Improvements in Machines for Making the Shells of Boxes.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Making the Shells of Boxes.
I, ARTHUR BENJAMIN COWLES, of 12, Chamberlain Street, in the City of
Rochester, and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in machines for making the exteriors
or shells of boxes, as cigarette-boxes, and has for its object the production of a
machine for the desired purpose, which operates with great rapidity, is particularly
simple in construction and is highly efficient in use; and, to this end, the invention
consists in the combination, construction and arrangement of the component parts
of a box-machine.
The main frame of my improved box-machine may be of any desirable form,
size and construction, and is usually provided at its front end with suitable cutting
and scoring rollers and a support which is arranged at one side of the cutting and
scoring rollers and supports the blanks or other articles fed to said rollers. These
blanks or other articles are arranged on said supports between guide-rails or
gages, one of which is preferably yieldingly adjustable automatically towards and
away from the other. The ends of the guide-rails or gages usually support a
guide-roller arranged in close proximity to the cutting and scoring rollers. One
of the cutting and scoring rollers is preferably journaled in fixed bearings pro-
vided upon the main frame of my machine and is driven positively
by suitable gearing; and the other cutting and scoring roller is generally
driven frictionally by engagement with the blanks or other articles passed between
said rollers, and is supported by one extremity of any desirable movable frame
having its opposite extremity flexibly connected to the main frame of my machine.
Said movable frame is generally composed of substantially parallel bars arranged
on opposite sides of the path of movement of the blanks or other articles, and also
supports a suitable feed which engages the upper faces of the blanks or other
articles and preferably consists of endless belts passing over pulleys yieldingly
journaled in the movable frame. The free end of said movable frame is adjusted
towards the blanks or other articles by any desirable means and is limited in its
adjustment by suitable stops.
ever,
Each of the cutting and scoring rollers is usually provided with a cutting knife
arranged to split lengthwise the blanks or other articles fed to said rollers and thus
form two blanks arranged side by side, in order that two box-exteriors or shells
may be made side by side at the same time by my improved machine. If, how-
the blanks or other articles are first cut to the desired width, no cutting knives
upon said rollers are necessary. The scoring knives of said rollers are preferably
arranged so as to provide the blanks or other articles fed thereto with lengthwise
scores or creases which divide said blanks or other articles into lengthwise portions
forming the lapping flaps and the sides of the box-exteriors or shells produced by
my machine. In the operation of this machine, the outer portions of the blanks
or other articles are bent upwardly from said creases or scores, glue is applied to

page_text: the lapping portions or flaps, and said blanks or other articles are then folded into
tubes of angular cross-section. It is obvious, however, that the blanks or other
articles operated upon by my improved machine may be provided with a greater
or less number of lengthwise scores or creases and may be otherwise operated upon
if desired.
The lower faces of the blanks or other articles fed between the cutting and
scoring rollers are engaged by a second feed which extends lengthwise of the main
frame of my machine from a point in close proximity to said rollers, and prefer-
ably consists of endless belts having corresponding ends passed over pulleys sup-
ported adjacent to the cutting and scoring rollers and their opposite ends passed
over a drum suitably connected to a driving shaft. The second feed extends beyond
the first feed, and a third feed is arranged at the rear of the first feed for engaging
the upper faces of the blanks or other articles engaged by the first and second feeds.
The third feed preferably consists of endless belts arranged in pairs and passed
over pulleys yieldingly journaled in a second movable frame supported at the rear
of the first movable frame. The second movable frame preferably consists of
parallel bars arranged at opposite sides of the path of movement of the blanks or
other articles engaged by said feeds, and its rear end is hinged to the frame of my
improved machine and its front end is engaged by suitable adjusting means and
stops. The described means for feeding the blanks or other articles through my
improved machine is particularly practical and effective, but other suitable devices
may be used for this purpose if desired.
During the engagement of the blanks or other articles by the feeds, just described,
suitable means operate to bend the outer portions of said blanks upwardly from
their lengthwise scores or creases and fold the same upon formers arranged in pairs,
one in advance of the other, in proximity to said feeds. Each of the advance
formers is supported in close proximity to the cutting and scoring rollers and
consists of lengthwise bars or divisions arranged side by side and adjustable later-
ally towards and away from each other. The front extremities of the inner or
adjacent side edges of the lengthwise bars or divisions of the advance formers are
provided with cutouts for receiving the belts forming the first feed, and the outer
side edges of said bars or divisions are formed with diverging portions. The
front and rear ends of the lengthwise bars or divisions of the advance formers are
suitably secured to the free or advance end of the movable frames of my improved
machine, and, consequently, the adjusters for said movable frames operate to vary
the position of the advance formers.
