US3353459A

US3353459A - Box preforming machine and method

Info

Publication number: US3353459A
Application number: US404567A
Authority: US
Inventors: William A Owsley
Original assignee: Filper Corp
Current assignee: Filper Corp
Priority date: 1964-10-19
Filing date: 1964-10-19
Publication date: 1967-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 1984-11-21

Description

Nov. 21, 1967 w. A. OWSLEY BOX PREFORMING MACHINE AND METHOD 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 19, 1964 R O T A E V m W/LL/AM A, OwsLV 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. A. OWSLEY V, mfi MW T w N W 5 m A M M m 00 a Q BOX PREFORMING MACHINE AND METHOD Nov. 21, 1967 Filed Oct. 19, 1964 Nov. 21, 1967 W,A.OWS. E'Y' '7 3,353,459

BOX PREFORMING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Oct. 19, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 3

INVENTOR.

WILL/AM A. OWSLEV BY ATTORNEVJ United States Patent 3,353,459 BOX 'PREFORMING MACHINE AND METHOD William A. Owsley, Diablo, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Filper Corporation, San Ramon, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Oct. 19, 1964, Ser. No. 404,567 7 Claims. (Cl. 93-36.6)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine for partially forming a box from a flat box blank by folding two of the four side panels thereof into overlying relations-hip with the other two side panels and securing the partially formed box in such condition with a separate box liner disposed between said overlying panels.

The present invention relates to a machine and method for preforming a box from a fiat box blank. More particularly the present invention relates to a machine and method for partially forming a box with a box liner secured therein, which box when so partially formed is still in a flattened condition for easy storage or shipment prior to being actually fully formed, filled or otherwise used.

With the machine and by the method of the present invention a standard box blank which has been precut and precreased to desired specifications has secured thereto a liner made of plastic or other such material, which liner will conform to the interior dimensions of the box when it is fully formed.

The box liners contemplated for use with this invention are bag-like structures having closed lower ends and open upper ends. The lower end of each liner is formed in such a manner that it conforms in contour and dimension to the lower closed end of the box in which it is used.

It is a main object of the present invention to provide a machine and method whereby a liner can be secured to a box blank in preformed condition so that when said box is fully formed said liner will conform to the interior dimensions of said box.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine and a method whereby boxes in a wide range of sizes can be preformed as above described.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a machine and a method for preforming boxes with liners secured therein which will substantially conform to the interior dimensions of said boxes when fully formed yet when in said preformed condition said boxes with said liner secured therein are in a flattened condition for easy storage and shipment.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a machine and a method for p-ref-orming boxes with liners secured therein in a manner so that said preformed boxes and liners together can later be formed, filled, closed, and sealed simultaneously.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the glueing station of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine of the present invention as seen from the remote side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an isometric fragmentary view of one of the glueing valves of the present invention and the associated glueing head structure;

FIG. 5 is a semi-diagrammatic view illustrating the 3,353,459 Patented Nov. 21, 1967 formation of a box blank into .a preformed box with a liner secured therein.

It will be understood that the forward or front end of the machine is that end of the machine including the glueing station to the left hand side of FIG. 2. The rearward or discharge end of the machine is that end of the machine including the compression rollers to the right hand side of FIG. 2.

Generally, and referring to FIG. 2, the machine of the present invention consists of an adhesive applying station indicated generally at 1, a liner application station indicated generally at 2, and a compression station indicated generally at 3.

At station 1 deposits of an adhesive are applied to a precut, precreased box blank for subsequently securing thereto a bag-like b-ox liner.

At liner application station 2 a box liner is properly positioned on the box blank and said blank is folded into a partially or preformed condition.

At compression station 3 the preformed box with the liner therein is passed through a series of compression rollers to assure that the liner is properly secured within the preformed box and that the box is properly secured in its preformed condition.

More specifically, and referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the glueing station 1 is supported on a frame work consisting of a pair of horizontal footing members 4, a pair of vertical inwardly facing channel members 5 extending upwardly from said footing members and a cross channel member 6 extending between the tops of vertical channel members 5.

