Abstract: A diverting system is proposed for diverting boxes from normal production flow. One embodiment comprises a diverter with a diverter surface, a diverter cam in contact with the diverter, a diverter cam shaft connected to the top diverter cam such that rotation of the diverter cam shaft causes rotation of the diverter cam, and an electric motor connected to the diverter cam shaft and configured to rotate the diverter cam shaft. The diverter cam is configured to control position of the diverter as the diverter cam rotates such that rotation of the diverter cam causes the diverter surface to move from a position above normal production flow to a diverting position within the normal production flow.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing boxes made of paper or cardboard, whereby the boxes have a base or a lid with a glued-on sidewall and the sidewalls are formed from a strip with a beginning, an end, and connecting tabs on a long side. First, the connecting tabs are bent by about 90°. Next, the strip beginning is placed against the lateral surface of a cylindrical matrix, whose cross section corresponds to the cross section of the box, with the aid of a patrix and attached by vacuum. Next, the matrix is rotated. In so doing, the strip is suctioned by vacuum onto the lateral surface and held in place. After application of an adhesive at the beginning or end of the strip, the beginning and end of the strip are glued together. A base along whose periphery an adhesive bead is applied is then pressed onto the connecting tabs. After the adhesive has hardened, the finished box can be removed from the matrix.

Abstract: A machine to fold a cardboard blank into an open tray, the machine including means to displace a blank from a stack of blanks to a table, means to clamp the blank in a fixed position to the table, folding means to fold up sides and ends of the blank into vertically extending walls, consolidation means to urge overlapping flaps of the sides or ends into slots in the base of the blank and, means to eject the open tray from the machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus (10) for erecting cartons include a device (32) removing the upper carton (12) from a first stack of horizontally arranged cartons and pivots it to a vertical condition. The first stack is elevated by a lifting device (28) as the cartons are removed. A second stack is moved beneath the first stack when it reaches a hand-off elevation. A first connecting device (200) moves the removed carton from the vertical condition to in front of a planar plate (202) and a second connecting device (220). Suction cups (76) in a linear arrangement connect to the carton and are pivotally mounted to a pivotal transform arm (63) and move parallel to the planar plate (202). Tuckers (226, 228, 230) close the closure flaps of the carton, and a piece of tape is applied by a tape dispenser (236) thereover.

Abstract: A machine for making a reinforced, collapsible bulk bin assembly is provided. The machine includes a body blank feeding device for providing a body blank from a stack of body blanks, an erecting device for partially erecting the body blank, a folding device for partially folding a bottom blank, a bottom insertion device for inserting the partially folded bottom blank into the partially erected body blank, and first fingers for attaching major flaps of the body blank to the bottom blank. The machine also includes second fingers for attaching minor flaps of the body blank to major flaps of the body blank, wherein the erecting device collapses the partially erected body blank after the first fingers attach the major flaps to the bottom blank.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus or system for automatically assembling or erecting tote containers, and a corresponding method or process for practicing or implementing the assembly or erection of the tote containers, is disclosed wherein tote container workpieces are disposed in a serial array within a magazine or hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the vacuum assisted bonding of sections of corrugated cardboard and for manufacturing corrugated cardboard. A pressure plate has a bore for applying a vacuum therethrough. A first section of corrugated cardboard has an orifice which is aligned with the bore in the pressure plate. Adhesive is applied between the first section of corrugated cardboard and a second section of corrugated cardboard and the second section is placed adjacent to the first section away from the pressure plate. A vacuum is applied through the bore in the pressure plate and orifice in the first sections to cause the first and second sections to be drawn and adhered together. In the manufacture of corrugated cardboard, vacuum and optionally hot air are applied to opposite edges of the sandwiched core of fluted linerboard with adhesive and overlaying flat linerboard to draw them together to form the corrugated cardboard.