The means for bending the blanks or other articles at two of their lengthwise
scores or creases and folding said blanks or other articles upon the advance formers
preferably consists of rollers supported at the outer side edges of the advance
formers in advance of the diverging portions of said edges. These rollers are
preferably formed with engaging surfaces which are arranged at different angles
to the side edges of the advance formers and operate to bend outer portions of the
blanks or other articles upwardly from said two of their lengthwise scores or
creases and fold said upwardly bent portions upon the advance formers. The
rearwardly diverging portions of the outer side edges of the advance
formers then reversely bend the outer side portions of said blanks or
other articles. Said rollers just described are preferably mounted upon
yielding arms secured to supporting bars which are adjustable laterally towards
and away from the longitudinal edges of the advance formers, and are secured in
position by suitable fastening means.
The rear formers are so arranged that their outer side edges are out of alingnment
with the similar edges of the advance formers, in order to facilitate the bending
of the blanks or other articles at additional scores or creases thereof. Each of
the rear formers preferably consist of substantially parallel bars or divisions
adjustable laterally towards and away from each other, and having the ends of
their inner edges preferably formed with cutouts for receiving the belts forming
the third feed previously described. The top faces of the rear ends of the bars or

page_text: divisions of the rear formers usually incline upwardly from their outer side edges,
and the rear extremities of said inclined top faces incline downwardly towards the
second feed. The front ends of the bars or divisions of the rear formers are
usually provided with upwardly extending arms which are adjustably secured to
said front ends and support yielding presser-rollers projecting into the cutouts
in the inner or adjacent edges of said bars or divisions. The rear ends of the bars
or divisions of the rear formers unsupported and are secured together by suitable
detachable tie-pieces of unequal length.
The means for elevating the portions of the blanks or other articles extending
outwardly beyond said additional scores or creases and folding said portions of the
blanks or other articles upon the rear formers preferably consists of belts, additional
rollers and advance and rear presser-pieces. The belts for bending the blanks
or other articles are usually arranged in the paths of movement of the outer por-
tions of said blanks or other articles and on opposite sides of the feeds engaged
therewith. The additional rollers for bending the blanks or other articles are
supported at the rear of said belts and are provided with engaging faces arranged
at different angles to the longitudinal outer edges of the rear formers, and the
engaging faces of a number of said rollers are arranged at gradually decreasing
angles to the upper faces of the rear formers for gradually folding the blanks
upon said formers. These additional rollers are usually mounted upon yielding
arms secured to supporting bars which are adjustable laterally towards and away
from the outer side edges of the rear formers.
The advance presser-pieces for bending the blanks or other articles preferably
consist of endless belts arranged in alignment with the rear formers above the
second feed, previously described, and extending rearwardly beyond said formers.
The opposite ends of the belts forming the advance presser-pieces are preferably
passed over pulleys aranged one in advance of the other, and supported respectively
by the rear movable frame and arms projecting upwardly from the main frame
of my improved machine. The lower faces of the pulleys supporting the rear
ends of these presser-belts are generally arranged in close proximity to the
second feed, and the corresponding faces of the pulleys supporting the front ends
of said belts are considerably elevated above the second feed. Suitable idlers are
arranged at the rear of the pulleys supporting the front ends of the presser-belts
and above the lower portions of said belts. The lower faces of these idlers are
arranged in close proximity to the second feed and, consequently, the front ends
of the lower portions of the presser-belts incline downwardly from their front
extremities and operate to gradually flatten the blanks or other articles folded
upon the rear formers. The glue or paste is applied by a suitable feed to the
blanks or other articles before their engagement by the advance presser-pieces,
and, therefore, by gradually flattening said blanks, the glued surfaces thereof
are caused to assume their proper position for forming folded blanks of uniform
width. The rear presser-piece usually consists of a roller extending cross-wise
of the second feed, previously described, at the rear of the advance presser-pieces.
This presser-piece may however, be dispensed with if desired.
The means for feeding the glue or paste to the blanks or other articles preferably
consists of revoluble wheels supported between the adjacent ends of the front and
rear formers and beneath suitable presser-pieces for forcing the blanks or other
articles into engagement with said wheels in order to insure positive feeding of
the glue. These presser-pieces may be of any desirable construction but prefer-
ably consist of spring arms secured to supporting clamps or holders which are
usually composed of split eyes adjustable lengthwise of a rod or bar extending
crosswise of the main frame of my improved machine. The glue-applying wheels
revolve in a receptacle which is preferably mounted on a movable frame and is
supplied with glue or paste by a pipe depending from a superimposed receptacle.
A suitable steam-pipe enters the upper glue-containing receptacle and maintains
the desired temperature thereof. The means for folding the blanks or other
articles and applying glue or paste thereto are particularly practical and effective,

page_text: but if desired, any other suitable devices for performing these operations may be
embodied in my improved machine.
