Monroe,
State of New York, United States of America, Lithographers.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
The present invention relates to machines of the class contained in prior English
Patent No. 5,610 of 1896 for making the tubes or exterior shells of sliding boxes
from paper or cardboard, the particular improvements embodied in the present
application being the devices for handling the tubes, each embodying a number
of separate shells, after they have been formed upon a tube machine, such as con-
tained in the before-mentioned patent, whereby the gum, paste or other adhesive
securing the lapped edges of the tube may be thoroughly dried and the tubes refolded
or broken back on suitable scored or creased lines without liability of their open-
ing at the pasted seam, and then severed into the separate shells or covers, so that
after the tube blanks are fed into the tube machine they do not require handling
until the small separate shells for single boxes are delivered; at the end of the
inachine.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying the improvements.
Figure 2, an end elevation looking from the left hand end of the machine
shown in Figure 1 and showing the application of the device to the tube-forming
machine contained in the above mentioned patent.
Figure 3, an elevation of the refolding device applied to the tube-forming
machine, looking from the bottom of the sheet containing Figure 1, with the
delivering mechanism at the bottom of said figure removed.
Figure 4, a view looking from the right hand end of Figure 1, showing par-
ticularly the feeding-out and cutting mechanism, a portion of the frame at the
end being broken away.
Figure 5, a sectional view on the line x-x of Figure 1.
Figure 6, an enlarged detail view showing the devices for feeding the blanks
into the tube-forming machine, and their connection with the feeding-out
mechanism.
Figure 7, a sectional view on the line a-a of Figure 6.
Figure 8, a sectional view on the line b-b of Figure 1.
Figure 9, a sectional view on the line -c of Figure 1.
Figure 10, a sectional view on the line d-d of Figure 1, showing the ejector
cam and its operating mechanism, the parts intervening between the cam and
ejector-plate being omitted.

page_text: Figure 11, a sectional view on the line e-e of Figure 1.
Figure 12, a sectional view on the line f-f of Figure 4.
Figure 13, a sectional view on the line g-g of Figure 5.
Figure 14, a sectional view on the line - of Figure 4.
Figure, 15, a sectional view on the line jj of Figure 5.
Figure 15, a view of a modification of the devices shown in Figure 15.
Figure 16, a sectional view on the line k-k of Figure 1.
Figure 17, a front view of the feeding-out grippers shown in Figure 16.
Figure 18, a sectional view on the line mm of Figure 16.
Figure 19, a sectional view on the line n-n of Figure 1.
Figure 20, a detail view of the pawl for withdrawing the tubes from the belts
of the drying devices.
Figure 21, a sectional plan view on the lines of Figure 16.
Figure 22, a sectional view on the line, s-s of Figure 14.
Figures 23 and 24, sectional views of the tubes or shells operated upon by
the machine.
Figure 25, a detail sectional view of one of the belt guides.
Figure 26, a detail view of the means for limiting the rotation of the gripper
'shaft.
Figure 27, a sectional view on the line of Figure 26.
Figure 28, a sectional view on the line q-q of Figure 1, showing the spring
devices for holding the grippers.
Similar reference numerals in the different figures indicate similar parts.
In order that the general operation of the present machine may be clearly
understood, Figures 23 and 24 show two cross-sectional views of the paper shells
or tubes operated upon by this machine, in which it will be seen that the tubes
(each of which enibodies several separate shells or covers) have the broad
panels A, A at the top and bottom and the narrow or side panels B, B₁, all said
panels being connected by the flexible hinges formed by creasing or scoring the
blanks on lines D, D', E, E¹. When the tubes are made and at the time they leave
the tube machine and enter the refolding devices, they are folded on the lines D', E
only, and by the refolding devices are turned to the position shown in Figure 24,
that is, they are bent on the lines D, E, on which they were not folded during
their formation, to render these parts flexible and then are returned to the position
shown in Figure 23, so that when the tubes or shells leave the machine both the
scored or creased lines or hinges are rendered flexible and the shells may be
readily moved up into rectangular position to receive the usual slides.
While the present machine is particularly adapted for operating upon tubes for
slide boxes, it will be understood that angular paper tubes for other purposes such
as for receiving whetstones, or strips of chewing gum, or other goods not requiring
an enclosing box, or connected boxes, having the flexible hinge joints between the
parts, could be operated upon. Such connected boxes have been made from a
continuous web of paper cut & creased at regular intervals, the strip being then
folded into a continuous tube, each tube embodying a connected series of tubular
box blanks, which are afterwards severed into separate boxes.