Abstract: A machine for making a reinforced, collapsible bulk bin assembly is provided. The machine includes a body blank feeding device for providing a body blank from a stack of body blanks, an erecting device for partially erecting the body blank, and a bottom insertion device for inserting a partially folded bottom blank into the partially erected body blank. The machine also includes first fingers for attaching major flaps of the body blank to the bottom blank, second fingers for attaching minor flaps of the body blank to major flaps of the body blank after the body blank has been collapsed, and a strapping device for simultaneously applying a plurality of straps to an exterior surface of the body blank.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for folding a nonwoven web without mechanical contact against a folding surface. A first portion of the nonwoven web is secured to a collector by vacuum and a positive pressure differential is applied to a second portion of the moving nonwoven web. An unbalanced lifting force applied by the positive pressure differential causes the first portion to fold along a longitudinal fold line extending in a machine direction and to assume an overlapping relationship with the second portion. The vacuum assists in the folding process and maintains the overlapping relationship until the nonbonded nonwoven web is consolidated. One or more elastic strands or bands may be captured in the space defined between the overlapped first and second portions.

Abstract: Rotary transfer mechanism is mounted on a frame for removing a flat folded carton from a storage hopper to move the carton to a flight conveyor assembly and in cooperation therewith erect the carton to be in an open rectangular condition. The transfer mechanism includes end plates rotated in one angular direction and vacuum cup assemblies rotated therewith and relative thereto in the opposite angular direction. The cup assemblies include transversely opposite cups having adjacent sides less flexible than their remote sides and intermediate cups having buttons therein to form dimples in a carton panel when grippingly engaged. The flight assembly includes guideways to have lugs of flight devices extend into their channels as devices move along the upper run of an endless conveyor. The flight devices include flight bars extending vertically above the lugs as the lugs move in said channels.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for folding a nonwoven web without mechanical contact against a folding surface. A first portion of the nonwoven web is secured to a collector by vacuum and a positive pressure differential is applied to a second portion of the moving nonwoven web. An unbalanced lifting force applied by the positive pressure differential causes the first portion to fold along a longitudinal fold line extending in a machine direction and to assume an overlapping relationship with the second portion. The vacuum assists in the folding process and maintains the overlapping relationship until the nonbonded nonwoven web is consolidated. One or more elastic strands or bands may be captured in the space defined between the overlapped first and second portions.

Abstract: A machine is provided for spreading out cardboard boxes automatically, which is structured such that cardboards can be held in a holding mechanism upright and closely side by side, and fed to a main body one after another, and which have sucking disks for drawing the cardboards to spread out the same; the sucking disks can be adjusted in position as well as length of space between them; the machine further has a bending mechanism for bending bottom shutter portions of the cardboard boxes after the cardboard boxes are spread out; adhesive tapes are automatically applied onto the bottom of the boxes to seal the boxes after the bottom shutter portions of the boxes are bent.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for erecting a carton, and a method of and an apparatus for closing a carton. The carton has 180° fold lines with a compressed area at each end and a slit joining the compressed areas. A carton is erected by moving the blank in a first direction against a stop to form a first set of 90° folds, holding the blank stationary with a suction while pushing the blank in a second direction to form a second set of 90° folds, erecting the carton. A filled carton is closed by advancing it through the central opening of a V-shaped member to increasingly fold the carton top panels. The closed carton is sealed by advancing it through a second V-shaped member and into contact with a pivotally supported sealing device.

Abstract: A method and device for conveying folded sheet elements, whereby a sheet element, folded to have at least two superimposed portions connected along a fold, is fed along a given path by a movable gripping head, which engages and retains by suction a first of the two portions of the sheet element, and simultaneously deforms the fold to retain the second portion in contact with the first as the sheet element is conveyed.

Abstract: A machine is provided for spreading out cardboard boxes automatically, which is structured such that cardboards can be held in a holding mechanism upright and closely side by side, and fed to a main body one after another, and which have sucking disks for drawing the cardboards to spread out the same; the sucking disks can be adjusted in position as well as length of space between them; the machine further has a bending mechanism for bending bottom shutter portions of the cardboard boxes after the cardboard boxes are spread out; adhesive tapes are automatically applied onto the bottom of the boxes to seal the boxes after the bottom shutter portions of the boxes are bent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating corrugated composite stiffeners provides a base tool having grooves formed in an outer surface and a roller having a rotating shaft and a removable, lobed, elastomeric member surrounding the shaft. The lobes of the elastomeric member form a radial array around the shaft and match the contours of the grooves in the base tool. A section of prepreg fabric is placed between the roller and the base tool, and the roller is rotated to sequentially engage the lobes with the grooves, the lobes pressing the fabric into the grooves, the fabric conforming to the contours of the grooves. Several layers of fabric are applied, then the elastomeric member is released from the shaft, laid out flat, and placed on the fabric on the base tool, the lobes locating in the grooves. The base tool, fabric, and elastomeric member are enclosed in a vacuum bag and heated to cure the fabric.

