US2771292A - Squaring devices for box closing machines - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 20, 1956 w. J. EMERSON SQUARING DEVICES FOR BOX CLOSING MACHINES Filed June 17, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 NN m%%\ m INVENTOR lVzZZzamJEmenson BY [WW ATIQRNEYS Nov. 20, 1956 w. J. EMERSON SQUARING DEVICES FOR BOX CLOSING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 17, 1953 MlZz'amJ Ema/25012 6 M g V ATTORNEYS United States Patent ce SQUARING DEVICES FOR BOX CLOSING MACHINES William J. Emerson, Haddonfield, N. J., assignor to Samuel M. Langston (30., Camden, N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 17, 1953, Serial No. 362,242

2 Claims. c1. 271 s In the making of a common type of blank for collapsible boxes a sheet is cut, scored and slotted to form the side walls and the flaps which are to be folded over to form the top and bottom of the box. The blank 1s then folded to bring together the opposite edges and these are then secured together by gluing, stitching or stapling, or by a strip of tape of a length equal to the height of the box and extending between the transverse fold lmes at the upper and lower edges of the side walls.

Due to the character of the board, which commonly is double faced corrugated paper, the initial folding is at two of the score lines to bring together the opposite edges, but this folding may not be along exactly parallel lmes, particularly if the box to be made is a shallow one with short vertical corners. Therefore it is necessary to effect slight shifting of the parts of the blank which present the edges which are to be secured together, and before these juxtaposed edges are secured together, as for instance by a taping machine of the type shown in the Nitchle Patent 2,575,887. This shifting operation is commonly referred to as squaring the blank.

Various machines have been designed to efiect such squaring, two such machines being those disclosed and claimed in the Nitchie application Serial No. 310,775, now U. S. Patent No. 2,722,417, and the Nitchie & Goettsch application Serial No. 330,248, now U. S. Patent No. 2,728,274, both owned by applicants assignee.

The present invention is an improvement in the type of machine shown in the last mentioned application. One important object is to provide positively acting means engaging the rear edges rather than the rollers engaging the surfaces of the folded blanks to shift in respect to each other those wall panels which are to be secured together.

A second important object is to provide positively acting means to engage the blank and prevent the wall panels from shifting after straightening has been accomplished. Thus the side edges of the blanks are brought into registry and held in registry preliminary to connecting them together to form what will become one vertlcal corner of the box.

In the Nitchie & Goettsch application above identified there are provided stop means in the path of movement of the blank, and which is engaged by and halts the further movement of the more advanced portions of the front edges of the folded blank while other portions are brought up to the stop means. To force the blank against this stop means there are provided driven rollers frictionally engaging the surface of the blank.

As an important feature of the present invention there is provided positively acting means which engages the rear edge of the section of the folded blank which is too far back and positively forces the blank forward against said stop, which holds back the more advanced section. Thus the front edges of the walls are properly aligned by the stop, and the rear edges are positively aligned by the pushing means.

Asa further feature this pushing means is so mounted Patented Nov. 20, 1956 that it normally lies out of the path of movement of the blank, so that after the blank has passed such pushing means the latter is moved into said path and forwardly to engage the rear edges of the blank and force the blank against the stop.

As a further feature the stop in the path of movement of the blank is automatically and positively moved out of the path of the blank after the blank has been squared, instead of being released and pushed out of the path by the blank.

As a further feature the pushing means which forces the blank against the stop is operated by pneumatic pressure, and is therefore a somewhat yielding pressure rather than a positive one, and the liability of injury to the blank by excessive positive pressure is avoided.

As a further feature the blank pushing means, after In the accompanying drawing there is shown merely one embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying the invention, certain parts being broken away to facilitate a clear showing of the other parts and their operation.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a folded blank and the parts engaging the blank to square it, but with the normal extent of the inaccurate folding exaggerated.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section showing the means for pushing ing it.

Fig. 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic showing of a type of air control means which may be used for the pusher, the stop and the rollers which act on the surface of the blank, the parts being in the position they occupy during the squaring of the blank.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the control valve, and

I with panels A and D along the fold lines a and b, which are the ones where the inaccuracy in folding occurs. Each panel has foldable sections at each end, and these coact to form the top and bottom of the box, the ones shown being A, A", D, D", B and C". In squaring a blank which is inaccurately folded, as shown A is pushed to the left from the and the panel D is held back to bring the edges of A and D and the edges of A and D" into registry preparatory to gluing flap E on panel A onto panel D. Before folding or before squaring the blank, the flap E is coated with adhesive, but it is not pressed down onto the panel D sufiiciently firmly to cause it to permanently hold the flap in place until after the squaring is effected.