A horizontal bed 9 extends between vertical frame members 5 and is mounted at either end on said vertical frame members for reciprocation thereon by means of rollers 10. As seen in FIG. 3, bed 9 is raised by means of springs 11 one of which is adjacent either end of bed 9. Springs 11 are connected at their lower ends to frame members 5 and extend upwardly within said channel members to the vicinity of cross member 6. At that point springs 11 are connected to one end of sprocket chains 12, said chains extending over sprocket wheels 14 and downwardly to a connection with bed 9. Sprocket Wheels 14 are supported on a shaft 15 which is in turn supported adjacent either end in vertical channel frame members 5. It can be seen that as spring 11 contracts, bed 9 will be pulled upwardly.

Bed 9 is restrained in a lower position against the urgency of spring 11 by a hook 16 which is pivotally mounted at its lower end to footing member 4. Hook 16 is positioned to engage a dowel 19 projecting from bed 9 and is adapted to be released from such engagement by a foot pedal 20 which may be depressed against the urgency of a spring 21 connected between hook 16 and vertical frame member 5.

In order to restrain and time the upward movement of bed 9, a brake hub 22 is secured to one end of shaft 15 outwardly of frame member 5. A brake shoe 24 extends around hub 22. One end of shoe 25 is secured in a fixed position to frame member 5, the other end thereof having a block 25 secured thereto. A rod 26 is secured to block 25 and extends downwardly therefrom and is slidably received through a bracket 29 which is permanently fixed to frame member 5. The lower end of rod 26 is pivotally secured to one arm of a crank 30 as at 31. A collar 32 is secured around rod 26 near the lower end thereof and a helical coil spring 34 is received around rod 26 and reacts between collar 32 and bracket 29 tending to urge rod 26 downwardly thereby tightening shoe 24 around brake hub 22. The braking action of shoe 24 on hub 22 is sufficient to overcome the urgency of spring 11 tending to raise bed 9.

The second arm of crank 30 extends generally vertically from a point at which said crank is pivotally mounted on frame member 5. Rotatably mounted on the upper end of the vertical arm of crank 30 is a cam follower 35 which is adapted to engage and follow the peripheral edge of a cam member 36. Cam 36 is formed with a lobe which tends to force cam follower 35 outwardly thereof rotating crank 30 slightly in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 2. Rod 26 is thereby forced upwardly against the urgency of spring 34 loosening shoe 24 on brake hub 22 so that the braking force is less than the urgency of spring 11 thereby raising bed 9. As soon as the lobe of cam 36 passes cam follower 35, shoe 24 is again tightened on hub 22 stopping the upward movement of bed 9.

The upward movement of bed 9, and the amount thereof, is timed in relation to the removal of individual box blanks from the top of a stack thereof which is supported on bed 9 as will later be described in greater detail.

Extending between frame members above bed 9 is an adhesive applicator assembly 39. Applicator assembly 39 is supported for reciprocation on frame members 5 by means of rollers 38 pivotally mounted on said assembly 39.

The framework for the applicator assembly 39 is generally in the form of a horizontally disposed I, the leg 40 of the 1 extending substantially between vertical frame members 5. Leg 40 has a flange 41 secured across either of its ends which flanges extend generally forwardly and rearwardly of the present machine.

Projecting outwardly of each flange 41 centrally thereof is an car 42 which extends into the channel of frame members 5, said ear being apertured to slidably receive therethrough the upper end of a rod 44. The lower end of each rod 44 is mounted on a bracket 45 which is in turn secured to the inwardly facing side of the webs of each vertical frame member 5. Received on each rod 44 between ears 42 and brackets 45 is a spring 46 which serves to urge the glueing head assembly 39 upwardly.

Extending between the forward ends of flanges 41 is a mounting bar 49. Each end of bar 49 is grooved and adapted to be slidably received on the flat upper plate of each flange 41. Bar 49 is provided with a set screw 50 at either end for securing said bar in any desired position along flange 41 forwardly of leg 40.

Slidably received on bar 40 are a plurality of adhesive valve mounting brackets 51 each of which is provided with a set screw 52 for locating said bracket in any desired position along bar 49. Slidably received in the lower portion of each mounting bracket 51 is one end of a dowel 54 which dowel can be fixed in any desired position by set screw 55 threadedly received in said mounting bracket. Secured to the other end of each dowel 54 is an adhesive depositing valve generally designated 56. Valves 56 are of a rather common variety which are adapted to release a fluid, in this instance glue, or some other adhesive upOn contact with an object located therebelow, in this instance a box blank. The valve mechanism is a standard contact actuated, spring returned plunger.