Abstract: A device for unfolding of folded boxes, comprising a magazine for receiving of flat folded-box sleeves, a removing device for the individual removal of the folded-box sleeves from the magazine and for feeding the folded-box sleeves to an unfolding station where the folded-box sleeves are partially unfolded along a compressing section. The unfolding device has after the compressing section a chute for the precisely fitting receipt of the partially unfolded folded-box sleeves, an output device to remove the folded-box sleeves from the chute, and an expansion chamber following the chute for receiving the fully unfolded folded-box sleeves in order to achieve a very high unfolding rate.

Abstract: A case is gripped by its side panel by suction cups mounted on a squaring arm and rotated out of a magazine into contact with a squaring rail, which forces the case into a squared configuration as the case rotates into position between two drive belts, one fixed, and one with a gate-like swinging section which is rotated open. The bottom minor flaps are then closed by minor flap folders as the swinging belt section rotates closed, gripping the case. The drive belts then convey the case out of the squaring area, over flap ploughs which close the bottom major flaps. The squaring arm, fixed drive belt, and rear minor flap folder are mounted to a carrier. The front minor flap folder and major flap ploughs are mounted to a second carrier. The adjustment mechanism of both carriers is coupled to the adjustment mechanism of the magazine height.

Abstract: The machine assembles cardboard boxes of the type that comprises a main piece or sheet and two independent sheets comprising the front ends, lateral sheets that attach to some laps that form part of the main piece. As a novel characteristic, it includes some side feeders where the independent lateral sheets are stacked and some devices for conveying such lateral sheets that place them on both sides of the male forming element or mandrel, in whose descent such lateral sheets are conveyed and also the main sheet to the folding mold located underneath where the box assembly will be finally formed. This folding mold also includes some improvements that facilitate the assembly of the box.

Abstract: A method for making a longitudinal fold in a web, including the steps of: (1) providing a web-supporting device; (2) providing a folding belt disposed adjacent to a first longitudinal edge of the web-supporting device; (3) providing the web which is superimposed onto a web-contacting surface of the web-supporting device such that a first longitudinal edge of the web extends laterally beyond the first longitudinal edge of the web-supporting device and at least partially onto the folding belt; and (4) folding the first longitudinal fold of the web by twisting the folding belt around its longitudinal axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of rotation of the folding belt extends parallel to the longitudinal fold line of the web.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing folding box blanks from a folding box magazine and transferring them to between drivers of a conveyor system has a suction rotor with suction cups. The suction rotor is coupled to a four-bar mechanism, which erects the folding box blank along a stationary erecting shunt. By the engagement of the suction cups with a trailing side wall of the folding box blank, which wall stands vertically with reference to the feeding direction, and because of the disposition of the erecting shunt, a high output can be attained with the conveyor system driven incrementally, and folding box blanks can be processed whose front lower edge, in terms of the feeding direction, is located frontmost in the folding box magazine.

Abstract: In the method for feeding blanks in the container-forming unit, the blank is advanced onto the wrapping mandrel which is attached to a moving structure, which moves the wrapping mandrel between the different processing stations of the container-forming unit. Blanks are advanced as a continuous blank web to the wrapping mandrel of the wrapping station, where they are detached from the end of the blank web and advanced onto the wrapping mandrel. The blank web is fed by means of a conveyor situated before the detachment point in the feeding direction by steps corresponding to the length of a blank, and after each feeding movement a blank is detached from the end of the blank web.

Abstract: A machine is provided for the creasing, perforation or circular cutting of a material in the form of sheets such as paper, plastic and the like. The machine includes a bed, a horizontal loading plane (11) that is intended to accommodate at least one stack of starting sheets, a feeding plane (13) as a continuation of the loading plane, an advancing suction roller (14) to pick up and transfer every single sheet from the bottom of the stack on the loading plane to the feeding plane, and a processing unit (15) that is intended to accommodate one sheet at a time for a creasing, perforation or cutting operation. A female grooving tool, each consisting of annular elements that are assembled together, is provided for the creasing.