Though it is not absolutely necessary that the refolding devices return the tubes
to the position in which they are formed, it is desirable that they do so, as the
shells will remain flat and in better condition for packing.
In the prior patent referred to is shown a machine for making and refolding
paper tubes from blanks, the refolding of the tubes being accomplished directly
after their formation, but in some instances, as where the machine is operated
rapidly, unless the glue is maintained at the proper consistency, the tubes are
liable to be opened by the non-adhesion of the pasted or glued lapped edges while
being refolded, and to prevent this and also to carry the completed tubes without
bending them and to thoroughly dry the glue and at the same time to economize
floor space the present improvements are applied to the prior forming machine
referred to, or to one similar to it. However, no particular form of tube machine
is essential, but any one that makes tubes from separate blanks could be used.

page_text: .1 indicates the main frame of the tube-forming machine, before referred to,
provided with a feeding table 2 and embodying, generally, a movable belt frame 3
pivoted at 4 carrying a blank feeding-in belt 5 cooperating with a corresponding
belt 6; 7 and 8 indicate the blank creasing or scoring rollers; 9, the blank-feeding
rollers; 10, a large drying wheel at the end of the frame; 11, the small rollers
arranged around its periphery over which the supplemental carrying belts 12
extend; and 13, the glue pot; all of said parts being constructed as in the before-
mentioned patent and shown herein only diagrammatically.
At the bottom of the frame 1 of the tube-forming machine is arranged a pair
of traveling belts 15 between which the flattened tubes are delivered from the
belt 12 or to which the flat tubes are delivered by hand or from any suitable
tube-feeding machine. At opposite sides of these belts 15 are arranged adjustable
guides 16 between which the tubes pass and are delivered between carrying belts 17,
passing around pulleys 18, 18* mounted on suitable shafts in a supporting frame 19,
the completed flattened tubes being carried longitudinally by said belts a certain
distance, limited by a stop 20, and are then ejected laterally from between them
by a movable ejector-plate 21 connected to arms 22 operating in suitable guides
in the frame. These arms are connected to links 23 pivoted to arms 24 rigidly
secured to a rock-shaft 25, an arm 24" on the lower side of said shaft being
operated upon by a pitman 26 having a projection 27 actuated in one direction by
the cam 28 on the shaft 29; said projection and cam being held in engagement
by a spring 30 connected to the link 23 and to the frame. The flattened tubes after
being pushed out from between the belts 17 are delivered upon the surface of
disks or pulleys 31 arranged upon a shaft 32 parallel with the shaft 29, and beneath
gripping fingers 33 on a rock-shaft 34, mounted in bearings formed upon the
arms 35 on the shaft 32; said shaft 32 having at its end a triangular block 35
adapted to engage with pins 36 and 37 on a plate 38 at the end of the machine,
EO as to cause the engagement and disengagement of the gripping fingers. In
order to hold the shaft 34 in either of its positions with the grippers open or closed
a spring 39 is provided pivotally attached to a sleeve 39 rigid on the shaft 32
and also pivotally attached to an arm 33ª on the shaft 34, as shown particularly
in Figure 28. The rocking motion of the shaft 34 is limited by a lug 39b secured
thereon and engaging shoulder 39° on one or more of the arms 35", as in Figures 26
and 27. The stop pins 36 and 37 are so arranged relatively to the rotation of the
shaft 32 and the operations of the parts are so timed, that as the flattened tubes
are pushed from between the belts the grippers will operate to grasp them and
carry them downward a portion of a revolution, then the stop 37 will cause their
release and allow the tubes to be deposited within and to be supported by a series
of oscillating hooks 40 on arms secured to an oscillatory shaft 41 mounted in bear-
ings in the frame parallel with the shaft 32. Also mounted loosely upon the
shaft 41 are pulleys 42 around. which extend carrying belts 43 and at the end of
said shaft is provided a gear 44 meshing with a segment 45 mounted upon the
end of an oscillatory shaft 46 arranged above the shaft 41 and having upon it
loose pulleys 47 around which extend belts 43* corresponding to belts 43
beneath them. The horizontal stretches of the belts 43 and 43* extend
in contact and said belts pass around pulleys 48 on shafts 49, which latter
are removed a sufficient distance from the pulleys 42 and 47 so that the glue on
the lapped and pasted edges of the tube may dry thoroughly before the tubes