In the preferable construction of my improved machine, I use a blower for
facilitating the cooling and drying of the glue or paste applied to the blanks or
other articles. This blower is usually detachably secured to the main frame of
my improved machine, and its exit or discharge-end is arranged in close proximity
to the glue-applying feed. It is obvious, however, that said blower may be dis-
pensed with if desired.
After the blanks or other articles are folded, as described, they are
then squeezed or subjected to pressure by any suitable means, in order
to ensure proper adhesion of their glued or pasted surfaces. The means for
squeezing the blanks may be of any desirable form, size, and construction, but
preferably consists of presser-rollers, belts passing over the presser-rollers, and
suitable presser-pieces. A number of the presser-rollers are mounted in yielding
bearings, one in advance of the other, and extend crosswise of the drum which
supports the rear ends of the endless bèlts forming the second feed, previously
described. The remaining presser-rollers are supported in yielding bearings in
advance of said drum above and below the lower portions of the belts passing over
said drum. The belts passed around said presser-rollers are arranged with portions
thereof in close proximity to adjacent portions of the belts forming said second
feed. The presser-pieces of said squeezing means preferably consist of revoluble
toothed wheels, which are mounted in yielding bearings above suitable idlers,
and operate to intermittently press or hammer the folded blanks engaged by said
squeezing means. Said presser-pieces are usually raised intermittently out of
operative position by suitable means. After the blanks are squeezed or subjected
to pressure, as described, they are discharged into a receptacle, and are then cut
into suitable lengths. The described means for squeezing or excrting pressure
upon the blanks or other articles fed through my improved machine is particularly
applicable for use in connection with the remaining parts of said machine, but
any other suitable means may be used for this purpose.
ARTHUR BENJAMIN COWLES.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Machines for Making the Shells of Boxes.
I, ARTHUR BENJAMIN COWLES, of No. 12, Chamberlain Street, in the City of
Rochester, County of Monroe, and State of New York, United States of America,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this 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 machines for making the exteriors or shells of boxes,
and has for its object the production of a machine for the desired purpose, which
operates with great rapidity, is particularly simple in construction and is highly
efficient in use; and to this end, the invention consists in the combination, con-
struction and arrangement of the component parts of a box-machine.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my box-machine.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the front end of this machine.
Figures 3 and 4 are vertical sections, partly in elevation, of the front and rear
ends of said machine.

page_text: Figure 5 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of a portion of the front end
of my box-machine, showing the upper cutting and scoring roller, the formers
and bending means adjacent to said roller, and a pair of blanks operatively engaged
by said formers and bending means.
Figure 6 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of a portion of the central or
intermediate part of said machine, showing the rear formers and bending means
and a pair of blanks operatively engaged by said formers and bending means.
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are vertical sections, partly in elevation, taken
respectively, on lines 7-7, 8-8, 9-9, 10-10, 11-11, 12-12, and 13-13,
Figure 1.
Figure 14 is an enlarged vertical section, partly in elevation, of portions of the
cutting and scoring rollers of my box-machine."
Figures 15 and 10 are isometric views of the detached front and rear formers
of this machine.
Figure 17 is an isometric view of the tie-piece for the lengthwise bars or divisions
of the rear former.
Figure 18 is an isometric view of the presser-piece for forcing the blanks into
engagement with the glue-applying wheel and the clamp or holder for securing
said presser-piece in position.
Figure 19 is an isometric view of one of the detached lengthwise bars arranged
at the side of the rear former for supporting the bending means co-operating with
said former, a portion of one of the crosswise bars upon which said lengthwise
bar is mounted being also illustrated.
Figure 20 is a vertical section taken on line 20-20, Figure 13.
Figure 21 is an enlarged section of one of the detached presser-pieces for
hammering or pressing together the glued portions of the blanks.
Figures 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 are isometric views of one of the blanks,
partly broken away, fed through my machine and formed thereby into a tubular
shell, these views showing the various manipulations of the blank; and
Figure 29 is an isometric view of a portion of one of said shells bent into its
usual form.
The main frame A of my box-machine may be of any desirable form, size, and
construction, and is usually provided at its front end with suitable cutting and
scoring rollers B3 B1 and a support a which is arranged at one side of the rollers B B¹
and supports the blanks or other articles c fed to said rollers. These blanks or
other articles are preferably formed of paper, cardboard or similar material and
are arranged on said support between guide-rails or gages a¹ a² one of which, as
the one a², is preferably yieldingly adjustable automatically towards and away
from the other. The rear ends of the guide-rails or gages a¹ a² usually support
a guide-roller arranged in close proximity to the cutting and scoring rollers.