Abstract: A method for making a longitudinal fold in a web, including the steps of: (1) providing a web-supporting device; (2) providing a folding belt disposed adjacent to a first longitudinal edge of the web-supporting device; (3) providing the web which is superimposed onto a web-contacting surface of the web-supporting device such that a first longitudinal edge of the web extends laterally beyond the first longitudinal edge of the web-supporting device and at least partially onto the folding belt; and (4) folding the first longitudinal fold of the web by twisting the folding belt around its longitudinal axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of rotation of the folding belt extends parallel to the longitudinal fold line of the web.

Abstract: A processing station (10) for high speed printing, handling and die cutting of blanks or blanks (26) is provided which includes a clamshell-type die cutter (12), as well as a feeding device (14) including a transfer mechanism (16) and pickup member (18). The station (10) may also include a printing assembly (20) and a cut blank removal assembly (22). In operation, individual blanks (26) from a stack (28) are successively fed by the transfer mechanism (16) and are picked up by the member (18); the blanks are delivered to the die cutter (12) when the latter is open and after die cutting the removal assembly (22) is employed to lift the cut blank (26) from the cutter (12) and shift the blank (26) to a slide plate (116). A pusher bar (122) then operates to move the cut blank (26) to an outfeed conveyer (146). The station (10) is capable of handling relatively thick corrugated blanks (26) at high speed and without constant operator attendance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for distributing wear over a plurality of elements on a rotating member. In the case of a cutoff or perforation roll, a plurality of retractable cutoff or perforation blades can be actuated to be extended or retracted to selectively cut or perforate a web. To distribute blade wear, extended blades are occasionally retracted while other blades are extended. Where it is desired to continue producing cuts or perforations of a desired length through such blade indexing, the spacing and number of blades before and after indexing are preferably the same. Most preferably, each blade retracted during indexing is replaced by a blade on the same side of and at the same distance from the blade being retracted. To hold the web during web cutting or perforating operations, the roll is preferably provided with vacuum apertures to which is supplied vacuum via vacuum lines, vacuum valves, and a vacuum source, thereby creating suction through the vacuum apertures.

Abstract: A device for separating two webs of material which are arranged on top of each other. The webs of material are to be separated while they are being transported on a conveying device, the first of the webs of material being detachably fixed to the conveying device. The device includes a suction device which is moveable in relation to the second web of material and by which means it is able to temporarily draw the second web of material by suction and separate it from the first web of material. Two cranks are set apart, each crank rotates about a first pivot pin and is rotationally connected to the suction device by a second pivot pin. A drive device with an engaging element is connected to an engaging element configured on one of the cranks. The paths of revolution of the drive device engaging element and the crank engaging element do not coincide and are nonparallel, and the engaging elements engage with each other in such a way that they can be displaced in relation to each other.

Abstract: The apparatus for forming a container is situated in a container-forming unit comprising different processing stations. The apparatus for forming a container includes a wrapping mandrel attached to a moving structure, which is arranged to move the wrapping mandrel between different processing stations, and the members for feeding the blank to the wrapping mandrel. The apparatus for forming the container also has members to wrap the blank around the wrapping mandrel in order to form a structure that is closed in the horizontal cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The wrapping mandrel is equipped with suction openings distributed on its perimeter, which openings are connected to the air duct in order to wrap the blank around the wrapping mandrel with the aid of suction.

Abstract: A flap folding assembly for engaging a work piece, such as a paperboard carton flap, and moving that flap into a desired position. The flap folding apparatus can be used in a continuous motion packaging machine to engage a sleeve type carton flap as the carton is transported downstream through the package machine. The apparatus is operated in timed relationship with the machine's carton conveyor either by mechanically interlinking the apparatus to the main machine drive, or by the use of a servo drive operated from and controlled by the packaging machine's main controller. The flap folding apparatus includes a vacuum cup driven in a circular path by a drive mechanism comprised of two spaced gears which are driven in the same direction of rotation.