reach them. The shafts 41 and 46 are oscillated intermittently in one direction
by means of a pitman 50, pivoted at one end to an arm 51 on the shaft 46 and
adjustably connected at the other end to a rock-arm 52 mounted loosely on the
shaft 25. 53 indicates a pitman having bifurcated ends and a projection 54
the eon, operated upon by a cam 55 on the shaft 29, shown particularly in Figure 19,
this cam and the parts just described, being so timed that as soon as the folded
tube, indicated by the letter T Figure 9, is transferred to the hooks 40, the latter
will be moved upward by the cam and deliver the tube sideways between the
traveling belts 43, and 43, which are continuously moving, as will be presently

page_text: described. The connecting rod 50 is operated in the opposite direction from tha
described and the projection 54 held against the cam by the spring 50* connected
to the pitman and to the frame, as shown in Figure 5. While the belts 43
and 43 serve as conveying belts also, they are principally useful for carrying the
tubes in between pairs of conveying belts 56, which are arranged with their hori
zontal proximate stretches in contact and are continuously moving, and mounted
upon pulleys 57 and 58, the former arranged upon shafts 59 journaled in suitable
bearings and the latter secured rigidly to the rotary shafts 49. The belts 43, 43
and 56 may be of any suitable length, but it is preferred to make them sufficiently
long so that the tubes carried between them will have ample time to dry before
being fed to the refolding device, and in the drawings this drying carrier is indi-
cated of indefinite length by breaking away the central section thereof. A suitable
tension may be given to the belts to hold the tubes firmly between them and prevent
slipping by a transversely extending bar 60 mounted upon arms 61 pivotally
adjustable upon the frame and secured by bolts 60%, as shown particularly in
Figures 2 and 5.
The shafts 29 and 32, which cause the operation of the hook and gripper shafts
just described, and also the devices for controlling the feeding of the blanks into
the tube-forming machine are operated from a timing or controlling shaft 62
mounted, in the present instance, in the frame of the tube-forming machine, said
shaft 62 being provided with a pinion 63 meshing with a gear 64 on the cam-
shaft 29, which meshes with a gear 65 on the shaft 32.
mounted in the frame of the tube machine meshing with a gear 67 on a short
66 indicates a pinion
shaft 68 provided with a cam 69 operating upon a stud or projection 70 on a
yoke at the lower end of a vertically extending thrust rod or pitman 71, which con-
trols the device for governing the feed of the blanks to the tube machine. This
blank-feeding device is, similar to that contained in the before-mentioned patent,
embodying the oscillating frame 3 carrying the blank-feeding belts 5; said frame
being connected by the connecting link 72 with the rod 71.
ing blank-stop mounted upon the end of an
73 indicates a yield-
main frame, and provided with a slot 76 in which operates a finger 77 adjustably
arm 74, pivoted at 75 to the
secured upon the pin 78 on the connecting link 72, as shown in Figure 6 and 7.
The connection between the parts is such that at the same time that a blank is
fed into the tube-forming machine, a folded tube is transferred to the holding
and conveying belts 56 for transmission to the refolding devices. The pusher,
grippers and hooks constitute transferring devices for feeding the tubes to the
holding and conveying belts 43 and 56 from the conveyors 17.
The tube refolding devices may be of any suitable description and are arranged
in a frame 99 located parallel with the frame 1 of the tube-forming machine, but
it is preferred to employ substantially the form of device shown in the before-
mentioned patent, and embodying a series of plain-faced cylindrical rollers with
their axes disposed at various angles, so as to form a refolding die having moving
walls and gradually changing its shape in cross-section from approximately a
line at the entering end to rhomboidal form, then rectangular, then rhomboidal
again with the angles reversed from the previous rhomboidal form, and then
approximately a line, folding the tube on the creased lines of the blank on which
it was not previously folded during the forming operation, and then of such form
that the tube is refolded into the position or form occupied by it when it entered
the refolding device, as shown in Figures 23 and 24. The various positions that
the tube assumes in being refolded are shown in the prior patent and it is not
deemed necessary to show or specifically describe herein the refolder, but have
indicated the pairs of rollers by the numerals 100 to 112 inclusive.