Extending from the upper portion of each valve 56 is a supply tube 59 all of which extend back to a common supply manifold 60 which is mounted on leg member 40. Manifold 60 may in turn be supplied by a single tube 61 which leads back to a glue reservoir 62. Glue is supplied from reservoir 62 to manifold 60 and valve 56 under pneumatic pressure from a standard compressor (not shown).

Extending between the ends of flanges 41 rearwardly of frame leg 40 is a suction cup mounting bar 64. The ends of mounting bar 64 are slidably received on the fiat upper surface of flanges 41 as best seen in FIG. 3. Also mounted on the upper surface of each flange 41 are a pair of spacing blocks 65 on either side, forwardly and rearwardly, of mounting bar 64. Secured to the upper.

sides of spacing blocks 65 and therefore extending across mounting bar 64 is a guide bar 66, Guide bar 66, spacing 4 block 65 and the upper surface of flange 41 combine to form a channel within which mounting bar 64 can slide forwardly and rearwardly of flange 41.

Depending from either end of mounting bar 64, outwardly of each flange 41, is a bracket 69. A coil spring 70 connected between bracket 69 and flange 41 at each end of bar 64 urges bar 64 in a forward direction or to the right as seen in FIG. 3. Generally horizontally disposed links 71 are pivotally connected at one of their ends to each of brackets 69 and are pivotally connected at their other ends to one arm of a crank generally designated 72. Crank 72 is pivotally connected to a bracket 74 which is in turn secured to the upper side of flange 41. The other arm of crank 72 is adapted to be engaged by roller 75 which is permanently fixed to vertical frame member 5.

Since flange 41 is mounted for vertical reciprocable movement with the remainder of applicator assembly 39 it can be seen that when the flange 41 is lowered away from fixed roller 75, spring 70 will be allowed to urge suction cup mounting bar 64 to the right as seen in FIG. 3. When flange 41 is raised, the arm of crank 72 will engage roller 75 and crank '72 will be rotated clockwise as seen in FIG. 3 thereby moving the suction cup mounting bar 64 to the left as seen in FIG. 3 or rearwardly of the machine.

Depending from suction cup mounting bar 64 intermediate the two flanges 41 are a plurality of suction cups 76 (FIGS. 1 and 3). Suction cups 76 are yieldably mounted on springs 79. Through tubes 89 suction cups 76 are connected with a standard source of negative pressure (not shown). The function of suction cup 76 will be described in greater detail in connection with the operation of the present machine.

As has been previously described, applicator assembly 39 is urged upwardly by means of springs 46 acting between frame members 5 and said glueing head assembly at either end thereof. The means for lowering applicator assembly 39 is provided in cams 81 adjacent either end of said assembly, said cams being mounted on a shaft 82 which is in turn rotatably mounted adjacent either of its ends in frame members 5. Cams 81 are adapted to engage cam followers 84 which are rotatably mounted on brackets 85 extending upwardly from either end of frame leg 40. As cam 81 is rotated and the rise thereof is passing cam follower 84, applicator assembly 39 is lowcred against the urgency of springs 46. When the dwell of cam 81 is passing cam follower 84, applicator assembly 39 is allowed to rise under the urgency of springs 46.

It can be seen that both earns 81 and 36 are secured to the same shaft 82. Thus the timing of the raising and lowering of applicator assembly 39 can be closely and easily adjusted with the applying and releasing of brake shoe 24 on brake hub 22, thereby coordinating the movement of bed 9 with the movement of said applicator assembly.

Means for rotating shaft 82 and therefore

cams

81 and 36 may be provided in the form of an electric motor 86 (FIG. I) mounted on cross frame member 6. Secured to the shaft of motor 86 is sprocket wheel 89 which is connected by means of sprocket chain 90 to an idler sprocket 91. A shaft of idler sprocket 91 may be mounted on vertical frame member 5. Also on said shaft is another sprocket wheel 92 which, through chain 94, is in connection with a sprocket wheel 95 that is secured to shaft 82. When motor 86 is actuated, earns 81 and 36 are rotated.