One of the cutting and scoring rollers, as the lower roller B, is preferably jour-
naled in fixed bearings provided upon the main frame A and is driven positively
by suitable gearing B2, Figure 5, connected to an adjacent shaft d. The other
cutting and scoring roller is generally driven frictionally by engagement with
the blanks or other articles c passed between the rollers B B¹, and is supported in
bearings provided upon the front extremity of a movable frame A¹ having its
opposite extremity flexibly connected by pivots a to the main frame A. Said
movable frame is usually composed of substantially parallel bars arranged on
opposite sides of the path of movement of the blanks or other articles, and also
supports a suitable feed D which engages the upper faces of the blanks or other
articles and preferably consists of endless belts passing over pulleys d d yield-
ingly journaled in said movable frame. The free end of the movable frame A¹
is adjusted towards the blanks or other articles by any desirable means,
adjusters a, and is limited in its adjustment by suitable stops aº, Figures 1, 8
and 9. Said adjustment of the free end of the movable frame A¹ moves the
roller B and the feed 1 towards the blanks or other articles e and adds greatly
to the efficiency of this machine,
as

page_text: Each of the cutting and scoring rollers is usually provided with a cutting knife b
arranged to split lengthwise the blanks or other articles fed to said rollers and
thus form two blanks c c, Figure 5, arranged side by side, in order that two box-
exteriors or shells may be made side by side at the same time by my machine.
If, however, the blanks or other articles are first cut to the desired width, no cut-
ting knives upon said rollers are necessary. The scoring knives 6' of the rollers B B¹
are preferably arranged so as to provide the blanks or other articles fed thereto
with lengthwise scores or creases which divide said blanks or other
articles into lengthwise portions ccfc7c8c, Figures 22 and 25, forming the
lapping flaps and the sides of the box-exteriors or shells produced by my machine.
The lengthwise portions c6 8 of the blanks c are of substantially the same width
as each other and are of less width than the lengthwise portions which are
also of substantially the same width as each other. In the operation of this
machine, the outer portions of the blanks or other articles are bent upwardly
from the creases or scores c¹³ ³, glue is applied to the lapping
portions or flaps 9, and said portions or flaps are folded beneath
the outer parts of the lengthwise portions 5, thus forming the blanks or other
articles into tubes of angular cross-section. It is obvious, however, that the blanks
or other articles c operated upon by my machine may be provided with a greater
or less number of lengthwise scores or creases and may be otherwise operated
upon if desired.
The
The lower faces of the blanks or other articles fed between the cutting and
scoring rollers are engaged by a second feed D¹ which extends lengthwise of the
main frame of my machine from a point in close proximity to said rollers, and
preferably consists of endless belts having their upper and lower portions sup-
ported by idlers and their front ends passed over pulleys supported adjacent
to the rollers B B upon the shaft d, and their opposite ends passed over a drum d
suitably connected to any desirable driving means, not illustrated. The second
feed D extends rearwardly beyond the first feed D, and a third feed D2 is arranged
above the second feed D₁ at the rear of the first feed D for engaging the upper
faces of the blanks or other articles engaged by the first and second feeds.
third feed I usually consists of endless belts passed over pulleys d yieldingly
journaled in a second movable frame A2 supported at the rear of the first movable
frame. The movable frame A2 preferably consists of parallel bars arranged at
opposite sides of the path of movement of the blanks or other articles engaged
by said feeds, its rear end is flexibly connected by pivots a to the frame A and
its front end is engaged by suitable adjusters as and stops a, Figures 1 and 10.
The described means for feeding the blanks or other articles through my machine
is particularly practical and effective, but other suitable devices may be used for
this purpose if desired.
During the engagement of the blanks or other articles by the feeds D D¹ D³,
just described, suitable means operate to bend the outer portions of said blanks
upwardly from their lengthwise scores or creases c¹² and fold the same
upon formers E El arranged in pairs, one in advance of the other, in proximity
to said feeds. Two formers E E' are used for the reason that the blanks are
preferably formed with four length wise scores or creases c³ ³ ³ and it is desirable
to fold said blanks at each score or crease, in order that the completed box may
be readily bent to the desired form, as indicated in Figure 29. The former E
co-operates with the rollers fƒ hereinafter described, to fold the blanks at their
lengthwise scores or creases c³ c4 and the former E¹ co-operates with the belts f³
and the rollers f³, also hereinafter described, to fold said blanks at their scores
or creases c¹³. Each of the advance formers E, as best seen in Figures 5 and 15,
is supported in close proximity to the cutting and scoring rollers B B¹ and pre-
ferably consists of lengthwise bars or divisions e e arranged side by side and
adjustable laterally towards and away from each other. The front extremities of
the inner or adjacent side portions of the bars or divisions e e of the advance
formers are usually provided with longitudinal cutouts e¹ which form lengthwise

page_text: slots in said formers for receiving the belts forming the first feed D, and the outer
side edges of said bars or divisions are generally formed with diverging portions e².
The front and rear ends of the lengthwise bars or divisions e e of the advance
formers E are suitably secured to the free or advance ends of the movable
frames A¹ A2 of my machine, as seen in Figure 3, and, consequently, the
adjusters as a for said movable frames operate to vary the position of the
advance formers E..
