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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the manufacture of containers or boxes
made of corrugated or the like material. More particularly, the invention
relates to an improved container geometry incorporating integrally formed
corner and/or intermediate posts and a single cycle method and machine for
making such containers.
It has long been recognized that the stacking strength of containers made
of corrugated material is significantly increased by inserting posts into
the container. In the past it has been common practice to separately
fabricate such posts which are then inserted into a preformed box.
Preformed corner posts or the like are shown in the following U.S.
patents: Brown, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,734,389; Goodsite, 3,613,985; Svendsen,
3,072,313; Fremion, 3,982,682; Stump, 3,648,920. The prior art also
discloses various forms of collapsed containers made of complex blanks of
corrugated or paperboard material which are erectable into packages or
containers which have posts integral with the corner portions thereof.
Examples of such containers are shown in the following U.S. patents:
Rudofski, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,162,351; Adams, 3,397,831; Sieffert, 3,861,580;
Kullman, Jr., 4,068,796; and Forrer, 3,034,698. However, insofar as I am
aware, it is unknown in the prior art to machine-form either a single
piece or a multiple piece erected container in a single cycle of operation
in a manner to provide corner and/or intermediate posts integral with a
side wall portion of the resulting container, the resulting side wall also
having a laminated portion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a machine made reinforced wall container having
corner and/or intermediate posts comprising integral portions of the same
piece of material constituting an end panel or side wall of the box.
The process of the invention utilizes preformed flat blanks of paperboard
material. In each case, the rectangular area of the material out of which
the reinforced end panel will be made has a first scoreline, defining a
junction between a central wall area and each marginal flap of the
material, while the flap itself is formed with a plurality of scorelines
defining at least three portions of the flap. First, each flap is turned
bodily in the direction of the outside face of a mandrel or flat finger
about the first scoreline and towards a surface of the wall area. Then,
while continuing folding of second and third portions of the flap, the
flap is bent around an apex of the mandrel or finger about the second
scoreline. Thereafter, while continuing bodily folding of the second and
third portions of the flap, the flap is bent about the third scoreline in
a manner to bend the third portion towards parallelism with the surface of
the wall area onto which it is subsequently laminated. In one of the
alternative embodiments of the invention, where the flap is formed with
fourth, fifth and sixth portions, certain of the above sequence of steps
are repeated on a second mandrel to form an intermediate reinforcing post
and second laminator tab.
The machine of the invention comprises a framework fitted with a hopper and
material feed station, a post forming and laminating station immediately
downstream therefrom and, in some cases, a finished end panel erector
station. In the forming station, the machine has an array of mandrels
about which the flaps of the blanks of material to be worked on are
folded. Flap folding mechanisms are mounted on each side of the machine,
each such mechanism being positioned in operative opposition to a
corresponding mandrel or mandrels. In some embodiments, the mandrels are
positioned above the material support rails or shoes while the flap
folding mechanisms are supported beneath the support rails. However, in an
embodiment for forming H-divider boxes, the positions of the mandrels and
flap folding mechanism with respect to the support rails for the box
material blanks are reversed or inverted.
The machine incorporates a shuttle mechanism fitted with two longitudinally
spaced sets of blades, an outer pair of which transport a flat unworked
blank out of the hopper station, past glue guns and into indexed operative
relationship to the mandrels and flap folding mechanisms. In one
embodiment, subsequent reciprocation of the shuttle mechanism moves a
formed end panel past the mandrels by means of the second pair of shuttle
blades while the first or outer pair of shuttle blades delivers a new
unformed blank into position.