The tubes carried by the belts forming the drier and conveyor are delivered upon
a table 80 and to straighten them and ensure their proper delivery and timing with
relation to the other parts, reciprocating arms or rods 81 are provided operating
in guides 82 extending between the sides of the frame and having on their forward
ends gravitating latch fingers 83 adapted to yield and pass over the tubes when

page_text: the arms are thrust in and to drop down and engage them during their outward
movement and pull the tubes up against the guide or gage 84 arranged on the
table 80, as shown particularly in Figures 1, 5 and 20. The arms 81 for feeding
out the tubes are connected by arms 85 to an oscillating shaft 86 provided with
an arm 87 connected by a connecting rod 88 with the longer arm of a lever 89
pivoted loosely upon the shaft 25 upon the other side of the machine, the shorter
arm of said lever 89 being pivoted to a yoke arm 90 having a pin or projection 91
operated upon by a cam 92 on the shaft 29, as shown in Figures 5 and 11. This
cam causes the inthrust of the rods 81 and the movement in the opposite direction
is caused by a spring 93 connected to the cross arm 94 of the frame and to the
lever 87, as shown in Figure 5. Mounted upon the connecting rod 88 is an adjust-
able stop 95, which limits the upward movement of the pull fingers or latches,
so that tubes of different widths may be drawn against the stop or gage 84, which
latter is also adjustable, as shown in Figure 1.
Referring particularly to Figures 2, 3, 5 and 15,-120 indicates a carriage or
slide movable in suitable ways beneath the table 80 and having upon it an adjust-
able feeding finger or pusher 121 operating in a slot in said table; said finger
being adapted to engage the end of the folded tube delivered upon the table and
to feed the same longitudinally and at right angles to the conveyors 56 into the
refolding device, and as a means for actuating this carriage, an oscillating lever 122
is provided pivoted at 123 to a bracket arm 124 on the supporting frame, the upper
end of said lever being adjustably secured to the carriage by a link 126 pivoted
to the lever and to a bolt 126ª on the carriage. The lever is connected by a pit-
man 127 with a wrist-pin upon a disk or wheel 129 journaled in a bracket-arm 128.
This wheel 129 is rotated continuously by gearing 130, shaft 131, gears 132,
shaft 133, gears 134, vertical shaft 135, and gears 136, one of which latter is
mounted upon the main shaft 137.
If desired, instead of causing the even back and forth motion of the feeding
finger by the use of the pitman 127, said finger may be moved in the direction
to cause the tube to be fed into the refolder at one spced and returned to its outer
position at a relatively higher speed, these movements being accomplished by the
mechanism shown in Figure 15, in which figure the operating lever 422 is shown
pivoted to the bracket arm 423 on which the operating wheel 429 is journaled,
said wheel being provided with a wrist-pin 428 operating in a slot 427 in the
lever. In this device the wrist-pin is closer to the center of oscillation of the
lever when the carriage is moving outward, and, therefore, the return movement is
more rapid than the inward or feeding movement of the finger.
The shaft 49 operating the belts 56 and 43 are geared together and the upper
one is driven from the shaft 133 by beveled gears 138, shaft 140 and gears 141,
as shown particularly in Figures 1 and 5.
After the tubes have passed through the refolding devices, they are delivered
between belts 270, corresponding to belts 17 previously described, and are forced
laterally from between said belts by a pusher 221 connected to arms 222 actuated
in one direction by springs 230 and in the other by a cam located on the shaft 229
and operating through connections, such as shown in Figure 10, all of the parts
corresponding and being in fact duplicates of the parts numbered 20, 21, etc., at
the end of the tube machine. Arranged parallel with the shaft 229 is a shaft 232
carrying disks and grippers for receiving the refolded tubes and delivering them
into hooks 240 on the shaft 241 carrying pulleys around which pass belts 243
corresponding to belts 43, and the construction and operation of said parts being
as before described and as shown in Figures 8, 9 and 19. These belts 243 carry
the tubes between pairs of conveying belts 256, corresponding to the belts 56,
which belts convey the tubes between the cutters and deliver the complete shells.
upon the delivering table 280. Specific description of the parts for delivering
the tubes from the refolder between the belts 256 seems unnecessary in view of
the clear illustration and description of the same mechanisms employed for feeding
the tubes into the driers. The shafts 229 and 242 are driven from the shaft 133,
+4

page_text: by gears 340, 341, 342, 343 and 344, as shown in Figure 4. The belts 256 pass
around and are driven by pulleys 319 and 320 on the shafts 271, 272, the former
shaft having a gear 273 at one end meshing with a gear 274 on the latter, and the
shaft 272 having at one end a beveled gear 275 meshing with a corresponding
pinion on a shaft 276 driven by gears 277 from shaft 133, as shown in Figure 1.