The means for bending the blanks or other articles at their lengthwise scores
or creases and folding said blanks or other articles upon the advance formers E
preferably consists of rollers f supported at the outer side edges of the advance
formers E in advance of the diverging portions e² of said edges and at opposite
sides and at the rear of the first feed D. These rollers are usually formed with
engaging surfaces which are arranged at different angles to the adjacent longitu-
dinal edges of the formers E and operate to bend outer portions of the blanks or
other articles upwardly from the lengthwise scores or creases c² 4 Figures 8 and 23,
and fold said upwardly bent portions upon the advance formers, Figures 9 and 24.
The rearwardly diverging portions e² of the outer side edges of the formers E then
reversely bend the outer side portions of said blanks or other articles to the original
flat condition as best seen in Figures 5, 10 and 25. Said rollers, just described,
are preferable journaled in yielding arms or portions of suitable supports secured
to supporting bars F which are adjustable laterally towards and away from the
longitudinal edges of the advance formers, and are secured in position by suitable
fastening means, as set-screws f¹, Figure 3.
The rear formers E¹, Figures 4 and 16, are preferably so arranged that their
outer side edges are out of alignment with the similar edges of the advance
formers E, in order to facilitate the bending of the blanks or other articles cat
the scores or creases c¹³, as best seen in Figure 26. The portions of the blanks
or other articles c folded upon the rear formers E¹ are therefore of different
width than the portions of said blanks or other articles folded upon the front
formers E. Each of the rear formers usually consists of substantially parallel
bars or divisions adjustable laterally towards and away from each other, and
having the front ends of their inner edges preferably formed with longitudinal cut-
outs which form lengthwise slots in said formers for receiving the belts form-
ing the third feed D², previously described. The top faces of the rear ends of the
bars or divisions e³ of the rear formers E¹ usually incline upwardly from their outer
side edges, and the rear extremities of said inclined top faces generally incline
downwardly towards the second feed D. The front ends of the bars or divisions e³
of the rear formers are usually provided with upwardly extending arms which
are adjustably secured to said front ends and support yielding presser-rollers e6
projecting into the cutouts . The rear ends of said bars or divisions e³ are
unsupported and are secured together by suitable detachable tie-pieces e' of unequal
length.
The means for elevating the portions of the blanks or other articles extending
outwardly beyond the scores or creases c¹ c³ and folding said portions of the
blanks or other articles upon the rear formers E' preferably consists of belts f³
rollers 3 and advance and rear presser-pieces f* f5. The belts f2, Figures 1, 4
and 11 are usually arranged in the paths of movement of the outer portions c
of said blanks or other articles and on opposite sides of the feeds D D engaged
therewith. The rollers f³ are supported at the rear of the belts f and are gener-
ally provided with engaging faces arranged at different angles to the longitudinal
outer edges of the rear formers, and the engaging faces of a number of the rollers f³.
are arranged at gradually decreasing angles to the top faces of the rear formers
for gradually folding the blanks upon said formers, Figure 6. These rollers f
are usually mounted upon yielding arms or portions of suitable supports secured
to bars f, Figure 6, which are adjustable laterally towards and away from the
outer side edges of the rear formers E.
C
The advance presser-pieces f* for bending the blanks or other articles e preferably

page_text: consist of endless belts which are aranged in alignment with the fear
formers E above the second feed D¹, previously described, and extend rearwardly
beyond said formers. The opposite ends of the belts forming the advance presser-
pieces are usually passed over pulleys f7 f8 arranged one in advance of the other,
and supported respectively, by arms projecting upwardly from the main frame A,
and by the rear movable frame A³. The lower faces of the pulleys f supporting
the rear ends of these presser-belts are generally arranged in close proximity to
the second feed D¹ and the corresponding faces of the pulleys fo supporting the
front ends of said belts are considerably elevated above the second feed. Suitable
idlers fo, Figure 4, are arranged at the rear of the pulleys f8 and above the lower
portions of said belts. The lower faces of these idlers fare arranged in close
proximity to the second feed D', and, consequently, the front ends of the lower
portions of the presser-belts incline downwardly from their front extremities and
operate to gradually flatten the blanks or other articles e folded upon the rear
formers. The glue or paste is applied by a suitable feed to the blanks or other
articles c before their engagement by the advance presser-pieces f*, and, there-
fore, by gradually flattening said blanks, the glued surfaces thereof are caused to
assume their proper position for forming folded blanks of uniform width. The
rear presser-piece 5, Figures 1 and 4, usually consists of a roller extending cross-
wise of the second feed D', previously described, at the rear of the advance
presser-pieces f*. This presser-piece f5 may however be dispensed with if desired.