Each flap folding and laminating mechanism includes a base frame
oscillatable on an axis parallel to the corresponding mandrel. At the
outer swingable end of the base frame another frame, at an inwardly
projecting end thereof, supports a platen. The base frame and second frame
comprise portions of a parallelogram linkage system that includes a link
of variable length, as by extension and retraction of a piston rod, so
that the platen is transported in a non-linear path in a mode to effect
wrapping of the flap portions around the mandrel and pressing of the
laminator tab into laminar relationship with a pre-glued part of the
central wall area of the panel. In an alternative embodiment, wherein it
is desired to form an interior reinforcing post and laminator tab, an
additional frame is mounted at the upper or outer end of the base frame,
with its own variable parallelogram linkage system and operable in phased
relation to the first frame. In another embodiment, the mechanism has a
trunnion carrying a powered rack and pinion for swinging the platen
through the desired trajectory and a pressure plate against which the
platen reacts. The invention also comprises a means adapting the machine
to handle a wide range of sizes of the flat sheet material to be processed
.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic box making machine
incorporating the invention, as adapted for the manufacture of so-called
Bliss boxes.
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the process of making containers.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting the formation of an alternate form of
end panel for a Bliss style box.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention
incorporated in a machine for automatically making tray style containers
embodying the invention.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating manufacture of tray style boxes
resulting from utilization of the machine of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine of FIG. 1, taken on
the line 6--6 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view, taken on the line 7--7 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the framework for supporting the post
forming and laminating mechanism of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but with added elements of structure
comprising a portion of the mechanism for supporting box blank material in
its passage through the machine.
FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the framework of
FIGS. 8 and 9 with added structural elements defining a hopper for the
material to be formed.
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view, on a larger scale, of a portion
of the hopper structure of FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the mechanism depicted in FIGS.
8-10.
FIG. 13 is an exploded partial perspective view, having portions cut away,
of a portion of a shuttle mechanism of the FIG. 12 structure.
FIG. 14 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, taken on the line 14--14 of
FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a portion of the shuttle mechanism
shown in FIG. 13, taken in the direction of the arrow 15 of FIG. 13 and on
a larger scale.
FIG. 16 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 12 but showing some of
the parts thereof in different positions relative to one another.
FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view, on a larger scale, of a portion of
the mechanism of FIG. 16 and particularly showing details of a side wall
panel erector mechanism adjacent a mandrel of a Bliss box forming machine.
FIG. 18 is a partial side elevational view of the erector mechanism of FIG.
17, taken in the direction of of the arrow 18 of FIG. 17.
FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view, taken in the direction of the arrow
19 of FIG. 16, particularly showing an array of mandrels in the fold
station of the mechanism of FIG. 12.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a flap folding mechanism of the fold
station, parts of the mechanism having been removed for purposes of
clarity of illustration.
FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the mechanism shown
in FIG. 20, with additional structural elements.
FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view of the mechanism of FIG. 21 but as
further adapted, particularly for utilization in the manufacture of the
end wall of FIG. 3.
FIG. 23 is a partial elevational view of the folding mechanism of FIGS. 20
and 21 illustrated in operational relationship relative to the material to
be operated upon.
FIGS. 24-26 are views of the mechanism on the right hand side of FIG. 23 in
various phases of operation.
FIG. 27 is a partial elevational view of the mechanism of FIG. 22.
FIG. 28 is a partial side elevational view, on a larger scale, of a portion
of the mechanism of FIG. 27.
FIG. 29 is a schematic partial side elevational view illustrating, in
phantom outline, different phases in the operation of the structure shown
in FIG. 28.
FIG. 30 is a partial perspective view of a marginal flap erecting mechanism
employed in conjunction with the mechanism of FIGS. 22 and 27-29.
FIG. 31 is a sectional view on the line 31--31 of FIG. 30.
FIG. 32 is a schematic perspective view of portions of the mechanism of
FIG. 12 as especially adapted for utilization in the tray style machine of
FIG. 4.
FIG. 33 is a perspective view of an H-divider style of Bliss container
embodying the invention.
FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a Bliss style H-divider machine
incorporating the invention as adapted to produce the container of FIG.
33.
FIG. 35 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention
that is adapted for making tray containers such as either FIG. 5 or FIG.
36.
FIG. 36 is a perspective flow diagram of the making of one style of tray
style box, resulting from utilization of the machine of FIG. 35.
FIG. 37 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine of FIG. 35 taken on
the line 37--37 of FIG. 35.