The gear 274 also meshes with a large gear 278 and serves to transmit motion
through the pinions 279 to the shafts 281 and 282 carrying the cutters 284, as
shown in Figures 1 and 4. The belts 256 are kept with their proximate stretches
in engagement by a cross-red 260 attached to adjustable arms 261, similar to the
arm 61 described with reference to the tightener 60 shown in Figure 5. The
shaft 282 carrying the lower cutters is also provided with the pulleys 283 for hold-
ing the tubes tightly while they are severed by the cutting disks 284, which are
mounted upon the shafts 281 and 282, as shown particularly in Figure 12. The
belts 256 are guided and prevented from moving laterally by means of forks 456
secured upon a laterally extending rod 457 arranged between the horizontal stretches
of the lower belts, the fingers of said forks being slightly shorter than the thick-
ness of the belts, as in Figures 14 and 25, so as not to interfere with the tubes
held by the belts.
In order that the tubes may be accurately positioned before passing between
the cutters and also that they may be straightened if they should have been
slightly twisted or otherwise improperly placed between the belts, there is provided
tetween the stretches of the upper belts 256 a cross-bar or frame 285 in which
are bearings for longitudinally reciprocating arms 286 connected by links 287
with arms formed upon or secured to a rock-shaft 2SS mounted in bearings on the
cross-bar 285. The rods 286 are provided with adjustable arms or brackets 286
having pivoted latch fingers 289 thereon passing down between the belts and
adapted when moved away from the cutters to slip over the paper tubes (yielding
on their pivots for the purpose) and when moved in the opposite direction to carry
said tubes forward toward the cutters a determinate distance. The motion for
operating the rods and fingers in the manner described is communicated to the
rock shaft 288 by an arm 290 pivoted at its upper end to a connecting rod 291
pivoted on an oscillating arm 292 and actuated in one direction by a cam 229ª and
in the other by a spring 293, as shown in Figure 4. The rock shaft 288 is also
provided with an arm 294 connected to a bell-crank lever 295 pivoted on the
cross-bar 285 and having one arm connected to a longitudinally movable rod 296
sliding in bearings in the side frame and having upon it a stop or finger 297
adapted to engage the end of the tube at the side of the belts and move it longi-
tudinally a determinate distance, so as to properly position the tubes longitudinally.
This finger 297 is adjustable by means of a screw 298 operating through a
bracket 299 on the rod 296 and provided with a set nut 300, as shown particularly
in Figure 14. The oscillation of the shaft 288 it will be seen causes the lateral
and longitudinal movement of the tubes, while between the belts, and by the
adjustment of the finger 297 the lines of severance can be accurately determined.
While the tubes are being severed into short sections by the cutting disks 284,
the slides are held firmly by the belts 256, as shown particularly in Figure 12,
which latter then carry the sections onward and pass around pulleys 319 and 320
arranged on the shafts 271 and 272 respectively. To ensure the proper positioning
of the separate shells upon the feeding-out table 280, there is arranged upon the
shaft 272 and between the pulleys for the belts thereon several series of gripping
fingers 301 secured to shafts 302 journaled on the pulleys 320 and spaced equally
around them, four being shown in the present instance, said shafts having upon
their ends crank-arms 303, each provided with an operating pin 304 adapted to
co-operate with a stationary cam ring 305 arranged at the end of the shaft and also
with two pivoted spring-operated cam-plates 306, 307, pivoted at 308
and actuated downward by a spring 309, as shown particularly in
Figures 16 and 17. These cam plates are adapted to yield independently and the
cam surfaces thereon are preferably comparatively short so that they will both
operate independently upon the wrist-pin 304 during a quarter of a revolution

page_text: of the shaft 272. The table 280 is provided with fingers 280, which project in
suitable grooves 321 formed in the pulleys 320, so as to arrest the shells as they
are presented edgewise upon the table, and as succeeding shells are fed in behind
those on the table, the whole mass will be pushed to the outer end, suitable yielding
stops being employed to keep them together. The cams and grippers are so
arranged and timed with relation to the feeding-in devices and the straightening
fingers 289 that the gripping fingers are held open by the cam 305 until the
wrist-pin 304 engages the cam portion of the plate 306, when the gripping fingers
are closed down upon the ends of adjacent shells, as shown in Figure 16, said cam
plate 306 holding the grippers in engagement until the pins 304 pass beneath the
cam on the plate 307, which still holds the grippers closed until the ends of the
fingers are about level with the table 280, then the pin 304 engaging
the shoulder 350 of the cam 305 releases the fingers and allows the
shells to be retained by the fingers on the table. The object of employ-
ing two yielding cam-plates is to prevent the release of the succeeding grippers
when the preceding ones are operated by the shoulder 350, as will be understood
from an inspection of Figure 16. The pulleys 320 on the shaft 372 preferably
abut at the edges and are provided with recesses for the accommodation of the
gripping fingers arranged between them, as shown particularly in Figure 18,
there affording practically a continuous roller from end to end.