In the specific form illustrated the machine has a main frame including a pair of lower beams 10 and 11 spaced apart horizontally, and an upper beam 12, each in the form of a channel, the three being rigidly connected to end frames. The beams 10 and 11 support a table 13 on which the blanks are manually folded to bring the opposite edges into abutting relationship, and between the frame members 10 and 11 is a conveyor belt 14 for advancing the blanks, and also the means for squaring them. The upper frame member 12 carries means coacting with the conveyor belt to press down and aid in advancing the folded blanks, and a control for said means. The belt part of the blank forward in squarin Fig. 2, the panel position shown in Fig; 2,

2,771,292 3 14 along its length maybe keptfrom sagging by a plu--- il'zality of idler rollers 14a therebeneath, as shown in Sl'ipiragerofthe bl'a'nks "on-the belt '14' whil adifa'ncin tothe squai'ing mechanisnl and 'o 'l'eaving-th'e' 'sqifar meoha nism is preVen'ted by pressing them down omb the belt; For'this' purposethr'e is provideda pluralitf'of rollers 15 each directly above one of the rollers 14a?" only-ioneof the'se' 'rollcrs 15 and the controhtherefoi' is shown in' Fi'gmlybut the positions-'of 'the others "areIO indicated in "dotted lines. Each roller is carried by a pair of" arms"-'16-secur'ed' to a roclc'*shaft'*17joui'rialed' in the upper frame member 12, and the roller is pressed down by a spring- '18 between the uppe'rwhanriel 12"and a bar 19 connecting the'arms l6r The' 'pressure a'pp'li'd-'1'5 by the'rollers'in the're'ar' of the squaringpartsfand shown in =Figll, is;notsuificient"'to *eausethe flap E to firmly adhere to the panel D.-f For limiting-"the-downward'move-" ment of the roller- '15 the -shaft 17' 'carries'can"arm= 20 provided-with an adjustable stop 21 which'may'engage the upper surfaceof the lower wall of the'frarne-meinbe'r 12.

To efiect the squaring of each blank as it is advanced by-the belt-14 there are'prov'ided'stop means in the'path ofmovement of the blank,and pusher means for engag ingthe'rear edge of each blank in succession and-forcing it against the stop means. When 'the blank hasb'een' squared the stop means is moved out Ofjthfi path of the blank so that the-squared blank -maypass it and'be discharged; and the pusher'is provided with rneans'for movingit out of the path of the blanks so 'thatthe next 5 blank can be advanced to the stop means.

The'stop means illustratedincludes a pairof horizontal transversely extending bars 22disposed-adjzicerit to opposite edges of the conveyor belt 14'a'nd'carried bymembers 22a which are verticallymovable.""Thus,- when' in their upper position, as shown in Fig.1, they are in the path of the blanks on the belt, and the belt and the rollers 15 will move the blanks in successionup --to the stops. When in their lower position they'rest on -the channels 10, 11, at opposite edgesof andbelow the upp'er-surface-go ofthe belt, so that the belt 14 can advance thestraighten'ed blank over them and discharge it. Poi-raisingand lowering the stops 22 there'are provided'double-acting air cylinders 22b, shown somewhat diagrammatically in Fig. 4, and operating as hereinafterdescribed;

The means employed for forcing the blanks in succes sion against the stops 22'includes a pair of pushers 23 which are pivotally supported at their lower ends and are normally disposed below the path of movement of the blanks, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 3, so that the blanks may pass over them. Each'pushcr 23 is carried byfan arm 24 pivotally supported at 23' on a frame part 25, and 'pivotally connected intermediate of its ends to a link '26 which is also pivoted to an arm 27. This arm is pivotally supported at its upper end on a pin 27 carried' by the frame part' 25, and its lower end is secured to'ljlocks 28 journaled in a pin 29 which extends laterally fro'rn'fa head 29 on the endof the piston rod 30 of a piston in an aircylinder 31. This cylinder is pivoted at 32 6a a bracket 33 on'the main frame member 10, and therefore the piston rod 30 and the cylinder'31 swing up 60 4 Thereby the fold lines a and b of the blanks are readjusted so as to be at right angles to the front and rear edges of all wall and flap portions of the blank. The stops 22 are then lowered out of the path of the blanks, simultaneously with the lowering of rollers 15 into engagement with the squared blank. The pushers 23 swing back and down tothe position shown in solid lines in Fig. 3; and the squared blank is discharged by the'c'onveyor'M and rollers 15, one of which grips the blank and holds it in its square condition.' When'the-neiit blank strikes targ'e'fi? 65 thecornplete cycle of operation of squaring the-blank is repeated.