FIG. 38 is another longitudinal sectional view of the machine of FIG. 35,
taken on the line 38--38, showing a different adjusted position of the
machine.
FIG. 39 is an exploded perspective view of subframes of the machine of FIG.
35.
FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing in phantom outline an assembled
relationship of the subframes of FIG. 39, with adjustment mechanisms
thereon indicated in solid outline.
FIG. 41 is a transverse sectional view of a portion of part of the
adjustment mechanism of FIG. 40, on a larger scale.
FIG. 42 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 42--42 of FIG.
43.
FIG. 43 is a partial sectional view taken on the line 43--43 of FIG. 42.
FIG. 44 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 44--44 of FIG. 42.
FIGS. 45-47 are longitudinal sectional views, approximately corresponding
to FIG. 42, which show an improved shuttle mechanism and the parts thereof
in different operative relationships to one another.
FIG. 48 is an exploded perspective view of portions of the shuttle
mechanism of FIGS. 45-47.
FIG. 49 is a partial perspective view of one of the pairs of shuttle blades
of the shuttle mechanism and, particularly, of the area enclosed at 49 in
FIG. 48.
FIG. 50 is a partial perspective view of the shuttle mechanism of FIGS.
45-47, on a larger scale.
FIG. 51 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the folding and
laminating station of the machine of FIG. 35, portions being broken away
or deleted for the sake of clarity of illustration of other parts.
FIG. 52 is a partial perspective view of the mechanism of FIG. 51 showing
an edge guide mechanism.
FIG. 53 is a partial perspective view of a stop frame assembly of the
machine of FIG. 35.
FIG. 54 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the mechanism shown
in FIG. 51 but adapted for the manufature of tray style boxes with
triangular corner posts.
FIG. 55 is a partial vertical sectional view of a flap folding mechanism of
FIG. 57 as adapted for making tray style boxes with triangular corner
posts.
FIG. 56 is a partial perspective view of the mechanism of FIG. 55 in a
retracted state, but with a different configuration of flap forming
platen.
FIG. 57 is a partial perspective view showing the mechanism of FIG. 56 in
an extended position.
FIG. 58 is a partial perspective view of a carriage frame mechanism for
mounting a pair of the trunnion mechanisms.
FIG. 59 is a partial exploded perspective view of portions of a mandrel
finger mounting mechanism.
FIG. 60 is a partial elevational view, taken on the line 60--60 of FIG. 61,
of the mandrel finger mounting mechanism.
FIG. 61 is a partial elevational view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 60,
rotated through 90.degree..
FIG. 62 is a schematic diagram of a control circuit for controlling
actuation of a mandrel finger.
FIG. 63 is perspective view of a flap folding trunnion assembly.
FIG. 64 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the mechanism
shown in FIG. 63.
FIG. 65 is a perspective view, on a larger scale, of a platen or rotary
compression shoe mechanism.
FIG. 66 is a sectional view of the platen mechanism of FIG. 65, taken on
the line 66--66 of FIG. 65.
FIGS. 67-69 are partial vertical sectional views illustrating different
positions of parts of the platen mechanism during a cycle of operation.
FIG. 70 is a transverse sectional view of a fully laminated corner post of
a tray style box as formed by the trunnion mechanism of FIGS. 67-69.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction
and the arrangements of components set forth in the description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments
and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the
purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As is well known in the art, a standard Bliss box consists of a body wrap
or blank and two identical flat rectangular end pieces. Such boxes and a
machine for fabrication thereof are shown in Moen and Roesner U.S. Pat.
No. Re. 27,825. FIG. 2 shows an improved Bliss style box or container L of
greatly improved stacking strength with but minimal increase in the
quantity of material used and minimal decrease in the volume enclosed by
the completed container. In the illustrated case, the completed box L is
made of a body blank B and two identical end panel blanks E. While the
body blank B is of standard form, the identical end panel blanks E are
specially preformed with specially scored marginal flap areas C which are
automatically formed into a tubular post P and a laminator tab T, integral
with the end panel, which radically increase the compressive strength of
the completed box.
