Abstract: The present invention relates to a folding machine and a method of automatically folding a folding box made of a pre-grooved carton blank. The folding machine according to the invention is provided with at least one alignment means (5) for aligning said carton blank into a predeternined position on a receiving plane, a pre-folding flap (8) assigned to one tab (113) of said carton blank at a time for lifting said tabs (113) out of the receiving plane, said pre-folding flaps (8) being movable on the receiving plane, at least one fixing means (6) for securing said carton blank, at least one erecting flap (9, 10) assigned to one side wall (112) of said carton blank at a time, said erecting flap being movable on the receiving plane, and at least one connecting means assigned to one tab (113) at a time for connecting said tab (113) to the associated side walls.

Abstract: A container, such as a cardboard carton, has a carrying handle secured by a fixing element at an attachment zone adjacent each end of the handle to opposite side walls of the container. The fixing elements each have a shaft portion transverse to the plane of respective attachment zones extending through the container wall, the shaft portion having a barb extending outwardly on the shaft and engaging with the container to retain the fixing element in position. The handle is attached to the container side wails by forcing the fixing elements through the side walls at the respective attachment zones.

Abstract: The present invention provides an installation for the continuous production of presecured folded cardboard packing cases, this installation comprising essentially a glueing unit, a folding unit, a two-speed positioning station and a stapler, disposed in line.According to the invention, the positioning station comprises two devices (17 and 34) for transferring the sheets, the first of which (17) is formed by mechanical chains (18) with retractable studs (24a to 24d) and the second (34) consists of a "drive sandwich" formed preferably from two superimposed trains of mobile belts (37 and 52), the upper belt train (37) being moveable in height. These first and second transfer devices may be made respectively inactive and operational, in response to setting the glueing unit alone in operation and respectively operational and inactive in response to setting the stapler in operation.

Abstract: The end wall of a Bliss-type container is secured to the flanges extending from the side walls and the bottom of the container, the securing being accomplished by a single stitching device. The container body is caused to move in a closed path on a carriage or platen for the stitching operation.The term "stitching" herein is not intended to merely mean the use of staples, but is intended to mean, for example, the use of an eyelet machine, a riveting machine, or a commercial sewing machine.

Abstract: A machine for closing the lids of a box, especially overfilled agricultural produce boxes. The flaps of a paper box are individually closed and pressed shut to compact the contents within the box, and make ready for fastening the lid closed. The machine includes a continuously moving conveyor means on which the boxes are placed for movement through the closing and compacting portions of the machine and into and out of the lifting and fastening portion of the machine. Belt means and movable and stationary finger means are used in combination with a compacting mechanism to close the flaps and compact the box. A lifting device between and below the conveyor means lifts the boxes off of the moving conveyor into engagement with a fastening device that fastens the flaps of each box shut before it is lowered back onto the conveyor belt for movement out of the machine. The lifting device is a platform operated by a lifting mechanism which may be guided by a parallel or encircling telescoping tube.

Abstract: A box sealing apparatus on which a box with the bottom flaps folded is positioned on an anvil-type holder supported on a moveable arm. The folded box is then manually pushed into contact with a sealing mechanism. The sealing mechanism has a contacting face that is angularly displaced from the horizontal so that the anvil-type holder has an identical angular position when the anvil holder contacts the contacting face. After the box flaps are sealed, the holder with the sealed box thereupon is returned to the operator by gravitational force for removal of the sealed box.