The general operation of the machine will be understood from the foregoing,
the blanks being fed into a tube-forming machine, either such as contained in
the previous patent or any other suitable machine, then the tubes are delivered to the
conveying belts 56, being maintained with their pasted or glued edges held firmly
together and are moved laterally and at comparatively short distances apart so as
to dry the glue thoroughly, this lateral movement being continued for a sufficient
length of time to allow the glue to dry and then are fed, one at a time, into the
refolder and are delivered laterally and severed into separate shells and packed
upon the receiving table 280. It is quite important that the various mechanisms
be properly timed to accomplish the various operations, and also that the devices
for feeding the blanks into the tube-forming machine be timed with relation to
the tube-feeding devices. As these various devices for feeding the tubes in and
out of the operating mechanisms may be adjusted, the machine may be readily
adapted for boxes or tubes of various sizes without altering the construction of
the machine.
.
It is immaterial what form of tube-refolding device is employed, but that
disclosed in the before-mentioned patent preferred, as it is found admirably
adapted for the purpose, and is capable of being adjusted and accommodated to
tubes or boxes of various sizes.
.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, declare that what I claim is:-
1. The combination with a machine for forming flattened or collapsed angular
paper tubes in which the blanks from which the tubes are constructed and said
tubes move longitudinally through the machine, of devices for refolding said tubes
on lines other than those on which the blanks are folded during their formation,
and mechanism for moving the tubes laterally from the tube-forming machine to
the refolding devices, and devices for feeding the tubes to said refolding devices.
2. The combination with a machine for folding creased blanks into flattened
or collapsed tubes, said blanks having longitudinal creased lines other than those
on which they are folded in the formation of the tubes and in which the blanks
and tubes move longitudinally through the machine, of a refolding device through
which the tubes are passed longitudinally and operating to refold them on the
creased lines, said tube-machine and refolder extending longitudinally in parallel
planes, and a conveying device for carrying the tubes laterally from the tube
machine to the refolder.
3. The combination with a paper tube-forming machine embodying blank creas
ing, pasting and folding devices, of a refolding device for refolding the tubes on

page_text: the creased lines in the opposite direction from that in which they are folded during
their formation, said tube machine and refolder extending substantially parallel
with each other, and conveying and feeding devices for holding the tubes flat and
carrying them laterally from the tube machine to the refolder and feeding them
into the latter.
4. The combination with a machine for forming and pasting paper blanks into
flattened tubes having four longitudinally extending creased or scored lines there-
on, of devices for refolding the tubes on the creased or scored lines, and conveying
devices arranged between the tube machine and refolder for carrying the tubes
from the former to the latter and holding them in flat condition and without
bending or flexing them laterally, thereby holding the pasted edges of the blanks
in contact and permitting them to dry before the tubes are refolded.
5. The combination with a paper tube machine embodying the blank creasing,
pasting and folding devices, and means for moving the blank through the machine
longitudinally, ejecting devices for moving the folded tubes laterally from the
forming machine, conveying and holding devices for carrying the folded tubes
laterally, a refolder for refolding the tubes on the creased lines as they pass longi-
tudinally through it, a tube-feeding device for the refolder operating to receive
the tubes from the conveying device and to feed them into the refolder.
6. The combination with a machine for forming paper blanks into flattened
rectangular tubes having longitudinally extending creased or scored folding lines,
and the lapping edges pasted together, of a refolder for refolding the tubes on the
folding lines, devices for feeding the tubes to the refolder, blank conveying devices
between the tube-machine and the refolder, devices for feeding paper blanks to
the tube machine, and connections between the blank-feeder and the feeder for
the refolder, whereby the blanks and tubes are moved synchronously through the
machine.
