GB2063204A - Closing boxes having tuck-in closures - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of closing folding boxes (1) with distorted insert tongues (4) or cover flaps (5) comprises engaging the insert tongues and cover flaps with closing tools (6-8) which are moved in an operative stroke along lines at an angle ( alpha ) to perpendiculars to the feed direction (3) of the boxes. The closing tools (6-8) are mounted on a common carrier (9) which in turn is adjustably supported by a carriage reciprocable by a cam drive along guides (12) which are pivotally mounted so that the angle ( alpha ) can be adjusted. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A method and apparatus for closing folding boxes provided with a tuck-in closure The closing of folding boxes provided with a tuck-in closure is generally effected, especially with attached cartoning machines, with the aid of preferably three closing tools which are adjustably fixed to a common reciprocable carrier. In so doing, viewed in the direction of movement of the folding boxes, the first closing tool serves to bend over the insert tongues, the second to insert the latter and the third closing tool for pushing the insert flaps home. With folding boxes of good quality, which are normally conveyed to the closing station, good folding box closures are produced with the aid of these closing tools. However, difficulties occur with folding boxes of lesser quality, especially with folding boxes which have distorted cover flaps or insert tongues.Such distorted cover flaps or insert tongues can have been produced either during the manufacture of the folding box blank, for example by inaccurate scoring or pre-folding, or by friction during the advance of the folding box within the chain-type conveyor.

Furthermore, a distortion of the cover flaps or of the insert tongues can also be produced by the guiding elements or the like arranged in the path of movement of the folding boxes. However, an essential influencing factor is above all the carton quality which, in recent years, has become worse as a result of the increasing energy and fuel shortages. By inclining, especially the second closing tool, which is for inserting the insert tongues, attempts have been made to handle folding boxes which also have distorted cover flaps or insert tongues. However, it has been shown that these measures are not sufficient.What is required, is a closing device the direction of movement of which can be set at a predetermined angle with respect to the normal perpendicular direction of movement. (The previously used closing station is illustrated and described for example in a leaflet of the firm Hofliger + Karg "Kartoniermaschine Cartonetta 75".

Advantages of the invention By the method in accordance with the invention comprising the characterising features of the main claim there is provided above all the advantage of a reliable method of operation which guarantees a faultless closing of folding boxes which have distorted cover flaps and insert tongues. The apparatus for carrying out the method is marked, apart from a simple construction, by an easy adjustability and handling so that only small demands are made on the operator. Due to the possible adjustments of the closing tools on the carrier which is likewise adjustable in its turn, adjustment possibilities are provided which can be made to fit all folding box conditions.

Advantageous further developments and improvements of the apparatus in accordance with the invention are made possible by the measures set forth in the further sub-claims.

Drawing An embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out the method in accordance with the invention is illustrated in a diagrammatic manner in the drawing with the aid of two figures and is described in detail in the following specification. Figure 1 shows a plan view of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a section along the line ll-ll in Figure 1.

Description of the invention As is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1, folding boxes 1 are transported in the direction of the arrow 3 with the aid of flights 2 of a chain-type conveyor (not shown). The folding boxes have already been filled by a previous apparatus (likewise not shown) and now need to be closed during further transport, that is to say the insert tongue 4 of the cover flap 5 must be inserted in the folding box 1.

Closing tools 6, 7 and 8 which are fixed to a carrier 9 serve for this purpose. As may be seen particularly from Figure 2, the carrier 9 is adjustably fixed to a carriage 11 with the aid of a screw 10. Guide elements 12 facilitate a to and fro movement of the carriage 11. A cam drive 13 is provided for generating the to and fro movement and which is mounted in a cross bar 15 fixed to the machine frame 14 or the like. The cam drive 13 is in communication with the machine drive through means which are not illustrated. The guide elements 12 are mounted in a tilting member 16 which is pivotably fixed to the machine frame 14 by means of a screw 17. By these measures, the guide elements 12 can be adjusted through the angle a (Figure 1).Thus, the possibility is provided of varying the direction of movement of the carriage 11 - with reference to the normal direction of movement carried out perpendicular to the folding box direction of travel - according to requirements. Moreover, the extent of the variation is determined in accordance with the degree of the advance of the cover flap 5 of the folding box 1. In order to achieve that the closing tools 6,7 and 8 are guided perpendicular to the folding boxes 1 with inclined guide elements 12, the carrier 9 is adjusted on the carriage 11 in a corresponding manner. As Figure 1 shows particularly, distorted cover flaps 5 are brought once again into the correct position with the aid of this device so that properly closed folding boxes 1 are produced.For the detection and secure insertion of the insert tongue 4 into the folding box 1, the closing tools 6 and 7 can have a lug-like projection 18, 18'.

The method of operation is as follows: As already mentioned, the folding boxes 1 are advanced cyclically with the aid of flights 2 which are fixed to the chain-type conveyor 22. Moreover, as Figure 1 shows, it is a question of folding boxes 1 with distorted or displaced cover flaps 5 which cannot normally be properly closed. Due to the inclined prior movement of the carriage 11 and with it the closing tools 6,7 and 8 a straight line direction of the insert flaps 5 is carried out in the respective first station in whch the insert tongue 4 is bent with the aid of the closing tool 6. At the next station, the insertion of the insert tongue 4 into the folding box 1 takes place with the aid of the tool 7. In so doing, the cover flap 5 is maintained or guided into the straight line directed position which is assisted in particular by the lug-like projection 18'.Then, with the aid of the closing tool 8, pushing back of the cover flap 5 or of the insert tongue 4 takes place once again in the third station. However, in accordance with the quality of the folding boxes 1 to be handled the pushing back of the cover flap 5 and the closing tool 8 can in general be omitted since the complete pushing in of the insert tongue 4 has already taken place with the aid of the closing tool 7.

In the previously used closing devices, the closing tool 8 was necessary a complete insertion of the insert tonque 4 was not possible with the closing tool 7 due to its inclined position.

The apparatus in accordance with the invention can, of course, also be arranged on the opposite side ofthe apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 when hand ling folding boxes with tuck-in closures at both ends.

In so doing, it is of advantage for the direction of movement of the carriage 11 - with reference to the perpendicularly extending direction of movement to be rotatable towards both ends since the cover flaps 5 can be distorted both against the direction of travel of the folding boxes and in the direction of travel of the folding boxes. This occurs chiefly with folding boxes provided with a displaced tuck-in closure. Moreover, it is a question of folding boxes in which the opposite insert tongues 4 are pushed upwards or downwards into the folding box.

Claims (7)

1. A method for closing folding boxes provided with a tuck-in closure, especially folding boxes in which the cover flaps or insert tongues are distorted, characterised in that, a direction of the cover flap in a straight line is carried out before or during the insertion of the insert tongue into the folding box.

2. Apparatus for carrying out the method accord ing to claim 1 for closing folding boxes provided with a tuck-in closure especially in an attached cartoning machine with the aid of closing tools fixed for to and fro movement on a common carrier for bending over the insert tongue and then inserting the latter into the folding box, characterised in that, the carrier for the closing tools is fixed to a carriage displaceable on pivotably arranged and formed guide elements.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 characterised in that the guide elements are fixed in a pivot member which is pivotally arranged on the machine frame.

4. Apparatus according to claims 2 and 3 characterised in that a crank drive is provided for the to and fro movement of the carriage on the guide elements.

5. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 2 to 4 characterised in that the carrier is adjustably fixed to the carriage.

6. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 2 to 5 characterised in that the closing tools have a lug-shaped projection.

7. A method of closing folding boxes, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.