Abstract:
Multiple-station article processing apparatus (10) is provided which includes an adjustable processing station (14), a drive train (20), and a selectively operable drive train brake assembly (22) operable during adjustment of station (14). The preferred apparatus (10) is designed for fabrication of box blanks, and to this end includes an infeed assembly (12) for sequentially feeding paperboard sheets into the downstream scoring/slotting station where the sheets are scored and slotted to yield finished box blanks. During makeready adjustments when the position of the knives (66, 68) of the station (14) are changed, the braking assembly (22) is actuated to prevent unintended rotation of the drive train (20), which can result in changing the properly timed relationship of the stations within apparatus (10). The braking assembly (22) preferably includes a drum (80) secured to line shaft (74) of drive train (20), with a pair of pivotally mounted brake arms (88, 90) adjacent the drum (80); a piston and cylinder assembly (98) interconnects the outer ends of the arms (88, 90), and is actuated to move the arms (88, 90) into braking engagement with drum (80) during makeready adjustments.
Abstract:
An improved slotter wheel mechanism (30) designed for use in the formation of box blanks is provided which includes a rotatable wheel assembly (32) supporting one or more slotter blades (34); the blades (34) are coupled to the wheel by means (36) permitting shifting of the blades (34) during rotation of the wheel assembly (32) between an extended slotting position and a retracted blank-clearing position. In one embodiment, a slotter wheel (222) is equipped with a plurality of spiders (232) operatively secured to corresponding blade holders (246). As the wheel (222) rotates, the spiders (232) encounter strategically located members (294, 294a, 296 and 296a) serving to successively rotate the spiders (232), thus moving the blade holders (246) and blades (256).
Abstract:
There is disclosed herein an apparatus for forming container blanks from cardboard or other paperboard-like substrates. The apparatus includes a press, platens, a coated plate member, and a die-and-knife assembly. The coating on the plate is impressible for accommodating irregularities in the machine, platen surface, or knife so as to permit the knife edges to substantially lie in a cutting plane. The coating is generally an organic coating which is liquid just above room temperature and solid at room temperature. The impressions are made in the coating and the coating is then hardened for use by polymerization such as by ultraviolet light.
Abstract:
A container blank forming machine is disclosed which allows an operator to quickly form container blanks in accordance with operator selected container type and dimensions. The preferred machine includes a framework having a flat stock support bed, selectively activatable and shiftable cutting heads, a computer, and a touch screen monitor. In operation, the computer causes the monitor to display a selection of container types to which the operator responds with a selection and specific finished container dimension data. The operator then enters flat stock into the machine which automatically cuts and scores the flat stock to form a completed container blank in accordance with the container type selection and dimensions provided by the operator.
Abstract:
A knife assembly for punching slots on cardboard sheets to allow the subsequent forming of boxes and containers. The knife assembly is substantially a flat arc section with an outer and an inner edge. The outer edge is substantially flat to permit sharp punched edges of the slot. The arc section has two ends and adjacent to one of the ends there is a sharpened section intended to produce a slit termination on the slots punched. The slit can have any desired dimensions including the entire outer edge.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for cutting an end portion of a carton blank, e.g. to form a stitch flap, employs a rotatably driven male cutting head cooperating with a rotatably driven female cutting head. The female cutting head has a peripheral cutting groove therein and an anvil surface adjacent one side of the groove. The male cutting head has a two edged slot cutting blade of predetermined arcuate length which enters the groove each revolution, and a knife which extends transversely away from the blade and engages the anvil surface each revolution. The blade has a scallop-like cut-out in the side adjacent the anvil surface. The cut-out modifies the blade to a single edged cutting blade for a small part of its length. Scrap portions produced from the carton blank by a slotting cut of the blade and a transverse cut of the knife are integrally connected together by a bridging piece enabled by this cut-out. This integral piece of scrap is conveyed by the groove to a stripping blade and then drops onto a conveyor, so eliminating any uncontrolled portion of scrap. The groove can have radial side channels for more positively gripping strips of scrap engaged therein.
Abstract:
An apparatus is described for cutting coupons from plastic webs. This apparatus includes a circular cutting blade movable into and out of engagement with a cutting surface. The blade and cutting surfaces are each supported so that they are self-aligning. The cutting surface comprises a series of discrete rotatable surfaces which are rotated about the axis of the cutting blade to effect the cut.
Abstract:
Plastic sheet material used for forming box blanks are provided with soft, bendable score lines by applying frictional heat through rapid vibration. The sheet material is clamped under high pressure between a resilient make-ready and a scoring tool, and is subjected to the vibratory action which generates frictional heat sufficient to melt the plastic material at the engaged interface, thereby forming a score line along which the sheet material may be bent to form an assembled box. A completed box blank may be formed in a single operational step, by cutting the box, impressing the score lines, and impressing embossments, if required, simultaneously in a single operational cycle of seconds duration.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the continuous production of packaging wrappers from cut blanks of flat material. A flap-like portion of the blank material is abraded in a particular fashion to produce an area which upon folding and gluing provides a bonded joint having a thickness in the area of the bonding essentially equal to the thickness of the flat material of the wrapper. The packaging wrapper produced possesses an interior surface completely void of protrusions or uneven areas and an overall wrapper of even thickness throughout.
Abstract:
Apparatus such as a paperboard printer slotter is provided with dual slotter shafts each having a device to quickly reposition a slotter knife by moving the same in a circumferential direction with respect to an annular head which supports the same. During such positioning of the slotter knife, it is held stationary while the annular support head is rotated. This slotter knife is releasably mounted on its head and a means is provided to selectively release the lock when it is desired to reposition the knife. The knives on one slotter shaft cut a slot on the leading edge of a first blank and the trailing edge of a following blank. The knives on the other slotter shaft cut the slot on the trailing edge of the first blank and the leading edge of the following blank.