Abstract: An existing box-making machine is retrofitted by first removing the pull rolls and impression cylinder and other associated parts and cross-ties. However, the heavy duty side frames and drums, including the print cylinder are left intact in the box-making machine. A vacuum transfer machine is then inserted in the box-making machine and mounted to the existing frame to replace the pull rolls that were removed. The vacuum transfer machine includes a hood enclosure having an impression cylinder for printing, and transport rolls on opposite sides of the impression cylinder for conveying the corrugated boards through the impression and print cylinders and to the die cutter. The boards are held against the transport rolls and the impression cylinder by vacuum generated in a vacuum chamber in the hood which also contains the transport rolls and the impression cylinder. The vacuum chamber contains a plurality of vacuum dampers for controlling the vacuum area in accordance with the size of the boards being processed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for distributing wear over a plurality of elements on a rotating member. In the case of a cutoff or perforation roll, a plurality of retractable cutoff or perforation blades can be actuated to be extended or retracted to selectively cut or perforate a web. To distribute blade wear, extended blades are occasionally retracted while other blades are extended. Where it is desired to continue producing cuts or perforations of a desired length through such blade indexing, the spacing and number of blades before and after indexing are preferably the same. Most preferably, each blade retracted during indexing is replaced by a blade on the same side of and at the same distance from the blade being retracted. To hold the web during web cutting or perforating operations, the roll is preferably provided with vacuum apertures to which is supplied vacuum via vacuum lines, vacuum valves, and a vacuum source, thereby creating suction through the vacuum apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus for erecting flat blanks into three-dimensional box parts has a machine frame, a bin on the frame holding a stack of the blanks with a lower surface of a lowermost blank largely exposed at a base of the stack, an erecting unit on the frame spaced downstream in a transport direction from the bin, and a conveyor on the frame. The conveyor has at least two spaced endless conveyor elements having upper stretches extending horizontally underneath the bin in the direction, respective suction boxes generally level with the upper stretches, and a drive for advancing the elements in the transport direction. An extractor on the frame underneath the bin includes a vertically displaceable vacuum-operated suction head engageable with the lower surface of the lowermost blank for pulling same out of the bin and setting it on the conveyor.

Abstract: A carton feed opening wheel assembly for opening carton blanks into preformed cartons on a packaging machine is disclosed. The carton feed opening wheel assembly has a pair of spaced and generally parallel endless vacuum conveyor belts moving along a path of travel from a carton magazine assembly to a carton transport conveyor, and a carton opening wheel positioned on the packaging machine with respect to the vacuum conveyor belts for engaging the top portion of an unopened carton blank being moved on the vacuum conveyor belts toward the carton transport conveyor. The carton opening wheel has at least one suction cup supported thereon for engaging the top portion of the carton blank at a speed and direction substantially the same as the speed and direction of the unopened carton blank moving on the vacuum conveyor belts.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for partially setting up a blank (12) is disclosed including first suction cups (122) for removing the first blank (12) from a magazine (96). The first suction cups (122) are pivotally mounted to the ends of pivot arms (110) to move the first blank (12) up and over actuators (102) of the magazine (96) as the first blank (12) is moved forward out of the magazine (96). After the lower edge of the first blank (12) passes over the actuators (102), the lower portion of the blank (12) is supported in an intermediate position upon an abutment bar (106). While still secured to the first suction cups (122), second suction cups (78) are secured to the blank (12). The second suction cups (78) tilt the blank (12) to be parallel to and move with upstanding lugs (36) of a conveyor assembly (34). A forming die (38) pushes the blank (12) into the lugs (36) as the forming die (38), blank (12) and the lugs (36) move at a constant speed.

Abstract: The blanks (1) are withdrawn one after another from a storage part (20) by transfer means (21) and are disposed on the cylindrical support surface of a drum (3) driven rotatingly by portions of a revolution. Various processing operations are performed on the blanks either while the drum is rotating or while it is stopped, e.g., folding a flap (16), gluing this flap to a surface portion (15) of the blank, or printing a code (17) on part of the blank. The presence, correct positioning, and proper alignment of the blank on the drum are checked before the aforementioned operations are carried out. After they have been effected, the blank is withdrawn from the drum to be sent on to a packaging machine. The processing apparatus and method can be utilized on a line for processing boxes or the like, particularly cigarette boxes, just before they are assembled to receive their contents.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine for forming cardboard boxes. The principal feature is that the housing is square and consists of a supply tray, box-forming suction cup rocker arm assembly, four-joint tie bar folding assembly, rocker arm tie bar folding assembly, adjustable press plate assembly, side cover-forming plate, press setting assembly, adhesive sprayer and push plate. Cardboard boxes are formed in an automated manner and the bottom thereof is sealed automatically by means of synchronizing the movements of the components pertaining to the machine. Accordingly, the employment of the equipment pertaining to the present invention can bring about a reduction in operation costs and the floor space required.