Means'are provided for'liftingrollers 15 out of engagement with the blank, simultaneously with aerating of stops 22. After the=pushers 23 havc'ompleted the squaring of the blank, the rollers 15 lower to engage the blank, simultaneously with the lowering of stops 22. The rollers now engage a squa'r'd" blank-and hold "the blank in registf 'untiI -it is conveyed into a'tapin g or "stitching 'wi maehine,br in the' case of the'glue joint, the roller's'holdf."- the blank in register along the conveyor for a times'uflicient t o set the "adhesive to close the' joint,- whereupon theblahks are then discharged from the conveyor;

Th'e ai' '20' has an upstanding bar 34 rigid'ther'ewith," and meafis' are provided for swinging this bar to the 5 right from the positionshown in Fig: 1, thereby to life they arm 20; rock thef shaft ""17 clockwise, 'lift the arms 16 which are eye d to the shaft,'and lift the roller 15 'above'-* the 'blank This meansincludes an"endwise movable" rod'BS whi hasa'nut' 'fifi threaded-thereon,"and'thebar"-" 3411-21 portions 37 with' curved surfaces for engaging the nut 's'othat when-the rod is moved to the rightthrollers 15 are lifted agaifis t gravity and theaction of spring 1 8;

It will'be understood that' e achof the rollers '15 shown in Fig.7? haspar'ts '16to'21fi34 and 37, the Same as-the onefshoivn 'ir iFigl l The rod as is threaded alongsi1b= stan'tially it fentire length;'and there are a plurality' 'o'f the nuts 36, each for lifting a separate 'o'ne of the rollers. Thusi' 'byadjusting 'the nuts, only those rollers engaging the "blafnkto be s'quare'd "are raised "and lowered. Forsimultaneouslylifting and' low'er ing' the rollers there" is providedinean's for ino'ving'thenod 'back and forth 'f entl'titzihefj 'suc h iiieaiis include s a cylinderffit)"supportedfrom thecha nnel l'2 by a bracket 40"'a'nd"having a-pis'ton 41"connected to the' end of the rod '35.- K

As "previously notedj the "blank straightening pushers "j 23, the :stopbars 22"and the rollers'15 are operativel'y connected'to pistons ih cylinders 3ly22b and 40. A.s"an""- irnportaht featiireof the invention there is providedine'ans' for controlling the delivery 0f a pressure fluid, 5 preferably compressed air, to one end of each of these cylindersto-" raisethe lrollers,j'raise the "stops, *aid 'in advancing "the blank to straightenin'g positioii and to straighten" it, aud thereafter permit ithis air to"escap'e*. Compressedwir s the'n delivered to the other endo'f each' cylinder'to lower" thefrblle'rs; lower the stops to permit discharge of the straightned "blank, and retractthe 3 pushers" so that an: other blank may advance to straightening position? The compre'ssed airis' 'deliverdby'a pipe 42 having a pressure"gauge"43, and may have'traps 44 for colle'con 'a pivot 32 as the block 23 moves up with the arm 27.

By means of this toggle linkage, when compressed air is admitted to the pivotally supported left hand end of the'cylinder 31, the piston rod 30-rnoves out to swing the'arms 27 up about the pivot 27, so that the links 26 push arms 24 upwardly to bring the pusher 23 up and against the rear end of the blank to move the latter to the' l'eft from the position shown in Fig. 2. This movement continues until all of the right hand edges of the sections of the blank are engaged by the pushers 23,

and all of the left hand edges'ot' the blank are forced against "the stops" 22. In this movement the parts A, A,

' berhasfou'r' collars 47, 48, 49 and 50,and thec'ylindrica 3 tion 'ofcondensedmoisture. This pipeleads to a control?" unit, one fprnr of "which is shown in section in Fig. '5. This includesa cylii'-lder"45 with a reciprocating valve member herein? In the tormunusaated' this men-" passage through the casinghas five annular gro'o'ves'sig' 52, 53', 54 a'nd 55f 'The collars 47 and 5'0clo'se the 'ends of't h e chamber, and the ends of the reciprocating-member 46'e1'rte'nd1to electromagnets such as solenoids 56 amas /.5 The grdovess 1 and 55 are connected to branches 4221 and 4250f the' air supply pipe 42; the groove '52 isfcon f nected to apipe SSftor delivering'air to one endof eali 1 of the' 'c'yliiiders 22b; -31 and '40 to effect the straightening' and'A"' ot the blank are advanced, andthe' parts D, D

and' D 'are held" against bther'tha'n skewing *movemem;

operation; the groove 5Q is connectedto apip "5 9fo"r deliveriiig'air to the'btli'er end of 'ea'cli cylinde'Fm ease:

the end of a straightening operation; and the groove 53 is connected to an exhaust pipe 60.

