US3134309A - Apparatus for erecting packing cases - Google Patents

Description

May 6', 1964 H. H. WEBER ETAL APPARATUS FOR ERECTING PACKING CASES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1961 mmvrons HERBERT H. WEBER BY PAUL w. JACOBSEN ATTORNEY May 26, 1964 H. H. WEBER ETAL APPARATUS FOR ERECTING PACKING CASES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 6, 1961 FIG-.7.

INVENTORS HERBERT H. WEBER PAUL w. JACOBSEN ATTORNEY May 26, 1964 H. H. WEBER ETAL 3,

APPARATUS FOR ERECTING PACKING CASES Filed Feb. 6, 1961 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 :2 ]o 0 us 9| 49 was 47 4a 36 p36 53 3| as I 56 I3 I, g g Q\\\\\\ INVENTORS HERBERT H.WEBER By PAUL W. JACOBSEN AT7DRNE Y Y May 26, 1 H. H. WEBER ETAL APPARATUS FOR ERECTING PACKING CASES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 6, 1961 mdl mmlrons HERBERT H. WEBER PAUL W. JACOBSEN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,134,309 APPARATUS FOR ECTING PACKKNG CASES Herbert H. Weber, Sheboygan, and Paul W. iacobsen, Kiel, Wis, assignors to H. G. Weber and Company, Inc, Kiel, Wis.

Filed Feb. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 87,244 3 tllaims. (Cl. 93-53) This invention relates to machinery for packing commercial products and more particularly to automatic machinery for erecting and packing cases.

Heretofore the erecting and packing of cases with a plurality of finished products have been separate operations usually accomplished with a lot of manual labor. For these reasons the cost ofthe finished product was unduly high. Therefore, it is commercially desirable to erect and pack the finished products in cases cheaply, efficiently and automatically.

In accordance with the invention claimed a new and improved method of erecting and packing collapsed cases having a pair of opposed end walls employing closure flaps is provided. This method comprises the steps of feeding the collapsed cases along a predetermined path of travel, erecting the cases as the cases advance along the path of travel, inserting a group of filled containers into one end of the cases, closing at least one closure flap at the other end of the cases and holding them closed in timed relation to the insertion of the containers into [the cases and closing at least one of the closure fiaps at said one end of the cases in timed relation to the insertion of the containers into the cases. The new and improved case packing machine comprises a frame, shuttle means mounted on the frame for moving collapsed open ended cases along a predetermined path on the frame and case attaching means mounted on the frame along the path of the cases through the machine for attaching to the surface of the cases, the attaching means after engaging the cases and upon further movement of the cases along their path causing erection of the cases. A first means for closing the trailing flap of one end of the cases and holding this flap closed is mounted on the frame. Means are provided for loading products into the other end of the cases. A second means is mounted on the frame for closing the trailing flap of the other end of the cases. The product loading means actuates the first and second closing means in sequence. Third and fourth means for closing the leading flaps of each end of the cases is provided upon further movement of the loaded cases along their path and plow means for closing the upper and lower flaps on each end of the cases is provided for completing the erecting and sealing operation.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a new and improved method for erecting and packing collapsed cases.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved erection and packing machine for repetitive operating cycles.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved erection and packing machine in which a case is erected, the flaps at one end of the case are bent in place, the case is loaded at the other end, and the flaps are bent in place at the other end to form a finished product all done automatically.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved erection and case packing machine in which the case loading means controls the flap end closing mechanisms.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved erection and case packing machine in which the case is erected, packed, sealed and placed on a discharge conveyor without changing the axial position of the packaged product.

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A still further object of this invention is to provide a repetitive cycle operating case erection and packing machine which is simple, durable and economical in construction and operation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the erection and packing machine showing the product loading conveyor and embodying the various features of the present inventions;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the unseen side of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the illustration shown in FIG. 2 showing the suction device in dotted lines in two of its extreme positions;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line 55 and showing the trailing flap closing mechanism;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view partly in section of the trailing flap and bottom flap closing mechanism;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial view of the case, leading flap closing mechanism and the gluing nozzles.

FIG. 8 illustrates and enlarged side view of the resilient fingers utilized in the case chute shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged force diagram illustrating the case and container actuating means; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial view of the suction cup actuating means shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring more particularly to the drawings by characters of reference, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the carton or case erection and packing machine 11 comprising a frame 12 defining a predetermined path over a working surface 13 for the cases from the case hopper 14 through the case erection area 15, case packing area v16 and case discharge area 17. Collapsed cartons or cases 18 are stacked in hopper 14 and are picked off of the bottom of the stack one at a time by case pick-off fingers 19 actuated in a reciprocating manner by a shuttle mechanism 21 The shuttle mechanism is illustrated as a fluid motor 22 actuable in one direction by fluid under pressure and which may be returned by a spring biasing means to its original position. The fiuid under pressure will be assumed herein to be compressed air supplied from a suitable compressor (not shown) through a pipe 23. Although the shuttle mechanism is herein shown as a fluid motor an electric motor with suitable reversing means or hand operated linkage may also be used. Fluid motor 22 comprises a cylinder 24, piston 25 and piston rod 26. An orifice in cylinder 24 is connected to pipe 23. Suit able valve means (not shown) connects pipe 23 alternately to the source of fluid under pressure and atmosphere for rapid reversal action.

The fluid motor is provided to reciprocate a shuttle table 27 along a track 28. Shuttle table 27 utilizes a pair of shuttle fingers 19 for pushing the bottom collapsed case 011 of the stack of cases toward the case erection area 15.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the shuttle fingers 19 are pivotally mounted one on each end of the shuttle table 27 and are biased counterclockwise so as to engage the lowermost collapsed case in hopper 14 during movement of the shuttle table 27 as it moves left to right as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the shuttle table reciprocates back to its left extreme position shown in FIG. 2 it moves back under the case hopper 14-, biasing fingers 19 clockwise by rubbing on the lowermost case in hopper 14.

As the shuttle table moves from left to right as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with fingers 19 pushing the collapsed r, a case is along surface 13 into the case erection area 15, a pair of pivotally mounted suction cups 3%) attach themselves to the back panel of the collapsed case. The suction cups 3% are so mounted that they rotate while hanging on to the back panel of the box while the bottom panel of the carton is moving along its predetermined path on surface 13. The suction cups are each attached to a hollow stem 31 connected at its free end through a coupling 32 to a vacuum line 33. Stems 31 are arranged to extend loosely through a shaft 34 which is pivotally mounted in bearings 35 of bracket arms 36. Bracket arms 36 are fixedly attached to frame 12. A spring 3'7 is mounted on each of stems 31 between a collar 38 mounted on each of the stems 3i and shaft 34 so that the suction cups may rotate at variable radii. A collar 39 mounted on stems 31 on the side of stems 31 adjacent suction cups 30 restrict the travel of cups 3% in the direction toward shaft 34. A torsion spring 4%) mounted on shaft 34 biases the suction cups to the dotted left hand position shown in FIG. 3 after shaft 34 and suction cups 30 have been rotated counterclockwise to the right hand dotted position shown in FIG. 3.

From the left hand dotted position shown in FIG. 3 the suction cups are driven counterclockwise to the vertical full line position shown by a lever and cam mechanism getting its action from the shuttle mechanism 26. From the vertical full line position the suction cups disengage from the lever and cam mechanism and cling to and are rotated counterclockwise to their dotted horizontal position shown in FIG. 3 by the action of the movement of the collapsed cases. The lever and cam mechanism comprises a lever arm it) pivotally mounted at one end on a shaft 41, fixedly attached to frame 12. A cam follower 42 is mounted on shaft 41 and rotates there with upon rotation of lever arm ill. Cam follower 42 engages with a cam surface 43 mounted on the shuttle table 2.7. The free end of lever arm 4th is pivotally connected to one end of a connecting rod 44. Rod 44 is pivotally connected to a shaft 45 which is fixedly secured to a crank arm 46. Crank arm 46 is connected to a hollow sleeve 47 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 4-8 fixedly secured to frame 12. Sleeve 47 is rotatable with crank arm 46. At the free end of sleeve 47 is adjustably mounted a hub 49 which has a rod 50 protruding therefrom. Sleeve 4-7, hub 49 and rod t) when rotated clockwise as shown in FIG. 4 engage a rod 51 of a slide 52. Slide 52 is arranged in a slotted housing 53 as shown in FIG. 10. Housing 53 is fixedly mounted on the end of shaft 34 causing shaft 34 to rotate counterclockwise with it a predetermined distance.

Upon further counterclockwise movement of stem 31 and suction cups 3% under the motive force of the moving collapsed cases 18, stems 31 and cups 3% move away from any driving force or retarding drag of its original motivating force, i.e., the lever arm 4d and cam arrangement 43. The reason that the suction cups are arranged to run away from their original starting mechanism is to reduce the mass of linkage associated with the suction cups since the case alone which is new opening must do the balance of the job of pivoting the suction cups and their respective stems, springs and common pivot shaft to the horizontal dotted position shown in FIG. 3.

When the suction cups have set up the case they still hang on to the case until the case has been loaded with the product and the trailing end closure flaps of the case have been closed by a flap closing bar 55. After this has been accomplished the vacuum is reduced in the suction cups and the suction cups 3% and stems 31 under the influence of the torsion spring 48 on shaft 34 swings clockwise (as shown in FIG. 3) back into their left dotted position to receive the next collapsed case.

During the forward movement of the collapsed case along its predetermined path over the working surface 13 of the packing machine the suction cups 30 engage and adhere to the trailing back panel 56 of the collapsed carton or case 18. Further, during this forward movement of the collapsed case the edges of the lower end closure flaps 57 pass under the guiding member 58, one mounted at each side of the working surface 13, so that the suction cups can rotate back panel 56 of the case to the vertical position shown. The case at this point in its travel through the packing machine is erected.

in order to guide the lower end closure flaps 57 of case 18 into the guiding members 58, flap separators come into play while the collapsed case is traveling from the hopper lid to the case erection area 15. Two flap separators 59 are provided mounted on a common shaft 64 one at each end thereof so that they can engage the end flaps of the cases. Shaft 64 is rotated by a cam arm 61 which rides over a cam surface 62 on the shuttle mechanism 2t Flap separators 59 are so arranged that they ride on top of the flaps only while the case is being pushed into the case opening position. The timing of the flap separating mechanism is such that flap separators 59 ride on top of the first flap on each end of the passing case, which is the upper closure flaps s3, 63'. As the flap separators 59 ride on top of the upper closure flaps 63, 63' they are cammed so that they press down onto and separate the end closure flaps. In so doing they catch the trailing flaps as, 64 to assist in opening the case as well as to depress the underneath or bottom closure flaps 57, 5'7 so that they get caught beneath the flap hold down guiding members 58 (note FIG. 6).

At this point the case is erected and all of the closure fiaps at both ends of the case are open. The case is then in the case packing area 16 ready to be loaded with containers so filled with any suitable produce, such as, for example, cheese. The product which may be cheese is fed onto the machine conveyor 67 where it runs into the packing machine across a dead plate 63. The position of the containers on on the dead plate 68 is sensed by a limit switch (not shown) which actuates a valve to send air to a fluid motor 69 comprising a cylinder 70, piston (not shown) and piston rod 71. Fluid motor 69 elevates the containers into a position to be pushed into the erected cases 13. A loading ram or fluid motor 72 is provided for loading the containers into the case comprising a cylinder '73, piston (not shown), piston rod 74, and ram 75.

If more than one tier of containers 66 are to be pushed into the erected cases 18, the fluid motor 69 and, more particularly, piston rod 74 elevates containers 66 into a position high enough to be caught and suspended by a plurality of finger clamps 76 similar to those shown in FIG. 8 mounted on frame 32 above the next tier of con tainers 66 coming in from the infeed conveyor 67. Fluid motor 69 again goes into action to push up the bottom tier of containers against the top tier of containers to make an accumulated load of containers on to be rammed into the erected case by the ram 75 of fluid motor 72.

As the load of containers 66 is moved into the erected case 18, a loading cycle cam 77 (shown in FIG. 5) on a shuttle structure 78 associated with ram 75 hits a roller 79 which operates the trailing flap closing bar 55. Roller 79 is rotatably mounted on one end of a crank arm 36 of a crank 81. Crank arm 82 of crank 81 is fixedly connected to the free end of crank arm 30 and both arms are rotatably mounted at their common connection on a shaft 83 attached to frame 12. The free end of crank arm 82 is connected through a rod 84 to a crank arm 85 which is pivotally mounted on a rotatable shaft 86. Shaft 86 has fixedly attached thereto the trailing closure flap bar 55. As cam 77 hits roller 79, bar is rotated to close the trailing closure flap 64 of case 18 and bar 55 is held closed by a latch 87 mounted on shaft 87. Latch 87 is provided to keep the load of containers from being pushed right through the case.

On the return stroke of ram and shuttle structure 78, shuttle catch 83 mounted on structure 78 engages a roller 89 operating a closing bar 89 for closing trailing flap 64' on the loading end of the case. Roller 89 is mounted on one end of a crank arm 90 which is fixedly mounted at its other end on a shaft 91. Shaft 91 has fixedly attached thereto the closing bar 89. Closing bar 89' is held in its closed position by a latch 92. Latches 87 and 92 for the trailing flaps 64 and 64', respectively, are released by the erection of a following case. The operation of the flap separators 59 releases latch 92 which hits stop 93 provided on a connecting rod 94 fastened at one end to latch 87, thereby releasing latch 87. Latch 92 is connected to shaft 60 through a connecting rod 95. At this point in the .case closing sequence the trailing flaps 64, 64' are closed and the leading closure flaps 96, 96', the upper closure flaps 63, 63 and the bottom closure flaps 57, 57' of the case remain open.

The loaded case now travels forward along its predetermined path. The flap closing bars 55 and 89 being quite long retain the trailing flaps 64, 64' at each end of the case closed even though the case moves. As the case moves forward under the actuating effects of the shuttle table 27 the leading closure flaps 96, 96' at each end of the case engage bars 97 (one of which is shown in FIG. 7) and these bars close the flaps. At this point the case has its trailing flaps 64, 64 and its leading flaps 96, 96' closed. The only closure flaps which are still open are the upper closure flaps 63, 63' and the lower flaps 57, 57'. At this point glue may be sprayed or spotted on the outside of the trailing and leading closure flaps 64, 64' and 96, 96, respectively. This is accomplished by means of glue spray guns 99 which may spray two or four spots of glue on each end of the case. The spray guns are located above and below the flaps closing bars 55 and 89'. It is intended to be within the scope of this invention to utilize any other form of fastening means for the case flaps. In some applications the case flaps may have some form of adhesive surface which may be moistened or heated at this point in the packing cycle to accomplish the sealing effect and this disclosure is intended to cover those applications.

The loaded case with the closed trailing and leading flaps with glue on the outside thereof now advances toward the case discharge area 17. As the case advances to this position flaps closing plows 101 and 102 arranged at each end of the case plow the upper closure flaps 63, 63 and the lower closure flaps 57, 57' closed against the glued surfaces of the trailing and leading flaps 64, 64' and 96, 96'. The case is now completely closed and glued with the containers inside.

The loaded sealed cases may be removed from the packing machine in any desirable manner. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings the loaded cases are lifted by an elevator fluid operated motor 103 into a chute 104. As the case is elevated upward a predetermined distance the bottom of the case is caught and supported by a plurality of rotatably mounted resilient fingers 105 shown in FIG. 8. These fingers rotate sufliciently to permit the case to be pushed beyond them and then as the case is released by the piston rod of the elevator fluid motor 103 the case settles down on the fingers and are supported thereby. As more loaded cases are lifted into the chute the bottom case pushes the upper case until finally chute 104 is completely loaded. When a case reaches the top of chute 104 it contacts a limit switch (not shown) which opens a valve connected with the source of air under pressure which energizes fluid motor 106. Fluid motor 106 through its piston rod 107 transfers the case across to the flight delivery conveyor 108 and into position 109. The transferring across is timed with the flight conveyor. It should be noted that the flight conveyor also keeps the closure flaps of the case closed and adds additional time for setting up of the glue. The flight bars 110 with the loaded cases in position 109 continuously lowers the loaded cases until they arrive at position 111 where the loaded sealed cases drop onto a discharge conveyor 112. The actuation of the flight bars and the delivery conveyor containers into the erected case.

108 may occur through a suitable electrically driven chain drive, or in any suitable manner well known in the art.

Thus, a new and improved case erecting and packing machine is provided which sequentially picks off one collapsed case at a time from a hopper 14 and pushes it into the case erection area 15 where the case 18 is opened by means of suction cups 30 in combination with bottom closure flap guiding means 58. A support stop (shown in FIG. 3) is adjustably arranged and clamped on a rod 116 for supporting the top of the case during an erection operation. Stop 115 may be moved to suitably position cases of different sizes. Upon erection of the case a fluid motor 69 stacks the filled containers 66 in tiers and a fluid motor 72 forces the filled Fluid motor 72 upon actuation of a shuttle moves a trailing flap closing means for closing the end of the case opposite the loading end. The trailing flap closing bar 55 is latch closed until the case is filled with containers.

Upon withdrawal of the loading arm 75 of fluid motor 72 the trailing flap closing bar 39 is actuated to close the trailing closure flap 64. The closing bar latches 87 and 92 are then released by the flap separators 59 as the loaded case moves forward along a predetermined path. The forward movement of the loaded case causes bars 97 to close the leading closure flaps 96, 96'. Glue is then applied to the closed trailing and leading flaps. Further movement of the loaded case causes closing plows 101 and 102 to close the upper and lower closure flaps, thus completely closing and sealing the case. The loaded case is then moved vertically through a chute 104 and then pushed onto a flight delivery conveyor 108 which deposits it onto a discharge conveyor.

FIG. 9 illustrates diagrammatically the forces acting on the case and containers as they move through the machine. Each of the force actuating means is identified. These force actuating means are interconnected with each other by micro switches and the like in well known manners.

The new and improved automatic case erecting and packing machine is relatively small in size and can erect, load and discharge at least twenty-five cases a minute. The cases formed of cardboard or any other suitable material are completely controlled at all times during opening and positioning cycles thereby assuring squared set up and positive positioning every time. As the case is being opened and positioned, the filled containers to be packaged are automatically accumulated into a predetermined pattern and elevated to multi-tiers, if required. The packing machine has a positive interlocking arrangement throughout all of its operations. The packing machine is a completely enclosed, self-contained system. It is arranged for simplicity and eflicient operations.

Although air under pressure has been used to actuate the various fluid motors, oil or any other suitable fluid under pressure may also be used. It is also intended to be within the scope of this disclosure to utilize one or more electric motors in place of one or all of the fluid motors disclosed.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine comprising in combination a frame, means for moving a collapsed open ended case along a predetermined path on said frame, means mounted along said path for attachment to said case, means for actuating said attachment means to cause engagement with said case, said attachment means after attachment and upon further movement of said case along said path disengaging from said actuating means, said attachment means 0 upon said further movement of said case along said path causing erection of said case.

2. A machine comprising in combination a frame, means for moving a collapsed open ended case along a predetermined path on said frame, rotatably mounted means mounted along said path for attachment to said case, means for actuating said attachment means to cause engagement with said case, said attachment means after attachment and upon further movement of said case along said path disengaging from said actuating means, said attachment means upon said further movement of said case along said path rotating and thereby causing erection of said case.

3. A machine comprising in combination a frame, means for moving a collapsed open ended case along a predetermined path on said frame, rotatably mounted suction means mounted along said path for attachment to said case, means for actuating said suction means to cause engagement with said case, said suction means after attachment and upon further movement of said case along said path disengaging from said actuating means, said suction means upon said further movement of said case along said path rotating under the action of said moving case thereby causing erection of said case.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,873,059 Smith et al Aug. 23, 1932 2,280,773 Ferguson Apr. 28, 1942 2,669,076 Ormsby Feb. 16, 1954 2,803,932 Nigrelli et al Aug. 27, 1957 2,831,300 Schroeder Apr. 22, 1958 2,901,873 Enos Sept. 1, 1959 2,923,112 Harker Feb. 2, 1960 2,943,427 Fisher July 5, 1960 3,060,654 Lubersky et al Oct. 30, 1962

Claims (1)

1. A MACHINE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A FRAME, MEANS FOR MOVING A COLLAPSED OPEN ENDED CASE ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH ON SAID FRAME, MEANS MOUNTED ALONG SAID PATH FOR ATTACHMENT TO SAID CASE, MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS TO CAUSE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CASE, SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS AFTER ATTACHMENT AND UPON FURTHER MOVEMENT OF SAID CASE ALONG SAID PATH DISENGAGING FROM SAID ACTUATING MEANS, SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS

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