7. The combination with a machine for forming paper blanks into flattened
angular tubes, having longitudinally extending creased or scored folding lines
and the lapping edges of the blanks pasted together, of a refolder for refolding
the paper tubes on the creased or scored lines, a conveying and drying mechanism
between the tube machine and the refolder, devices for controlling the feeding of
blanks to the tube-forming machine, devices for feeding the tubes to the con-
veyor and drier, and devices for feeding the tubes from the conveyor, all said
feeding devices being connected for synchronous operation, substantially as
described.
8. The combination with a machine for forming paper blanks into flattened
rectangular tubes having longitudinally creased or scored folding lines with the
lapping edges of the blanks pasted together, of a refolder for refolding the paper
tubes on the creased or scored lines, a conveying and drying mechanism between
the tube machine and refolder, a tube cutting machine arranged beyond the refolder,
devices for controlling the feed of blanks to the tube machine, tube feeding devices
for the conveyor arranged between the tube machine and conveyor, tube feeding
devices for the refolder arranged between the conveyor and refolder, tube feeding
devices for the cutter arranged between the refolder and cutter, all said blank and
tube feeding devices being connected for synchronous operation, substantially
as described.
9. The combination with tube conveying devices, such as belts 17, and the rotary
shaft arranged parallel therewith, having grippers thereon, of the oscillatory
hooks for receiving tubes from the grippers, and conveying belts between which
the hooks operate.
10. The combination with the rotary shaft, having grippers thereon, of the
oscillatory shaft, the hooks thereon for receiving tubes from the grippers, pulleys
loose on the oscillatory shaft, and conveying belts on the pulleys receiving tubes
from the hooks.
11. The combination with the rotary shaft having the pulleys, the gripper
shaft mounted on the shaft having gripping fingers and the block at the end, the

page_text: stationary projection with which the block engages, and the spring for holding
the gripper shaft when operated.
12. The combination with the rotary shaft, having the pulleys, the rock shaft
having the gripper fingers cooperating with the pulleys, of cam devices for rock-
ing the rock shaft and operating the gripping fingers, a spring connected to the
rotary shaft and pivoted to the rock shaft and pressing toward the center of the
latter, and stops for limiting the movement of the rock shaft.
13. The combination with the rotary shaft having the pulleys and gripper
fingers thereon, of the oscillatory shaft, the open hooks thereon cooperating with
the grippers, the belt pulleys loose on said shaft, a shaft parallel with the hook
shaft and belt pulleys thereon, separate conveying belts extending around the
pulleys on the shafts, and means for driving said belts to carry off the tubes
delivered between them.
14. The combination with the rotary gripper shaft, the grippers thereon, the
oscillatory shaft and the open hooks thereon, the shaft above the hook shaft, gear
connections between said shafts, and means for oscillating one of them, and a
series of pairs of conveying belts having parallel stretches and between which the
hooks operate.
15. The combination with the pushers 21, the rotary shaft, the grippers thereon,
the oscillating shaft, the open hooks thereon, and conveying belts between which
the hooks operate, of a controlling cam shaft, as 29, and connections between it
and the rotary shaft, oscillating shaft and pusher, whereby the parts are properly
timed.
16. In a tube machine, substantially as described, the combination with a series
of pairs of conveying belts, each pair having stretches in contact, of an adjustable
belt tightening bar extending transversely between the stretches of one belt of
each pair and operating upon the stretches in contact.
17. The combination with the conveyors, such as belts 256, of the movable
fingers operating between the belts and movable longitudinally, the receiving table
and the reciprocating feeding finger movable transversely of the movement of the
belts.
18. In a tube machine, the combination with the tube conveying belts, a receiv-
ing table, and a refolding device arranged at one side of said belts, of a feeding
finger movable transversely of the belts and operating to feed the tubes longi-
tudinally into the refolder.
19. In a tube machine, the combination with the conveying belts, the receiving
table, and the refolder at one end of the latter, of the reciprocating arms having
latches thereon and operating longitudinally of the belts, and a reciprocating
tube-feeding finger movable transversely of the belts to feed the tubes longitudinally
into the refolder.
20. The combination with the slotted receiving table 80 and the refolder at the
end of the table, of the slide beneath the table, the feeding finger on the slide,
and means for reciprocating the slide in opposite directions.
21. The combination with the receiving table and the refolder at the end thereof,
of the slide or carriage having a feeding finger, the lever pivoted to the slide and
to the frame, the rotary wheel having the wrist-pin and the pitman connecting
the slide and lever.