The means for feeding the glue or paste to the blanks or other articles prefer-
ably consists of revoluble wheels g, Figures 4 and 10, supported between the
adjacent ends of the front and rear formers E E¹ and beneath suitable presser-
pieces g¹ for forcing the blanks or other articles into engagement with said wheels,
in order to insure positive feeding of the glue. These presser-picces g¹ may be
of any desirable construction, but generally consist of spring arms secured to
supporting clamps or holders which are usually composed of split eyes g² adjust-
able lengthwise of a rod or bar a extending crosswise of the main frame of my
machine. The glue-applying wheels g revolve in a receptacle g3 which is pre-
ferably mounted on a movable frame g and is supplied with glue or paste by a
pipe depending from a superimposed receptacle 96. A suitable steam-pipe g',
Figure 1, enters the upper glue-containing receptacle g and maintains the desired
temperature thereof. The means for folding the blanks or other articles and apply-
ing glue or paste thereto are particularly practical and effective, but if desired,
any other suitable devices for performing these operations may be embodied in
my machine.
In the preferable construction of my machine, I use a blower H for facilitating
the cooling and drying of the glue or paste applied to the blanks or other articles.
This blower is usually detachably secured to the main frame A and its exit or
discharge-end is arranged in close proximity to the glue-applying feed. It is
obvious, however, that said blower may be dispensed with if desired.
After the blanks or other articles care folded, as described, they are then
squeezed or subjected to pressure by any suitable means, in order to insure proper
adhesion of their glued or pasted surfaces. The means for squeezing the blanks
may be of any desirable form, size, and construction, but preferably consists of
presser-rollers, belts, and suitable presser-pieces 18. A number of the
presser-rollers 6 are mounted in yielding bearings, one in advance of the other,
and extend crosswise of the drum which supports the rear ends of the endless
belts forming the second feed D¹, previously described. The remaining presser-
rollers are supported in yielding bearings in advance of said drum above and
below the lower portions of the belts forming the feed D. The belts & pass
around the presser-rollers de arranged crosswise of the drum and portions of
said belts are arranged in close proximity to adjacent portions of the belts form-
ing the second feed D' and extend forwardly beyond the drum d and between
the presser-rollers de arranged in front of said drum. The presser-pieces pre-
ferably consist of revoluble toothed wheels, which are mounted in yielding bear-

page_text: ings in front of the drum d' and above two of the idlers d³, and operate to inter-
mittently press or hammer the folded blanks engaged by the feed D¹ and the
belts d. Said presser-pieces d³ are usually raised intermittently out of operative
position by suitable means which preferably consists of toothed wheels d mounted
on the opposite ends of the shafts of the adjacent idlers and engaged with
rollers provided on the shafts of said presser-pieces. After the blanks are squeezed
or subjected to pressure, as described, they are discharged into a receptacle, not
illustrated, and are then cut into suitable lengths as seen in Figure 29. The
described means for squeezing or exerting pressure upon the blanks or other articles
fed through my machine is particularly applicable for use in connection with the
remaining parts of said machine, but any other suitable means may be used for
this purpose.
In the operation of my box-machine, the blanks are placed upon the support a
between the guide-rails or gages a¹ a², and are fed between the cutting and
scoring rollers B B', which divide said blanks into lengthwise blank c, and pro-
vide the blanks c with lengthwise scores or creases c¹³ ³. The blanks c are
passed beneath the formers E, and are engaged by the rollers f, which bend the
outer portions of said blanks upwardly from the scores or creases cc', and fold
the same upon the front ends of the formers E. The diverging portions of the outer
side edges of the formers E depress the upwardly folded portions of the blanks c,
and glue or paste is then applied to the lengthwise portions of said blanks,
whereupon the blanks are passed beneath the formers E¹. The belts f, and the
rollers, bend the outer portions of the blanks c upwardly from the scores or
creases c¹³, and fold the same upon the formers E¹. The blower H cools and
partially drys the glue applied to the blanks c, and the presser-pieces f* f5 addition-
ally fold or flatten the blanks c, whereupon said blanks are squeezed between the
drum, the presser-rollers 6, two of the idlers d, and the presser-pieces d³, and
are discharged from the machine.
The construction of my box-machine will now be readily understood upon refer-
ence to the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing, It will also
be understood, as previously indicated, that the exact detail construction and
arrangement of the component parts of my box-machine may be considerably
varied without departing from the spirit of my invention, and hence I do not
herein specifically limit myself to such exact detail construction and arrangement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, it is declared that
what is claimed is:-
1-In combination, a roller provided with a knife, a pair of guide-rails or gages
leading to the roller, one of the guide-rails or gage's being automatically adjust-
able towards and away from the other, and a second roller supported by the guide-
rails, or gages in proximity to the first roller, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
2-In combination, a main frame, a pair of rollers, one of which is provided
with a knife, a movable frame having one end flexibly connected to the main
frame and its opposite end provided with a bearing for one of the rollers, a feed
supported by the movable frame for feeding the blanks or other articles, and an
adjuster for varying the position of the movable frame and forcing the roller and
the feed supported by the movable frame towards said blanks or other articles, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose specified.