The presently preferred embodiment of machine for making the boxes L has
the general arrangement shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7. A vertically elongate
rigid framework 40 incorporates a vertically reciprocable mandrel 48 and a
die cavity 50 which are essentially like the Bliss forming machine of the
aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. Re. 27,825. Positioned beneath the framework
40 is a conveyor mechanism 42 onto which completed boxes L are dropped to
be carried away to a point of use. At one side, in alignment with the
conveyor mechanism 42, a hopper 44 is connected to the framework 40 to
support a stack of horizontally disposed body blanks B. On a pair of
opposite sides of the framework 40, flanking the conveyor mechanism 42, a
pair of hoppers 46 are also connected to the framework 40 for supporting
stacks of horizontally disposed end panel blanks E.
More particularly, referring to FIG. 6, each hopper 46 includes at its
outer end a hopper station 54, an intermediate flap folding and laminating
station 56, and an end panel erecting station 58 at its inner end. As is
schematically indicated in the figure, glue applicators 60, such as in my
U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,917, are also mounted on the hopper framework in order
to deposit two pairs of parallel beads of glue G onto the upper surface of
the blank E in its passage from the hopper station 54 to the forming
station 56. As is shown in FIG. 2, the pairs of glue beads G are deposited
onto those central panel areas of the blank E onto which which the tabs T
are to be laminated.
FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a known mechanism, as shown in my U.S.
Pat. No. 4,095,554, for feeding successive body blanks B inwardly of the
body blank hopper 44, past glue guns 62 to deposit beads of glue G onto
marginal flaps of the body blank B in a known pattern, as depicted in FIG.
2. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the general mode of
operation of the machine, after the end panel blanks E have been fully
formed and erected into a vertical position, is for pawls mounted on the
mandrel 48 to pick the erected end panels out of the hoppers 46 during the
descent of the mandrel and to carry them and blank B into the die section
50 wherein the body blank B is wrapped around and adhesively secured to
the end panels.
The end panel blank E preferably is made of so-called corrugated stock
which, as is well known, comprises an intermediate corrugated paper layer
sandwiched between a pair of flat paper skins. However, the blank E may be
made of other sheet materials, provided that such other materials are
susceptible of being preformed with a pattern of score lines defining
areas of the blank that are bendable relative to one another.
More specifically, the blank E comprises a central rectangular section C
that is flanked by an integral pair of flaps F. The junction of each flap
F and the central section C comprises a score line S-1, while the area of
the flap is marked with a parallel pair of score lines S-2 and S-3. It
should be understood that in the case of corrugated paper stock the score
lines S-1, 2 and 3 are made on the material parallel to the flutes of the
intermediate corrugated layer. These scorelines are preferably of the
perforated type although other types, e.g., crush scroes or slit scores,
may sometimes be used. As will be apparent from FIG. 2, this disposition
of the scores S-1, S-2 and S-3 permits folding of the area of a flap F out
of the plane of the central section C and into the tubular post and
laminator tab configuration.
The pair of hoppers 46 are essentially identical to one another.
Accordingly, but one of them will be described in detail. Thus, referring
to FIG. 8, each comprises a main frame 70 that incorporates a series of
subframes 72, 74 and 76 of inverted U-shaped configuration projecting
upwardly from an essentially rectangular horizontally extending frame 78.
The frame 70 also incorporates a longitudinally extending midframe member
80 disposed along the midline thereof and terminating at its inner end in
a subframe section 82 adapted for connection to the frame 40 of the Bliss
box machine. The framework 70 is thus adapted to mount the hopper station
54 between the subframes 72 and 74, the flap folding and laminating
station 56 in the area between the subframes 74 and 76, and the panel
erector station 58 in the area inwardly of the subframe 76.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the hopper mechanism has a pair of gate post
assemblies 84. Each of these is secured to the subframe 74 by an
adjustable fastening means 86, whereby the pair of gate post assemblies 84
can be spaced apart to accomodate the particular long dimension of a given
set of end panels E to be processed. Each of the gate post assemblies has
a vertically extending member 88, that is generally L-shaped in horizontal
cross sectional configuration, having a leg 90 disposed parallel to
subframe member 74 and on the outside face of which the adjustable
fastener 86 is secured. The inner face of the leg 90 mounts an elongate
bar 92 which has a spaced apart pair of shafts 94 that extend through a
pair of vertically elongate slots 96 formed in the leg 90 of the flanged
member 88. The upper end of the bar 92 terminates in a horizontal flange
portion 98 to support a screw mechanism 100 that is threadedly engaged
with a tapped bore of a plate 102 that is secured to the backside of the
leg 90.