Mounted on shaft 82 for rotation therewith is a V- bclt wheel 96 which is connected by V-belt 99 to a smaller V-belt wheel 100. Wheel 100 is mounted on a shaft 101 which is rotatably mounted at either of its ends in frame members 102 which are secured to and extend upwardly from footing members 4. Mounted on shaft 101 for rotation therewith and intermediate frame members 102 are a plurality of feeder rollers 104 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Each of rollers 104 is in frictional engagement with a similar roller 105 aligned immediately thereabove, rollers 105.

being mounted for rotation on an idler shaft 106 which is, in turn, mounted at either end in frame members 102. Thus,

rollers

104 and 105 are also rotated by motor 86. In operation the box blank is received between

rollers

104 and 105 and is moved rearwardly of the machine to a conveyor. It can be seen that as a box blank is inserted between

rollers

104, 105 it may tend to jam the rollers momentarily. The V-belt drive for

rollers

104, 105, previously described, allows for slippage in such moments of stress without interfering with the other functions of motor 86.

Rearwardly of glueing station 1 is a standard chain and sprocket conveyor generally designated 109 which is adapted to receive a box blank after it passes through

feeder rollers

104, 105. Conveyor 109 may be driven by motor 86 through the conventional chain and sprocket arrangement indicated generally at 108, said arrangement 108 drawing its power from rotating shaft 82.

Rearwardly along the path of conveyor 109 are rail plows 110 on either side of said conveyor for folding lateral terminal panels 129, 130 (FIG. 5) of a box blank 120 generally upwardly. In about the vicinity of plows 110 and mounted above conveyor 109 is a hopper 111 for storing box liners 131 (FIG. 5), From hopper 111 box liners 131 may be quickly and accurately placed on box blanks 120 as they pass therebeneath.

Rearwardly of hopper 111 is a second set of rail plows 112, one on either side of conveyor 109, for plowing the lateral

terminal panels

129, 130 of box blank 120 downwardly to a position overlying the central panels of said box blank and also overlying the box liner. It will be understood that one of the plows 112 is slightly forward of the other in order to first lower the panel 130 having the box forming sealing flap 123 thereon, subsequently plowing down the remaining lateral terminal panel 129 over and into glueing engagement with said box forming sealing flap by the rearward plow 112.

Adjacent the rearward end of conveyor 109 is the compression station 3. In the compression station are upper and lower rows of compression rollers 114, 115 respectively which are adapted to receive therebetween a partially formed box with a box liner therein. As seen in FIG. 2 rollers 114 of the upper row may be driven through chain and sprocket drive arrangements by a motor 116.

In operation, and referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, bed 9 may be lowered until it is engaged by hook 16 thereby holding it in the lowered position. A vertical stack of box blanks such as that numbered 120 in FIG. 5 may then be placed on bed 9, the inside surfaces of the blanks upwardly, to a height within the reciprocating range of applicator assembly 39. Hook 16 may then be disengaged from bed 9 by depressing foot pedal 20. Bed 9 and the stack of box blanks supported thereon will be restrained from sudden upward movement by the action of brake shoe 24 on braking hub 22.

Adhesive valves 56 may be properly located by the various set screw adjustments previously described. The location of valves 56 depends in great measure on the character of the box being preformed and also on the manner in which the box will be ultimately fully formed. In the normal application valves 56 are so positioned as to deposit spots of glue on the inside of the top closure flaps such as

flaps

121 and 122 in FIG. 5. It has been found that a single spot of glue centered in the closure flaps to be folded down last is desirable. In FIG. 5 those flaps would be flaps 122. Any number of spots of glue can be applied to the inside of the flaps to be folded down first in the actual box forming operation (flaps 121 in FIG. 5).

When valves 56 have been properly adjusted as to location and number, motor 86 may be started thereby actuating

cams

81 and 36 on shaft 82 and

feeder rollers

104, 105 on

shafts

101, 106 respectively. As previously described, when cams 81 rotate and the rises thereof pass cam followers 84, applicator assembly 39 and therefore 6 valves 56 are urged downwardly against the urgency of springs 46. Upon being lowered valves 56 conatct the up permost of the box blanks on bed 9 thereby tripping the plungers of said valves and depositing a spot of adhesive under each valve in its proper location on said box blanks.

While applicator assembly 39 is in its lowered position, suction cups 76 engage the uppermost blank of the stack thereof and adhere thereto by suction. It will be recalled that as applicator assembly 39 is lowered, suction cup mounting bar 64 and therefore suction cups 76 are pulled forwardly of flanges 41 by springs 70.

