Abstract: Methods for setting-up a female blanking die for a die cutting machine for die cutting and/or blanking a carton blank, and universal press frames for use in such setting-up are all provided herein. The first stages in the erection of the female blanking die, which includes a rectangular framework of a front rail, a rear rail and two side rails, involve accurate placement of a template within the rectangular framework. All the rails are provided with a dovetail groove along its inside edges. This is achieved by the use of centre line orientation cylinders on a template, a centre line rod through aligned holes in the centre line orientation cylinders and centre line brackets at the precise centre point of the front and the rear rails. The template is mounted atop the centre line brackets by means of the centre line rod and rests loosely on template corner locking clamps.

Abstract: A container manufacturing method and device. The container manufacturing method includes steps of mixing, board-making, molding, guiding/crimping and demolding. Lower protruding guide bodies are arranged along the circumference of the mold cavity of the lower mold seat of the container manufacturing device at intervals. Upper protruding guide bodies are arranged on the press board and aimed at the intervals between the adjacent lower guide bodies. In the step of guiding/crimping, when the press board is pressed down by an oil pressure cylinder, the interlaced upper and lower guide bodies clamp and press the circumference of the board body to form regular crimps thereon. Therefore, when the upper mold block presses the board body into the mold cavity, the material can be evenly distributed and flowed so that the wall of the molded container can have uniform thickness.

Abstract: A machine for container formation by folding a die-scored paperboard structure to close flaps shaped by the scoring that serve as the top and bottom of the container. A scored paperboard sheet is loaded onto a male pedestal inner pattern such that the foldable top and bottom container portions extend beyond the pattern, whereupon armature driven semicircular outer patterns, having upper and lower fingers adapted to be driven by corresponding fluid driven pin stabilizers, close upon the sheet. While closed over the sheet, the pins are activated to move the fingers inward on the inner pattern and force fold the container along the score lines, followed by automatic retraction of the pins and outer patterns. The container is thus pre-folded in preparation for shipping as a flat paper form that is ready for folding on the crease lines thus formed. One or both flaps of the container can be folded along the crease lines to form a closure at one or both ends.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a bag-in-carton using a forming jig to shape a side-sealed closed portion of the inner bag in accordance with the related shape of the carton. The forming jig helps form a bag-in-carton having an inner bag formed with high precision and constant volume, thus ultimately permitting good discharge of contents in the bag-in-carton with little content in the inner bag after discharge.

Abstract: A sun visor core for use with a vehicle includes a cardboard body having a formed recess for receiving a mirror. Advantageously, the recess may be configured so as to enable flush-mounting of the mirror. Preferably the body includes a plurality of inwardly extending side walls and at least one base portion that cooperate to define the recess. A method for manufacturing the sun visor core is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is used to form a container from a blank which has innermost fold lines that confine a closed bottom of the container, and outer fold lines that extend outwardly from four corners of the bottom. The apparatus includes a blank forming device which defines a forming passage of polygonal cross-section and having four corners. A blank feeding device is adapted to feed the blank towards the blank forming device in a first direction substantially parallel to the cross-section of the forming passage. A punching mechanism has a punch head of polygonal cross-section and capable of passing through the forming passage in a second direction transverse to the first direction. The punch head has a forward end formed with a polygonal push pad for pushing the blank through the forming passage.

Abstract: A tray forming apparatus and method are provided which advantageously increase the quality and production speed of tray type containers. The apparatus takes a precut paperboard blank through loading, forming, glueing, and compressing phases of operation to form a tray, which phases include conveying blanks from a stacked position to forming the blanks in a partially folded position, gluing using only a single pair of glueing heads for minor panels of the blank, and compressing the folded blank for securing the folds in a structural position sufficient for relying on the strength of the paperboard during the stacking of loaded trays.

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 machine for forming a variety of different sturdy, stackable three-part fiberboard containers having a depth dimension greater than their width dimension, and which are suitable for holding bags filled with liquid. The machine includes a slidable, removable mandrel which cycles between a fiberboard hopper area and a container forming compression area. Each of two side bins provides a fiberboard end panel which comes into contact with independently slidable edge picks on the mandrel. Just before the mandrel cycles forward, the edge picks push the fiberboard end panels forward where they are bent by the action of two folding elements. Meanwhile, a fiberboard body matt is brought into position in front of the retracted mandrel from an overhead feed unit. Adhesive material is sprayed onto selected parts of the body matt as it is placed into position in front of the mandrel.

Abstract: Automated apparatus for forming paperboard packaging from an integral paperboard blank includes a blade for gathering a central portion of the paperboard blank, causing the width of the blank to contract. A reciprocating mandrel rams the blank into a hollow tubular former having an opening of reduced size, causing portions of the blank to form side walls properly positioned with respect to a floor portion of the blank. Pistons within the mandrel apply pressure to overlapping portions of the formed blank, to seal those portions together.

Abstract: A flat-sitting bottom end closure for liquid filled, thermoplastic-coated paperboard containers, and mechanism for forming same. The mechanism includes an indexible rotor having a plurality of mandrels on which tubular container blanks are mounted, wherein each mandrel has an end cap defining a configuration which, in conjunction with a complementary pressure pad, produces four flat corner portions or pedestals on the container bottom end closure when confined between the pressure pad and each end cap.

Abstract: Process for erecting a folding carton from a single-piece board blank which has a base surface, to which side panels are hinged along folding lines, and a front and back panel, where flaps are provided on the side panels that are folded into the area of the front and back panels, and where at least sections of the blanks are coated with a sealable plastic. First of all the two side panels are erected by pressing the board blank into a U-shaped female tool. Rotating lugs fold in the flaps; the back and front panels are heated up to such an extent that the plastic coating is sealable, after which the back panel and the front panel and the flaps are pressed against each other and are sealed together.

