They consist of an adjustable mechanism to feed the cardboard sheets with which boxes are formed and of a lifting device of the laps that said cardboard sheets have. The purpose of the adjustable mechanism for the feeding of the sheets is to adjust the position of the vacuum suction pads for the feeding of the cardboard sheets, whatever the dimensions thereof are, without the need to stop the assembly machine. For this reason, the groups of suction pads have their supports resting on two split contrary thread spindles, in such a way that with a single manual control and connecting both spindles by chain transmission displacement thereof is obtained all along the guide bars, thus establishing the work position of said suction pads. The purpose of the lap lifting device is to automatically effect the lifting of the laps to the predetermined angular position. For this reaon it comprises a strip, tiltable by the action of pneumatic cylinders, which through their action of a shaft, to which the arms of the strip are joined, push the laps to their predetermined position. It comprises a means of approximation or separation in accordance with the format or dimensions of the laps.

A method is disclosed for erecting flat carton blanks into a tubular configuration, folding the minor flaps inwardly normal to the minor sides in three steps at a first work station, moving the erected carton blank to a second work station while partially folding the major flaps toward the folded minor flaps and applying glue to the minor flaps, further moving the carton blank to a third work station where the major flaps are pressure sealed to minor flaps and then discharging the finished carton from the work area. A machine for performing the method includes unique motor driven chain drive assemblies that enable adjustments to accommodate various size carton and a cam regulated valve system to control application of vacuum to suction cups and compressed air to a glue gun and to pneumatic pistons that move control arms and the like.

A method and an apparatus for erecting a folding box and folding the closure flaps or ends. The apparatus has a transfer device, by which the folding boxes are withdrawn from a magazine and conveyed along a cycloidal orbit path and conveyed into a conveying device of a cartoning machine. The folder apparatus has a platelike folder element as well as two folder elements, that protrude from the apparatus into the range of motion of the closure flaps. The closure flaps are bent at right angles in the order of their disposition on the box in the direction of movement of the folding box to the folder elements and the conveying device.

A method for forming a work object including the steps of moving the work object, initially disposed in a first configuration, along a path of travel to a forming position; defining an outer boundary for the work object, disposed in a second configuration, substantially about said forming position; and expanding the work object, during moving of the work object along the path of travel, to dispose the work object in the second configuration in the forming position. An apparatus for forming a work object including a mechanism for delivering the work object, disposed in a first configuration, to a deliver position; a forming assembly adjacent to the delivery position defining a forming chamber dimensioned to receive the work object therewithin disposed in a second configuration; and a manipulating assembly operable to engage the work object in the delivery position and to transport the work object into the forming chamber to manipulate the work object from the first configuration to the second configuration.

A case forming machine for assembling erected cases from blanks including a stacking means configured for receiving a supply of blanks, an opening and forming means for erecting the blanks and ejecting erected cases, and the machine is constructed and arranged so that the stacking means is configured for biasing the supply of blanks in a first direction and the forming means is configured so that the blanks are ejected in a second direction. The machine also includes a frame, a stacking apparatus for holding a supply of blanks, an opening and forming apparatus, a vertical blank guide configured to advance the supply of blanks in a first direction, a vertical blank mover for transporting blanks from the stacking apparatus to the opening and forming apparatus, a first minor flap folder and a second minor flap folder, a first major flap folder and a second major flap folder; and a case advancement mechanism attached to the opening and forming apparatus, the case advancement mechanism configured to advance cases in a second direction along the opening and forming apparatus.