The other leg of each flange member 88 includes a flared portion 104. As is
indicated in FIG. 11, the short leg 90 of each member 88 is relieved, as
indicated at gap 106, such that the lower end of the bar 92 protrudes
downwardly thereinto. A rearwardly projecting support shoe 108 is rigidly
secured to the lower end of the long leg of each flange member 88. As will
now be apparent, the position of the lower edge of each bar member 92 can
be set and fixed into an adjusted position of clearance relative to the
upper surface of the corresponding shoe 108 such that only one blank E at
a time can be propelled out the gate assemblies 84.
A shuttle guide tube 110 is mounted along the longitudinal center line of
the main frame 70 in vertically spaced apart parallel relationship to the
midframe member 80. More particularly, as best seen in FIG. 9, the tube
110 has its inner end secured to a bracket 112 projecting upwardly from
the subframe 82 and has its outer end rigidly secured, by means of a
bracket 114, to hang from the top rail of the subframe 72. The tube 110
thus centrally supports a stack of blanks E within the hopper mechanism
and provides central support for each blank E as it progresses downstream
therealong past the glue guns 60, through the folding and laminating
station 56, and the end panel erector station 58. The tube 110 also
supports a backstop 116 of the hopper mechanism 54 in an adjustable manner
such that various widths of blanks E can be accomodated.
More specifically, the backstop 116 comprises an upstanding strap that
terminates at its upper end in a flared portion. At its lower end, the
backstop 116 is rigidly secured to one end of a support bar 118 extending
rearwardly therefrom in slightly spaced apart parallel relationship to the
guide tube 110. The outer end of support strap 118 is secured to a saddle
clamp 120 on tube 110 which can be loosened and fastened to vary the
position of the backstop 116 relative to the pair of gate posts 84.
Referring to FIG. 9, it will be seen that the central tube 110 is flanked
by a parallel pair of inner support rails 124. Preferably the rails 124
are mounted for adjustment laterally relative to the support tube 110.
Accordingly, the inner end of each of these rails is supported by means of
a bracket 126 adjustably secured to the subframe 82 while the outer ends
of the rails 124 are mounted on brackets 128 adjustably secured to the top
rail of the subframe 72. Within that portion of their length corresponding
to the folding and laminating station 56, the rails 124 are fitted with
doublers 130 to broaden the surface to reactively support a blank E during
the folding and laminating process.
The inner pair of rails 124 are, in part, flanked by a co-planar parallel
pair of outer rails 132. More specifically, as also shown in FIG. 9, each
of the rails 132 extends between the outer subframe 72 and the inner
subframe 76 and at each of its ends is rigidly supported on a bracket 134
slidably secured to the top rail of the corresponding subframe 72 or 76.
The pair of brackets on each of these top rails is threadedly engaged by
right and left hand screws of a common adjustment shaft 138. As is
indicated in the figure, the pair of shafts 138 are coupled together by a
chain and sprocket system 140 such that they are co-rotated for adjustment
in unison of the pair of brackets 134 on each of the subframes 72, 76. The
outer pair of rails 132 are also fitted with doublers 142 in that portion
of their lengths corresponding to the fold and laminating station 56.
Referring to FIG. 13, the guide tube 110 supports a shuttle, designated
generally by the number 150, for transporting individual blanks E out of
the hopper mechanism 54, under the glue guns 60, and through the fold and
laminating station 56 and panel erecting station 58. The shuttle mechanism
150 is fitted with two pairs of shuttle blades 152, 154 such that upon
each extension of the shuttle each set of blades advances a blank E one
step through the process.