When the rises of earns 81 pass cam followers 84, applicator assembly 39 is again urged upwardly by springs 46. Valves 56 are immediately withdrawn from contact with the uppermost carton allowing the plungers thereof to be spring urged to positions stopping the flow of glue therethrough.

While assembly 39 is rising, the lobe on cam 36 passes cam follower 35 rotating crank 30 clockwise and thereby momentarily releasing the braking effect of brake shoe 24 on brake hub 22, allowing bed 9 and the stack of box blanks supported thereon to move upwardly a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the uppermost box blank being removed from the stack of blanks. As soon as the lobe of cam 36 passes cam follower 35, brake shoe 24 is again in braking engagement with brake cup 22 through the urgency of spring 34.

It will also be recalled that as assembly 39 and flange 41 thereof move upwardly an arm of crank 72 engages fixed roller 75 rotating said crank clockwise as seen in FIG. 3 and moving suction cups 76 carrying the upper most box blank rearwardly of the machine.

As the uppermost box blank is raised from the stack thereof and moved rearwardly it is engaged by feeder rollers 104, and fed onto conveyor 109, the negative pressure at suction cups 76 having been neutralized.

When the first box blank passes onto conveyor 109 the glueing station 1 repeats the previously described cycle of operation of applying glue to and passing on the next succeeding box blank to conveyor 109.

Prior to being folded upwardly with the lateral terminal flaps, and either in adhesive applying station 1 or along the path of conveyor 109, the lower side of securing flap 123 may be coated with glue as illustrated in FIG. 5. In this instance a roller applicator 124 is positioned beneath flap 123 and is supplied from a glue reservoir 125.

As the box blank progresses along the path of conveyor 109 the lateral

terminal panels

129, 130 engage the first set of folding plows 110 and are thereby folded to substantially vertical positions. At about this point the box blank passes beneath hopper 111, from which the uppermost box liner 131 (FIG. 5) is removed and properly placed above the horizontally disposed central panels of the box blank. Slight pressure may be applied to insure that the lower layer of liner 131 engages the adhesive on the

flaps

121, 122 extending from the central panels.

The box blank with the lateral terminal panels 129, in substantially vertical positions and the box liner 131 in proper location next engages the second set of folding plows 112, the panel 130 and glueing flap 123 integral therewith being the first to engage the forwardmost of the plows 112. Panel 130 is folded to a horizontal position overlying the horizontal central panels and the box liner positioned therebetween. Slight pressure will be applied by plow 112 over the spots of adhesive on the inside of closure flap 121 extending from panel 130 assuring initial engagement of said adhesive with the upper layer of liner 1311. Panel 129 is next engaged by the rearwardmost of plows 112 and is folded horizontally overlying the central panels, the liner 131 and the securing flap 123, slight pressure being applied by plow 112 to assure the engagement between securing flaps 123 and the inside marginal edge of panel 129, and between liner 131 and the spot of adhesive on closure flap 122.

The box blank in substantially flattened, preformed condition with the liner 131 secured therein passes from conveyor 169 and between the upper and lower rows of compression rollers 114 and 115 respectively. At the compression station 3 the box is pressed as flat as it can be in a preformed condition and the solid engagement of all glued surfaces including the engagement between the spots of adhesive on the closure flaps 121, 122 and liner 131 is assured.

When the preformed, flattened box is ready for ultimate use and is expanded from its flattened condition to a fully formed condition it can be seen that the liner 131 will adhere to the respective closure flaps to which it has been glued and will therefore conform to the rectangular cross-seetional contour of the expanded box. Proper location of the liner 131 within the preformed box assures that the bottom of the liner will rest on and conform to the bottom of the box when the bottom closure flaps are folded and sealed.