In Fig. 5 the valve member 46 is shown in the position it occupies at the end of its backward movement after the solenoid 56 has been energized and the reciprocating valve member has been pulled to the left until the collar 47 engages a stop or the end of the solenoid 56 and the operating parts of the machine are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4. In this position of the valve member compressed air from the pipe 42 may flow through branch 42a to the groove 51 and along the valve member to the groove 52, and out through the pipe 58 and branch 58a to raise the rollers, to branch 580 to raise the stops 22, and to branch 58b to raise the blank straightening members to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

After the straightening of the blank the circuit of the solenoid 57 is closed and that of the solenoid 56 is opened. Now the solenoid 57 pulls the valve member to the right from the position shown in Fig. 5, and to the opposite end of its stroke. Now the collar 47 closes the air supply branch 42a; the collar 48 has moved to the other side of the exhaust pipe 60 and connected the latter to the pipe 58, and the collar 49 has moved to the other side of the groove 55 to connect branch pipe 42b to pipe 59.

Now air may flow from pipe 42 through branch 42b to pipe 59, has :connected pipe 58 to the exhaust pipe 60, and compressed air from the pipe 42 may flow through branch 42b to the pipe 59 and its branches 59a, 59b and 590 to lower the rollers, lower the stops and to retract the blank straightening members to the position shown in Fig. 3. The belt will now discharge the straightened blank and advance another blank for straightening.

For controlling the solenoids 56 and 57 and operating them alternately there are provided two switches, one for each solenoid. These switches are normally open, and that of solenoid 56 is momentarily closed to start pulling the valve to the left, as shown in Fig. 5 and start the straightening operation. Solenoid 57 is momentarily closed to return the parts to discharge the squared blank and to be in position preparatory to straightening the next blank.

Below the table 13 and in the rear of the pushers 23 there is provided a switch box 63 having a switch 64, as shown in Fig. 3, actuated by a push button 61 in the circuit of the solenoid 57, and disposed in the path of movement of the head 29 of the piston rod 30, or by some other connected part.

When the compressed air in the cylinder 31 has moved the pusher 23 up and against the rear end of the blank, and completes the straightening, head 29 on the piston rod 30, or an associated part, engages the push button 61 (dotted position of mechanism shown in Fig. 3) and momentarily closes the switch 64 and energizes the solenoid 57. This solenoid pulls the valve member 46 to the right from the position shown in Fig. 5 to discharge the squared blank and to be in position preparatory to straightening the next blank.

The circuit of the solenoid 56 is momentarily closed by a target in the path of movement of the blank, and between the pushers 23 and the stops 22. This target 65 and its circuit closing means 66 may be of the type shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of the Nitchie Patent 2,575,887.

When the blank strikes and depresses the target 65 the switch circuit is closed momentarily, is released and reset even though the blank holds the target depressed. The momentary closing of this circuit energizes solenoid 56 and pulls the valve member to the left, and the straightening elements perform their proper functions. At the completion of the straightening, push button 61 is depressed, closing the circuit of solenoid 57. The straightening elements return to their starting position shown in Fig. 3 while the blank is discharged along the conveyor. When the blank passes beyond the depressed target, the target snaps up and latches into the now preset switch circuit of solenoid 56. The operating means are now set preparatory to operation for the next blank.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A straightening apparatus for folded blanks, including a belt conveyor for advancing the blank, a roller for pressing the blank onto the conveyor, a stop movable into and :out of the path of the blank, a blank pusher movable into and out of engagement with the rear edge of the blank to force it against the stop, pneumatically actuated means for advancing and retracting said stop and said pusher and for raising and lowering said roller, and blank-actuated means for automatically synchronously operating said pneumatic means to advance the stop so as to successively interrupt the advance of the blanks with the conveyor and to simultaneously raise the roller from blank engaging position, to advance the pusher into engagement with the rear edge of the immobilized blank so as to press the blank forcibly against the stop and to straighten the blank, and to then lower the roller onto the blank so as to maintain the blank by pressure in straightened condition and to retract the stop and pusher to permit the blank to advance with the conveyor under control of said roller.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which the blank-actuated means comprises a target in the path of movement of the blank, electromagnetic means for controlling the operation of said pneumatic means and means actuated by said target for opening and closing the circuit of said electromagnetic means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,854,798 Labombarde Apr. 19, 1932 1,874,671 Walker et a1. Aug. 30, 1932 2,068,163 Bowersock et al. Jan. 19, 1937 2,292,487 Stevens Aug. 11, 1942

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