More particularly, the guide 110 comprises a length of tubing of
essentially square cross-sectional configuration that is formed with a
longitudinally extending slot 160 through its bottom wall, of sufficient
length to accomodate the stroke range of the shuttle mechanism. The
shuttle 150 has a body member 162 comprising an elongate bar
longitudinally positioned with clearance within the slot 160. At its
opposite end portions, the shuttle body 162 is fitted with two pairs of
vertically spaced apart opposed rollers 164 having horizontal axes of
rotation, one set of the rollers 164 being on the opposite side of the
body member 162 from the other pair of the same set. As is best seen in
FIG. 14 the clearance between a pair of adjacent rollers is such that they
rollingly engage opposite sides of as to receive the bottom web of the
square guide 110 therebetween. Internally of the tube 110, opposite ends
of the shuttle body 162 have horizontally disposed brackets 166 secured
thereto to support a laterally spaced apart pair of rollers 168 having
vertical axes of rotation in rolling engagement with opposite ones of the
vertical side walls of the tubing 110.
Externally of the guide tube 110, the opposite ends of the shuttle body 162
are fitted with clamping members 170 for supporting one of a pair of
transversely extending shuttle blade support bars 172. As is shown in FIG.
12, the inner end clamping member 170 includes a depending bracket 174 for
connection to the outer end of a piston rod 176 whose other end mounts a
piston within a pneumatic power cylinder 178. The outer end of the
cylinder 178 is supported by means of a clamping bracket 180 adjustably
mounted on the midframe member 80. The cylinder 178 is of a double acting
type so that it is positively reciprocable in both directions depending on
which side of the piston is exposed to fluid pressure.
The opposite ends of the outer support bar 172 are fitted with one of a
pair of clamping brackets 184 in order to support the outer shuttle blades
152. In like manner, the inner support bar 172 also mounts a pair of the
clamping brackets 184 at its opposite ends to support the inner shuttle
blades 154. As is shown in FIG. 15, each of the clamp members 184 includes
an upstanding leg 186 on its backside in order to support the
corresponding shuttle blade 152, 154, as the case may be to, position the
blades for driving engagement with an edge of a blank E to propel it
inwardly on the top surfaces of the rails 124, 132, and tube 110. As is
indicated in FIG. 17, the inner shuttle blades 154 are spaced apart on
their support bar 172 so as to run with clearance between the support
rails 124, 132 and corresponding doublers fastened to these rails. While
not illustrated, it will be understood that the rear pair of blades 152
are similarly spaced apart so as to run with clearance between the support
rails 124, 132 . As shown in FIG. 13, the rear blades 152 may be wider
than the forward pair of blades 154 since the range of the former pair of
blades does not extend into the reduced clearance defined by the doublers
130.
Referring to FIG. 15, the shuttle blade 154 includes an L-shaped drive
plate 190 that is rockably mounted at the upper edge of the upstanding leg
186 of the corresponding clamping bracket 184. The vertical leg of the
essentially L-shaped plate 190 is normally biased into flat engagement
with the backside of the leg 186 by means of a nut and bolt assembly 192
that coaxially mounts a spring 194 under the head of the corresponding
bolt. At the lower end of the leg 186, a guide pin 196 extends loosely
through a vertically elongate slot 198 (FIG. 13.) in order to maintain a
vertical orientation of the drive blade 190. The inwardly directed leg 200
of the drive plate is fitted on the underside of its free end with an
inwardly projecting flanged lip 202 under an integral shim 204 to define
an acutely angled shoulder which presents a relatively sharp drive edge
206 that is securely drivingly engageable with the rear edge of a panel.
The root end of the leg 200 of the drive plate 190 is fitted on its
underside with a transversely extending member 208 to be drivingly engaged
by the inner face of the leg 186.
The rear or outer pair of laterally spaced shuttle blades 152 are
essentially of the same construction as the inner shuttle blades 154. It
may be noted, however, that the drive blades 190' of the rear shuttles 152
are wider than the forward or inner blades 190. Also, since the outer
blades 190' engage only a single thickness of the blank E, they do not
include the shim 204 of the inner blades 190. In lieu of the guide pin 196
of the inner shuttle blades 154, the outer shuttle blades 152 utilize a
pair of the spring loaded nut and bolt fasteners 192.