It should be understood that the above-detailed description discloses the preferred form of the present invention but it is not intended to be limiting, as other forms and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art which do not depart from the spirit of the invention and which come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a box forming machine for partially forming a box from a planar box blank having crease lines therein defining a pair of adjacent central panels between two terminal panels, each panel including a box sidewall and a top closure flap and a bottom closure flap, said sidewall and said top and bottom flaps being defined by crease lines at the junctures thereof, one side of said blank being an inner surface to face into said box when the latter is folded along said crease lines:

(a) blank supporting means for supporting a vertical stack of blanks with said inner surface facing upwardly;

(b) a vertically reciprocal adhesive applicator over said stack mounted for movement into and out of contact with said upwardly facing inner surface of the uppermost blank of said stack to deposit adhesive at predetermined points on said uppermost blank adjacent said crease line defining the junctures between said top flaps and said sidewalls;

(c) applicator actuating means connected with said applicator for so moving it;

(d) blank removing means for removing each uppermost blank from said stack after said adhesive has been deposited thereon;

(c) means operatively connected with said applicator actuating means for moving said blank supporting means toward said applicator a distance approximately equal to the thickness of one blank when said uppermost blank is removed from said stack.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, including:

(f) means for supporting said uppermost blank after it has been removed from said stack in a generally horizontal disposition for positioning a box liner on said adhesive.

3. The invention defined in claim 1, in which:

(f) said blank removing means includes means operatively connected to said applicator for moving said uppermost blank upwardly relative to said stack and laterally relatively to said applicator upon move ment of said applicator out of contact with said uppermost blank to convey the latter away from said applicator and said stack.

4. The invention defined in claim 3, in which:

(g) said means operatively connected to said applicator for moving said uppermost blank includes:

(1) a plurality of suction cups mounted for vertical reciprocal movement with said applicator and for lateral movement toward and away from said applicator upon movement of said applicator into and out of contact with said uppermost blank respectively, said suction cups being operatively connected to a source of negative pressure for holding said uppermost blank upon engagement therewith; and,

(2) a plurality of feeder rollers operatively connected to said applicator including upper and lower rows thereof adapted to receive therebetween an uppermost blank from said suction cups for moving said blank laterally away from said applicator and said stack.

5. The invention defined in claim 1, in which:

(1") said applicator includes a plurality of adhesive applying valves supported thereon, said valves being selectively positionable along and to either side of said crease lines defining the junctures between said top closure flaps and said sidewalls of said central and terminal panels for applying separate, spaced deposits of adhesive at predetermined locations to said inner sides of box blanks of a wide range of sizes and dimensions.

6. The invention defined in claim 5, in which:

(g) said adhesive applying valves are actuatable to so deposit said adhesive upon contact with said uppermost blank of said stack 7. The invention defined in claim 1, in which:

(f) said means for moving said blank supporting means toward said applicator includes:

(1) biasing means tending to constantly so move said blank supporting means;

(2) releasable braking means for restraining said said biasing means; and,

(3) means operatively connected to said applicator for momentarily releasing said braking means at predetermined intervals coordinated to the actuation of said applicator allowing said biasing means to move said blank supporting means toward said applicator.

Claims

1. IN A BOX FORMING MACHINE FOR PARTIALLY FORMING A BOX FROM A PLANAR BOX BLANK HAVING CREASE LINES THEREIN DEFINING A PAIR OF ADJACENT CENTRAL PANELS BETWEEN TWO TERMINAL PANELS, EACH PANEL INCLUDING A BOX SIDEWALL AND A TOP CLOSURE FLAP AND A BOTTOM CLOSURE FLAP, SAID SIDEWALL AND SAID TOP AND BOTTOM FLAPS BEING DEFINED BY CREASE LINES AT THE JUNCTURES THEREOF, ONE SIDE OF SAID BLANK BEING AN INNER SURFACE TO FACE INTO SAID BOX WHEN THE LATTER IS FOLDED ALONG SAID CREASE LINES: (A) BLANK SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A VERTICAL STACK OF BLANKS WITH SAID INNER SURFACE FACING UPWARDLY; (B) A VERTICALLY RECIPROCAL ADHESIVE APPLICATOR OVER SAID STACK MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF CONTACT WITH SAID UPWARDLY FACING INNER SURFACE OF THE UPPERMOST BLANK OF SAID STACK TO DEPOSIT ADHESIVE AT PREDETERMINED POINTS ON SAID UPPERMOST BLANK ADJACENT SAID CREASE LINE DEFINING THE JUNCTURES BETWEEN SAID TOP FLAPS AND SAID SIDEWALLS; (C) APPLICATOR ACTUATING MEANS CONNECTED WITH SAID APPLICATOR FOR SO MOVING IT: