Abstract: A low profile linear movement lock-up system that uses a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism to open and close a sliding jaw to selectively tighten and loosen a print carrier sheet on a print roll. The rack-and-pinion gear mechanism includes a sliding cam with diagonal cam slots and locking clip with pins that slide within the cam slots to open and close the jaw. The rack-and-pinion lock-up device may be configured for installation on a print roll, either in a new machine or in a retrofit application. The rack-and-pinion lock-up device may also be deployed within a print roll, or as a printing machine including a print roll with a rack-and-pinion lock-up device. An existing printing machine may be retrofitted by replacing its existing lock-up system with the rack-and-pinion lock-up system.

Abstract: A double box glue and tape machine that includes upper and lower seam conveyors with separately positionable gluing conveyors and idler rollers, which allows the idler rollers to be moved out of the way so that the upper and lower seam gluing conveyors may be positioned opposite each other for simultaneous gluing of overlapping seams. The machine also includes a semi-automatic alignment and feed system that includes one or more remotely operable gates for blocking the entrance of a pair of box blanks into the machine to facilitate alignment of the box blanks prior to feeding them into the machine. The alignment and feed system may also include outboard rollers to provide lateral support to the box blanks, input guide rollers to direct the box blanks into the seam conveyors, a seam separator to facilitate separation of the seam around the glue head, and a cold glue flushing system.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing corrugated board that includes a row of pressure applicators aligned substantially transverse to the direction of machine flow and configured to press a web of corrugated board against a heated platform. To prevent the pressure applicators from tilting when incompletely overlying the web of corrugated board, the machine includes a stabilizer configured to prevent one or more of the pressure applicators from tilting. The stabilizer may include support plates connected to the pressure applicators and a stabilizer strap connecting two of the support plates to prevent the pressure applicator from tilting. Alternatively, the stabilizer may include support plates connected to the pressure applicators and one or more alignment members to prevent the pressure applicator from tilting. The alignment members may be alignment blocks or rollers.

Abstract: A scoring head configured for rotating about an axis of rotation and impressing score lines into corrugated board. The scoring head includes an inner wheel portion extending axially along an axis of rotation, extending radially about the axis of rotation, and defining first and second radial edges. The scoring head also includes a scoring edge portion located at an axially outer edge of the inner wheel portion and faired into the first and second radial edges of the inner wheel portion. The scoring edge portion, when viewed in cross-section, includes a substantially axial tier located between two substantially radial sides. The scoring edge portion also includes a curvilinear nipple shaped nib faired into the radial sides of the axial tier and faired into the first and second radial edges of the inner wheel portion. The nib may also include a base portion faired into the first and second radial edges and a bottle nose-shaped portion faired into the base.

Abstract: A low friction machine for manufacturing corrugated board is described. The machine effectively extends the life expectancy of critical machine components such as the feet used in pressure applicators as well as a conveyor belt by reducing friction. The machine includes a foot operative for applying pressure to the substrate. The foot includes a conduit having a first end and a second end. An actuator attached to the foot and moves the foot between a raised position and a lowered position. The lowered position is proximate the substrate. An air supply connected to the first end of the conduit and supplies air to the foot. A check valve coupled to the second end of the conduit and regulates airflow in the foot. The check valve is opened when the foot is in the lowered position and closed when the foot is in the raised position.

Abstract: Two ink applicators, each with an ink roll and an ink chamber, for supplying ink to a print roll, and one or more applicator adjustment mechanisms for retracting one ink applicator away from the print roll while the other ink applicator contacts and supplies ink to the print roll. The applicator adjustment mechanisms has eccentric bearings and gears, a primary actuator operates each applicator adjustment mechanism, and a secondary actuator operates a travel limiting mechanism connected to the primary actuator. Alternatively, one or more actuators operate one or more pivot arms, with the ink applicators mounted thereon, for engaging or retracting the ink applicators. A main drive rotates the print roll and the ink rolls, a registration adjustment mechanism with differential gearing permits adjusting the print roll rate of rotation, and an idle drive mechanism with clutches and motors permits rotating the ink rolls independently of the main drive.

Abstract: A variable heat transfer system and a passive, segmented hold-down mechanism for a preheater section and a hotplate section of a machine for manufacturing corrugated board. The preheater assembly having the variable heat transfer system includes a plurality of actuators to urge a continuous web of material toward a preheater drum. A sacrificial material is positioned between the web of material on the preheater drum and the actuators. In response to moisture detection in the material by a plurality of sensors, one or more of the actuators applies variable pressure in the cross-machine direction to the wet portion of the material. Also, the passive, segmented hold-down mechanism includes a plurality of independently weighted feet for varying a variable pressure profile in the cross-machine direction formed upon the web of corrugated board. The hold-down mechanism compensates for variations in the contour of the surface of the hotplate section.