22. The combination with the tube conveying devices, such as belts 17, conveying
belts operating at right angles to the other conveyors, and transferring devices for
removing the tubes from the first-mentioned conveyors and delivering them
between the second conveying belts, of reciprocating bars having latches thereon
operating between the belts near their delivery ends, a receiving table, a laterally
movable tube-feeding finger operating over the table, and connections between the
tube transferring devices and reciprocating bars for synchronizing their operation.
23. The combination with the belts 56, the reciprocating rods 88, having the
latch fingers thereon operating between the belts, cam devices for operating said
rods in one direction, a spring for operating said rods in the other direction, and
an adjustable stop for controlling the movement of said rods.
24. The combination with the series of tube-conveying belts, such as 256, of the

page_text: latch fingers movable longitudinally of the belts, and the finger movable laterally
of the belts, said fingers engaging the tubes and straightening and positioning
them, and connections for causing the simultaneous operation of said fingers.
25. The combination with a series of tube conveying belts, such as 256, and
rotary cutters arranged between them, of pushing or jogging fingers movable
laterally and longitudinally of the belts and operating upon the tubes held between
them to position them.
26. The combination with a series of tube conveying belts, such as 256, and
rotary cutters arranged between them, of the pivoted fingers 289, and the finger 297,
connected for simultaneous operation to straighten and properly position the
tubes held by, the belts.
27: The combination with the belts. 256, the reciprocating rods 286, the latch
fingers thereon, the rod 296 movable laterally of the belts, and the adjustable
finger 297 thereon, of the rock shaft 288, and connections between it and the
rods 286 and 1296, substantially as described.
28. The combination with a series of pairs of tube-conveying belts, of rotary
cutters arranged between said pairs of belts, and rotary grippers also arranged
between said belts substantially in line with the cutters, and operating to grip the
ends of the adjacent tube sections.
29: The combination with a series of rotary cutters, conveying, devices for
moving paper tubes laterally between said cutters, of a series of feeding-out
grippers arranged substantially in line with the cutters and operating to grip the
ends of the adjacent tube sections.
30. The combination with a series of rotary cutters, conveying devices for moving
paper tubes laterally between said cutters, of a series of rotary pulleys having
the grippers thereon, substantially in line with the cutters, and the receiving table.
31. The combination with a rotary pulley having a plurality of pivoted grippers
arranged around its periphery each gripper having an eccentric operating projec-
tion, as 304, and two independent spring-operated cam plates, as 306 and 307,
with which the operating projections successively cooperate.
32. The combination with a rotary shaft, the pulleys, a plurality of shafts
journaled in the pulleys and having gripping fingers thereon, and the cranks 303
and pins 304 on the shafts, of the cam plate 305, the independent spring-operated
plates 306, 307 with which the pins engage, and the receiving table 280.
33. The combination with the shaft 272, the pulleys 320 arranged on the shaft
and having their edges abutting and the recesses in their adjacent edges, the
shafts 302 journaled in the pulleys, the gripping fingers in the recesses between
the pulleys, and means for operating said gripper shafts.
34. The combination with a machine for forming paper tubes, a movable finger,
as 73, controlling the feed of tube blanks to said machine, and means for operating
it, of the tube-feeding belts, as 17, the laterally movable pushers, the cam shaft
for operating them, as 29, the controlling shaft, as 62, and connections between
said controlling shaft, the finger-operating devices and the cam shaft for causing
their synchronous operation.
35. The combination with a machine for forming paper tubes, blank-feeding
devices therefor embodying the belts 5 and 6, the movable frame 3 and the finger 73,
of the cam shaft 68 and the cam thereon, connections between said cam shaft and
the frame 3 and finger 73, a pair of feeding-out belts, as 17, the laterally movable
Dusher, the cam shaft 29 controlling the operation of the latter, and gearing
between the shafts 68 and 29, substantially as described.
36. The combination with the conveying belts, as 256, of the belt guides having
fingers shorter than the thickness of the belts, and means for moving the tubes
laterally of the belts and while held between them.
37. The combination with the conveying belts 256, arranged in, pairs and with
corresponding stretches in contact, of the guiding fingers 456 arranged to guide
the upper stretches of the lower belts, and means for operating the tubes laterally
and while between the belts.

page_text: 38. The combination with a tube-forming machine and blank-feeding devices
for feeding single blanks to said machine, of devices for feeding the complete
separate paper tubes laterally from the forming machine and positive gear con-
nections between the blank-feeding devices and the devices for feeding the tubes
out for causing their synchronous operation, whereby when a blank is fed in, a
complete tube is fed out, substantially as described.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.