3-In combination, a pair of rollers, one of which is provided with a knife, a
main frame having a support arranged at one side of the rollers for supporting
the blanks or other articles to be fed thereto, a pair of guide-rails or gages mounted
on the support, one of the guide-rails or gages being adjustable towards and away
from the other, an additional roller supported by the guide-rails, or gages in
proximity to the pair of rollers, a movable frame extending beyond the opposite
side of said pair of rollers and having one extremity flexibly connected to the

page_text: main frame and its opposite extremity provided with a bearing for one of said
pair of rollers, and an adjuster for varying the position of the movable frame and
forcing the roller supported thereby towards the articles fed to said roller, substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth.
4-In combination, a pair of rollers, one of which is provided with a knife, a
main frame having a support arranged at one side of the rollers for supporting
the articles to be fed thereto, a movable frame extending beyond the opposite side
of the rollers and having one extremity flexibly connected to the main frame and
its opposite extremity provided with a bearing for one of the rollers, a feed
secured to the movable frame for feeding the blanks or other articles, and an
adjuster for varying the position of the movable frame and forcing the roller and
the feed supported by the movable frame towards said blanks or other articles,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
5 In combination, a pair of rollers, one of which is provided with a knife, a
main frame, a movable frame flexibly connected to the main frame and provided
with a bearing for one of the rollers, a feed secured to the movable frame for feed-
ing the articles fed to the rollers, an adjuster for varying the position of the
movable frame and forcing the roller and the feed supported by the movable
frame towards the articles fed to the rollers, and means for bending said articles
during the engagement of the feed therewith, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
6-In combination, a roller provided with a knife, a main frame having a sup-
port for the articles fed to the roller, a movable frame connected to the main
frame, a feed secured to the movable frame for engaging corresponding faces of
said articles, an adjuster for varying the position of the movable frame and forcing
the feed into its operative position, a second feed for engaging the opposite faces
of the articles fed to the roller, and additional rollers supported adjacent to the
feeds for engaging and bending said articles when engaged by the former feeds,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7-In combination, a main frame, a pair of rollers, one of which is provided
with a knife, a movable frame connected to the main frame and provided with a
bearing for one of the rollers, a former secured to the movable frame, a feed for
feeding the blanks or other articles, and means for bending said blanks or other
articles upon the former, substantially as and for the purpose described.
8-In combination, a pair of rollers, one of which is provided with a knife, a
main frame having a support arranged at one side of the rollers for supporting
the blanks or other articles to be fed thereto, a movable frame extending beyond
the opposite side of the rollers and having one extremity flexibly connected to
the main frame and its opposite extremity provided with a bearing for one of the
rollers, a feed secured to the movable frame for engaging the articles fed to the
rollers, an adjuster for varying the position of the movable frame and forcing
said roller and the feed supported by the movable frame towards the articles fed to
the rollers, a former for engaging the blanks or other articles after their passage
between the rollers, a portion of said former being provided with diverging edges,
and means for bending the blanks or other articles upon the former in advance
of its diverging edges, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
9-In combination, a main frame, a feed for engaging corresponding faces of the
blanks or other articles, a former for engaging the opposite faces of the blanks or
other articles, means for supporting one end of the former, a movable frame flexibly
connected to the main frame and connected to the opposite end of the former, and
an adjuster for varying the position of the movable frame, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
10 In combination, a main frame, a feed for engaging the blanks or other
articles, a former, movable frames arranged one in advance of the other and having
corresponding ends flexibly connected to the main frame. and their opposite ends
connected to the extremities of the former, and means for bending said blanks or
other articles upon the former, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

page_text: 11-In combination, a feed for the blanks or other articles, a former for engag-
ing the blanks or other articles, said former being provided with a lengthwise
slot, and having one of its outer side edges formed with an outwardly extending
portion for forcing outwardly parts of the blanks or other articles, a second feed
consisting of an endless belt movable within the lengthwise slot of the former for
feeding the blanks or other articles, and a series of rollers arranged adjacent to
said one of the outer side edges of the former in advance of the outwardly extend-
ing portion thereof and having engaging faces disposed at different angles to said
outer side edge for bending the blanks or other articles upon the former, some of
said rollers being arranged at the rear of the second feed, substantially as
described.