Abstract: A moving-web slack reducing system including a deformable tension roller, such as a brush-type tension roller having an outer surface defined by the ends of a plurality of bristles. The slack reducing system may be deployed in a preheater assembly for a machine for manufacturing corrugated board. The bristles of the deformable tension roller allow the outer surface of the tension roller to deflect both radially and in the cross-machine direction without binding to the paper web. The bristles may also deflect variably across the tension roller in the cross-machine direction. Thus, the deflection of the bristles adjusts automatically and virtually instantaneously to changes in the tension of the paper web to compensate for variations in tension across the web in the cross-machine direction. This allows the brush-type tension roller to take the slack out of the paper web without having to rapidly and precisely adjust any actuators.

Abstract: A disclosed embodiment of the invention is a belt-driven printer-cutter machine 10 including a roller-mounted feed/print machine section 14 and a fixed cutting machine section 16. A spline-type separable coupling 30-32 between these machine sections allows the feed/print section to be rolled on a fixed track 18 directly opposite the machine direction to separate the machine sections for maintenance, changing the printing plate 88 and cutting die 108, and to make other adjustments during machine setup. The sections may then be rolled back into engagement at the spline-type coupling to transmit power between the machine sections. The printer-cutter machine includes separate synchronous belts for the drive trains of each machine section. The machine may also include a separate synchronous belt for the fixed and adjustable rolls of each machine section.

Abstract: A disclosed embodiment of the invention is a belt-driven printer-cutter machine 10 including a roller-mounted feed/print machine section 14 and a fixed cutting machine section 16. A spline-type separable coupling 30-32 between these machine sections allows the feed/print section to be rolled on a fixed track 18 directly opposite the machine direction to separate the machine sections for maintenance, changing the printing plate 88 and cutting die 108, and to make other adjustments during machine setup. The sections may then be rolled back into engagement at the spline-type coupling to transmit power between the machine sections. The printer-cutter machine includes separate synchronous belts for the drive trains of each machine section. The machine may also include a separate synchronous belt for the fixed and adjustable rolls of each machine section.

Abstract: A machine and method for manufacturing corrugated board, including several machines for applying heat to both sides of the corrugated board during the manufacturing process. Different types of heat exchangers may be used on the top and bottom sides of the moving surface to transfer sufficient heat to the moving surface, to remove moisture and to cure the adhesive of the corrugated board. Independently controlled heat exchangers enable the manufacturer to regulate the heat applied to the corrugated board across the width of the machine and in the direction of the machine flow, in response to varying the desired width and thickness of corrugated board. Unused areas of the hotplate section may be isolated to minimize the heat loss in the machine when narrow width corrugated board is manufactured.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a scoring head assembly and method for creating score lines on corrugated board. The scoring head assembly includes a scoring head and an anvil. The scoring head is fixed to a first rotatable shaft and the anvil is fixed to a second rotatable shaft that rotates in the opposite direction from the first shaft. The scoring head is annular shaped and has a central annular extension. The anvil is made of a deformable material capable of variable deformation relative to the amount of pressure applied thereto by the scoring head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying variable pressure to a moving surface, such as a moving web of corrugated paperboard. The apparatus includes a frame secured to a fixed structure and located proximate to a heated platform. A number of pressure applicators having movable pressure-applying feet are mounted on the frame. The moving surface moves between the heated platform and the feet of the pressure applicators. The pressure-applying feet are movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving surface. This allows the pressure-applying feet to press the moving surface against the heated platform as the moving surface moves between the heated platform and the feet of the pressure applicators. Each pressure applicator may be independently controlled, typically by an inflatable air bladder, to apply variable pressure to the moving surface.

Abstract: A corrugated board folder is disclosed for folding the flap of a corrugated board onto the base of the corrugated board along a fold line having an inside fold line and an outside fold line. The corrugated board folder includes a conveyor mounted on a frame for supporting the corrugated board during folding and a series of rollers that engage the flap of the corrugated board. Each roller in the series of rollers is supported adjacent the conveyer by a roller bracket. The roller has an axis which pivots about a bracket pivot point of the roller bracket. The bracket pivot point for each bracket is aligned with the inside fold line of the corrugated board and each roller is angularly positioned to squarely engage the flap of the corrugated board.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying variable pressure to a surface. The apparatus includes a frame secured to a fixed structure and located proximate to the surface. A foot is mounted for movable relation relative to the frame in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface. The pressure applicator is connected to a pressure device which biases the applicator away from the surface. The present invention also includes a variable pressure source connected to a control device for varying the pressure supplied to the pressure applicator that is ultimately applied to the surface.

Abstract: A device for and method of spacing a corrugating guide finger relative to a corrugating roll. The device includes a tail and a head. The head has a slot therethrough for sliding receipt of the corrugating guide finger. To space the finger, the slot is slidingly received onto the finger and the tail simultaneously contacts the inner surface of the finger and the outer surface of the corrugating roll.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for applying variable pressure to a surface. The apparatus includes a frame secured to a fixed structure and located proximate to the surface. The frame is in movable relation with a pressure applicator in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface. The pressure applicator is connected to a pressure source. The pressure applicator contacts the surface. A mechanical compensator is mounted integrally with the pressure applicator to enable the pressure applicator to compensate for any variations in the contour of the surface. The present invention also includes a control device for varying the pressure supplied to the pressure applicator that is ultimately applied to the surface.