Abstract: A box erector for erecting a box from a knock-down configuration into an open rectangular box is disclosed which includeds a frame (10) for an inventory section (20), a transfer section (22), a flap closure section (24), a taping section (26), and an exit section (28). A transfer arm (A) pivots to a pick-up position where a vacuum assembly (B) picks up a top box and pivots the top box to a box-opening position at approximately 79.degree. from the pick-up position. At the box-opening position, the box is rotated 45.degree. from its horizontal pick-up position, and first and second arms (78, 80) of vacuum assembly (B) open the box to a rectangular shape. Thereafter, the transfer arm moves the box to closure section (22). A drive belt (88) and drive pulleys (88a, 88b) rotate vacuum assembly (B) so that the box is vertically oriented when deposited at flap closure section (24).

Abstract: A packaging machine comprising a rotary body having blank bottom forming radial mandrels so arranged as to be successively stoppable at a plurality of process stations including a blank feed station, a feeder for fitting a tubular blank having a square or rectangular cross section around the mandrel stopping at the blank feed station to feed the blank to the mandrel, and a collector for collecting paper particles adhering to the blank to be fed by the feeder. The feeder has a pair of guide rails positioned on opposite sides of and extending in parallel to a phantom line extending outward from the mandrel stopping at the blank feed station. The collector has a tubular collecting cover enclosing the guide rails. The cover is formed with an air outlet covered with a filter. A suction device applies suction to the air outlet.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for folding boxes including suction heads disposed on a carrier and for holding the folding boxes by negative pressure. To enable adjusting the suction heads to a format of folding boxes to be manipulated, the suction heads have a plurality of cup-shaped suction devices, individual ones of which can be adjusted out of the working position into a position of repose and which can be blocked off from the negative pressure. To this end, the adjustable suction devices are mounted on necks displaceable in carriers, and the necks can be arrested in two positions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for the assembling of cuttings, more particularly for the production of packing boxes, of the type including a plurality of work places arranged along a main vacuum conveyor, the work places consisting mainly of a first margin stop system (8) with at least one stack loader (66) and one conveyor (9) intended to position a first cutting on said main conveyor, at least one gumming machine (10) designed to apply a film of glue on at least a portion of the first cutting and at least a second margin stop system (11) with a stack loader and a conveyor intended to position a second cutting on the first cutting.The main conveyor according to this invention is a linear horizontal type with at least one notched belt (2), guided in a slide (3) whose depth is slightly less than the thickness of the notched belt (2).

Abstract: A carton erector apparatus for setting up foldable carton blanks. The apparatus includes a carton blank storage section, a carton blank setup section and a bottom flap folding section. The carton setup section includes a carton opening assembly comprising a pivot arm assembly pivotally secured to a folding arm assembly. The pivot arm assembly is movable between first and second positions respectively parallel and perpendicular to the folding arm assembly. A first grasping device is secured to the pivot arm assembly to grasp a side panel of the forward carton in the carton blank storage section such that movement of the pivot arm assembly and the folding arm assembly into their second positions is effective to set up the carton blank into a tubular form. A second grasping device grasps an end panel of the setup carton and a third grasping device grasps the other side panel of the setup carton. Bottom flap folding assemblies are provided to infold the bottom flaps of the setup carton.

Abstract: A machine for receiving a handle strip from a dispenser, rotating the strip to align it with a predetermined location on a moving carton blank, and applying the strip to the blank. A vacuum head for gripping the strips is carried by an arm mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the moving blanks. The vacuum head is rotated through rotation of a pinion, which itself is rotated by a reciprocating rack. A cam follower mounted in a stationary cam causes the rack to reciprocate, thereby postively moving the rack in both directions.