12 In combination, a feed for the blanks or other articles, a former for engag-
ing the blanks or other articles, a portion of said former being provided with
diverging edges, a series of rollers for bending said blanks or other articles upon
the former in advance of its diverging edges, and supports for the rollers having
yielding arms or portions connected to said rollers, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
13 In combination, a former for engaging the blanks or other articles, said
former consisting of lengthwise bars or divisions having their outer side edges
formed with diverging portions for forcing parts of the blanks or other articles
outwardly from each other, one of said bars or divisions being adjustable towards
and away from the other bar or division and having its inner side portion pro-
vided with a longitudinal cutout, a feed movable in said cutout for engaging the
blanks, or other articles, and means for bending said blanks or other articles upon
the former in advance of the diverging portions of its outer side edges, substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth.
14 In combination, a feed for the blanks or other articles, a former consisting
of separated substantially parallel lengthwise bars or divisions, one of the bars
or divisions being adjustable towards and away from the other, and the top faces
of said bars or divisions being inclined upwardly from their outer side edges, a
tie-piece having its opposite ends secured to the bars or divisions for holding the
same in their adjusted position, and a series of rollers arranged one in front of
the other for bending the blanks or other articles upon the former, said rollers
being provided with engaging faces disposed at gradually decreasing angles to the
top faces of the bars or divisions of the former, substantially as and for the pur-
pose described.
15 In combination, a feed for the blanks or other articles, a former, a belt
arranged at one side of the former for elevating the adjacent portions of the blanks
or other articles, and rollers supported at the rear of the belt for bending the
elevated portions of the blanks or other articles upon the former, substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
16 In combination, a feed for the blanks or other articles, a pair of formers
supported one in advance of the other and having longitudinal engaging edges
arranged out of alignment with each other, and means for bending the blanks or
other articles upon the formers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
17 In combination, a feed for the blanks or other articles, means for bending
longitudinal portions of the blanks or other articles at angles to adjacent parts
thereof, a feed for applying glue to said blanks or other articles, and means for
folding longitudinal portions of the blanks or other articles upon adjacent parts
thereof and upon the surfaces to which the glue is applied, the longitudinal por-
tions folded by the second means being formed of different width than the longitu-
dinal portions bent by the first means, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
18 In combination, a feed for the blanks or other articles, formers arranged
one in advance of the other for engaging the blanks or other articles, said formers
having their adjacent ends separated, a feed interposed between the adjacent

page_text: ends of the formers for applying glue to the blanks, and means for bending the
blanks or other articles upon the formers, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
19 In combination, a feed for the blanks or other articles, a former for engag-
ing said blanks or other articles, a portion of the former being provided with
diverging edges, a series of rollers arranged one in front of the other in advance
of the diverging edges of the former for bending said blanks or other articles upon
the former, said rollers being provided with engaging faces disposed at different
angles to the adjacent edges of the former, a second former arranged at the rear
of the first former, and a series of rollers arranged one in front of the other for
bending said blanks or other articles upon the second folder, said rollers being
provided with engaging faces disposed at gradually decreasing angles to the
adjacent edges of the second former, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
20 In combination, a feed for the blanks or other articles, a pair of formers
supported one in advance of the other and having longitudinal engaging edges
arranged out of alignment with each other, a feed for applying glue to the blanks
or other articles, a blower for cooling the glue applied to the blanks or other
articles, and means for bending said blanks or other articles upon the formers,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
21 In combination, a main frame, a feed for the blanks or other articles, means
for lapping portions of the blanks or other articles upon additional portions of said
blanks or other articles, a movable frame flexibly connected to the main frame,
an adjuster, for varying the position of the movable frame, a presser-piece for
forcing together the lapped surfaces of the blanks or other articles, said presser-
piece consisting of an endless helt having a portion of its advance end supported
by the movable frame and inclined towards the feed, and rollers at the opposite
ends of the inclined portion of the advance end of the presser-piece, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
22 In combination, a feed for the blanks or other articles, a pair of formers sup-
ported one in advance of the other and having longitudinal engaging edges
arranged out of alignment with each other, means for bending the blanks or other
articles upon the formers, a presser-piece for engaging the blanks or other articles,
said presser-piece consisting of an endless belt having its advance end supported
above the rear former and the lower portion of said advance end inclined towards
the feed, rollers at the opposite ends of the inclined portion of the advance end of
the presser-piece, and a second presser-piece arranged at the rear of the first
presser-piece, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
23-In combination, a feed for the blanks or other articles, a pair of formers
supported one in advance of the other and having longitudinal engaging edges
arranged out of alignment with each other, means for bending the blanks or other
articles upon the former, and means for squeezing said blanks or other articles,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
24 In combination, a drum, means for conducting the blanks or other articles
to and from the drum, means for folding the blanks or other articles before their
passage to the drum, and 'means for intermittently squeezing said blanks or other
articles after their passage beyond the drum, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
25 In combination, a feed for the blanks or other articles, a feed for applying
glue to the blanks or other articles, means for folding said blanks or other articles,
and means for intermittently squeezing said blanks or other articles, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
ARTHUR BENJAMIN COWLES,
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.