It is believed that operation of the shuttle mechanism 150 will be apparent
from a comparison of FIGS. 12 and 16. Suffice it to say that, upon
actuation of the cylinder 178, the shuttle body 162 is driven out of the
FIG. 12 position, whereupon the outer laterally spaced apart shuttle
blades eject a single panel E out of the hopper mechanism 54 and the inner
shuttle blades 154 strip a previously folded and laminated panel E out the
station 56 and into the panel erection station 58. No lateral edge guides
neeed be used in the stations 54, 56 because of the efficiency of the
shuttle mechanism. Then, when the parts are in the positions shown in FIG.
16, the cylinder 178 is again actuated to retract the shuttle body 162.
Whereupon the shuttle blades 154 and 152 are deflected downwardly upon
coming into contact with the panels in the preceding station and resume
their upstanding positions at the end of the return stroke.
When the machine of FIG. 1 is employed for making boxes having only the
corner posts P shown in FIG. 2, the pair of inner support rails 124 of
FIG. 9 need not be employed and may be removed if desired. When the
machine of FIG. 1 is adapted or set up for the manufacture of Bliss style
boxes or end panels of the type shown in FIG. 3, having both corner posts
P and internal ribs R, the inner pair of guide rails 124 and their
associated doublers 130 should be employed in order to provide broad rigid
reactive surfaces against which the marginal flaps of the material can be
folded and laminated.
The folding and laminating process involves an array of mandrels such as
are shown in FIG. 19. Thus, the figure shows a pair of corner post
mandrels 220, 222 mounted in opposition to the pair of outer support rails
132 and a pair of rib mandrels 224, 226 mounted in opposition to the pair
of inner support rails 124. Other subsequently described portions of the
mechanism are also readily interchangeable between a configuration for
making the corner post end panels of FIG. 2 or the post and rib panels of
FIG. 3. Such variations will be apparent or pointed out as the description
proceeds.
More specifically, each of the mandrels 220-226 is supported in parallel
spaced relationship to its corresponding support rail by means of a
bracket 230 secured to the top rail of the subframe 74. Projecting
inwardly from the inner face of each bracket 230 is a support bar 232
whose inner end rigidly supports a depending mounting plate 234 to whose
lower end the corresponding cantilevered mandrel is connected. The
intermediate portions of the support bars 232 provide a means for securely
mounting the glue guns 60 thereto in position to deposit the desired
patterns of glue beads onto the upper surface of a blank passing
thereunder. It will be noted that the corner post mandrels 220, 222 are of
right triangular cross sectional configuration corresponding to the cross
sectional configuration of the corner post P. The inner rib mandrels 224,
226 may be of substantially isosceles triangle cross sectional
configuration, corresponding to the ribs R. It will, however, be
appreciated that other cross sectional configurations may be employed.
As is indicated in FIG. 12, the array of corner post and rib mandrels is
supported in a cantilevered fashion and they are so positioned with
respect to their corresponding support rails to define a sliding fit with
an end panel blank passing therethrough. While not illustrated due to the
scale of the drawings, the mandrels are preferably inclined slightly
downwardly inwardly to wedgingly drag on an end panel blank entering
thereinto so that at the end of the stroke of the shuttle body 162 a brake
is provided to positively stop the end panel blank at exactly the end of
the shuttle stroke and in precise, indexed registration with the flap
folding and laminating mechanism.
For clarity of illustration, the mechanism for folding and laminating the
marginal flaps F of a blank E or the like has not been illustrated in FIG.
19 in its relationship to the array of mandrels 220-226. It is, however,
to be understood that this mechanism is positioned in the station 56
sidewardly beneath these mandrels.
More specifically, referring to FIG. 20, the folding and laminating
mechanism is supported on a parallel pair of support rails 240 extending
transversely between the opposite pair of | | |