Abstract: An applicator for applying elongated strip members to a moving member. The applicator is particularly adapted to apply handle assemblies to moving closure panels of containers such as cartons. Hot melt adhesive stripes are applied to the moving closure panel and thereafter a handle assembly is applied over the hot melt adhesive. The apparatus includes, in addition for moving containers at a uniform rate and spacing, a hopper overlying the path of movement, a picker device for periodically withdrawing a lowermost handle assembly from the hopper, and a combined guide and presser member for first receiving in guided relation an end of a withdrawn handle member remote from the picker device, and thereafter pressing the handle member against the adhesive strip beginning at the right end of the withdrawn handle assembly.

Abstract: In order to constitute means for reliably separating sheets positioned at the lowermost level in a magazine one by one, there are provided two stages of main and auxiliary side hooks which can be rocked in the direction for supporting the sheets and in the direction for releasing the same as operated inversely to the seam hooks, on the both left and right sides of the magazine so that the side hooks can be rocked in correlation with suction arms, each of the respective side hooks has its supporting position for the sheets made variable, and the side hooks are adjustably disposed so that the interval between the side hooks on the left and right sides of the magazine can be varied with the main and auxiliary side hooks on each side held integrally.

Abstract: A machine (10) for erecting article carriers (C) of the basket type comprises feeder assembly (34; 62) for withdrawing from a supply (20) and depositing the carriers in flat, folded condition one after the other in a feed path (F), flight bars for feeding (22) each carrier to an erecting station (E) at which means suction cups (96) are provided for moving apart opposite side walls of the carrier to bring it into set-up condition and locking arms (100) operable on a base panel (b) of the carrier to move the base panel into engagement with panel retaining elements (h) provided by the carrier, thereby to locate the base panel in a position in which it discourages collapse of the set-up carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing window patches from a web of patch material includes a mechanism for applying adhesive to selective portions of the web, a pair of cooperating rolls to feed the web to the adhesive applying mechanism, a vacuum roll engaging successive window patches with adhesive, a severing mechanism cutting successive window patches of a pre-selected length from the web in spaced relation to a portion of the web engaged to the surface of the vacuum roll, a vacuum conveyor positioned between the adhesive applying mechanism and the severing mechanism to advance the web along a path from the adhesive applying mechanism toward the severing mechanism, a discharging end portion of the vacuum conveyor being spaced from the severing mechanism. The vacuum conveyor is constructed and arranged to transport the web from the adhesive applying mechanism, a pre-selected distance through the vacuum roll before the web is transferred to the vacuum roll and from the latter to the severing mechanism.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for handling and setting up large slit-boxes of the type which is formed by a tubular slit-box blank (6) which is collapsed into a flat two layer blank and which comprises sides (7,8) with connected inner flaps (9) and outer flaps (10) respectively at at least one end of the slit-box. The slit-box is handled in a horizontal position by means of a catcher carriage (16) which is displaceable between a first position over a magazine for slit-box blanks (6) and second position for setting up the slit-box blanks. The carriage has a first set of catchers (17) to catch a first side (8) and its connected outer flaps (10) in the first layer of slit-box blanks and a second set of catchers (20) to catch the second side (7) in the upper layer of the slit-box blank. The said second side (7) is released so that the slit-box by its own weight moves to a more or less open position. The inner flap (9) of the released slit-box side (7) in then introduced into the space between the outer flaps (10).

Abstract: A carton magazine apparatus, carton feeder apparatus and carton loader apparatus for feeding and loading erected cartons, in pairs, on a pair of mandrels for forming the bottom end of the cartons. The carton magazine apparatus includes a pair of carton magazines disposed in side-by-side, spaced apart positions, with each of the carton magazines containing a plurality of flattened cartons. The carton feeder apparatus includes a pair of swingably mounted carton feeder arms, with one of the carton feeder arms being operatively disposed adjacent the carton discharge end of one of the magazines and the other carton feeder arm being operatively disposed adjacent the carton discharge end of the other magazine. The pair of carton feeder arms are operable to simultaneously withdraw a flattened carton from each of the carton magazines and move them into an erected tubular position in alignment with a pair of mandrels on a packaging machine.