Abstract: A liquid tight rectangular paperboard container (10) is provided with a separate opening tab (17) secured to the top panel (15) thereof which enables the package to be opened to provide a fully open top. In particular, an elongate plastic window (18c) is formed along the front fold line (15a) connecting the top and front panels (15 and 11) of the package, and has ends (18d, 18e) connected to spaced apart arcuate shaped perforated lines (18a, 18b) extending to the rear corners of the top panel. In the construction of the package, the opening tab (17) is first ultrasonically welded to the outside surface of the package blank, and then the window section (18c) is pressed against and welded to the inside surface of the tab. A slit (40) which is formed in the window enables any air trapped between the window and the tab to escape during the welding operation.

Abstract: A case, made from a sheet material such as cardboard or corrugated board, having rectangular lateral faces connected in twos by a fold line. The fold lines are parallel to each other. Such a case comprises at least five lateral faces. It may be obtained by wrapping a sheet material blank about a mandrel in cooperation with a pressure plate whose profile corresponds to that of two or three consecutive faces of the mandrel.

Abstract: A pressure pad is provided for bottom sealing of a gable carton. The pressure pad cooperates with a mandrel which is urged into an opened-top gable carton for sealing the carton bottom. The pressure pad is provided with a sealing bar matrix which is disposed thereon to register with at least selected raw edges of paperboard material on the carton bottom. Each sealing bar functions to compress the fibrous paperboard material from which the carton is formed to render the raw edges less likely to absorb liquids that may be wicked from the raw edges to other locations in the carton. The carton formed by the pressure pad is characterized by reduced thickness raw edges adjacent the bottom.

Abstract: A die cut and scored carton blank is formed into a carton. The carton blank is placed in a trough having a side wall and at least one retractable stop for turning upwardly elongate edge flaps of the carton blank, with the trough having two end walls for turning up end flaps of the carton blank. The partially-formed carton is then moved to a second position where it is lowered and horizontal glue strips are applied to an outer surface of an elongate edge flap. As the carton is moved toward the second position, glue strips are applied to end flaps of the carton blank. The partially-formed carton is then moved to an upper position, above the level of the trough, and into a compression chamber where side walls and end walls hold the flaps together until the glue hardens.

Abstract: A paper tray forming machine with an improved blank centering device which consists of at least one finger which is moved upward and toward two passive stops. The finger may be shaped similarly to the blank's edge so that precise positioning occurs during the motion of the fingers.

Abstract: A progammable, dynamically adjustable die stamping apparatus for die-stamping of cardboard blanks used in production of packaging trays is disclosed. The apparatus includes a dimensionally adjsutable die having a plurality of separate movable parts each coupled to threaded adjustment rods and drive motors; a programmable control is coupled to the drive equipment and can selectively adjust and lock the die parts to conform the die to any one of a plurality of cardboard blank formats. Plural air-operated lockable jacks coupled to movable members of a stamp are also provided, and the jacks operate to automatically adjust the stamp to conform to the selected dimensions of the die. The apparatus can accept plural magazines of cardboard blanks and a plurality of different blanks supplied successively; under program control, the apparatus can automatically change the dimensions of the die and stamp to conform to the desired dimensions of the finished tray.

Abstract: A programmable, dynamically adjustable die stamping apparatus for die-stamping of cardboard blanks used in production of packaging trays, and a process for operating such apparatus. The apparatus includes a dimensionally adjustable die having a plurality of separate movable parts each coupled to threaded adjustment rods and drive motors; a programmable control is coupled to the drive equipment and can selectively adjust and lock the die parts to conform the die to any one of a plurality of cardboard blank formats. Plural air-operated lockable jacks coupled to movable members of a stamp are also provided, and the jacks operate to automatically adjust the stamp to conform to the selected dimensions of the die. The apparatus can accept plural magazines of cardboard blanks and a plurality of different blanks supplied successively; under program control, the apparatus can automatically change the dimensions of the die and stamp to conform to the desired dimensions of the finished tray.

Abstract: In apparatus for the formation of a planar blank into a flanged container, vertically reciprocating breaker rods for engagement with peripheral edge panels of the blank for a downward breaking of the edge panels over fixed breaker blocks prior to an inward folding of the container walls. Horizontally reciprocating glue applicators deposit glue on the downwardly broken edge panels at portions thereof overlapping as the container is formed. The formed containers are sequentially fed into a forming chamber incorporating serrated wall-defining inner vertical surfaces which engage the flanges and retain the containers for progressive downward feeding. Vertically reciprocating setter bars engage and downwardly deflect the flanges of the chamber-received containers.

Abstract: A can-like container and a method for manufacturing such a container which provides a strong structure, tight gas barrier, and no effect upon the taste of food stored in the container. The body of the container is fabricated with a multi-layer sheet composed of a metal foil layer having a thickness of no more than 40 .mu.m and a hot-melt resin layer formed on one or both sides of the metal foil layer. The margin portions of the multi-layer material of the container body in corners thereof are either folded into two tucks at each corner or formed into vertical wrinkles upon molding the container body. A cover is joined to the container body, which cover is also composed of a metal foil layer and at least hot-melt resin layer.

Abstract: A rectangular tray-type carton formed from a blank of plastics-coated board has a peripheral flange for attachment of a closure lid. The flange is formed after the erection of the carton side wall in a punch and die arrangement, by folding down elongate panels carried along the free edges of the side wall and by subsequently joining the panels together at their ends by means of overlapping tabs which are heat-sealed together. In order to avoid damage to the tabs during formation of the side wall the uppermost tabs are folded out of the plane of the blank before it enters the punch and die arrangement.

Abstract: Various configurations of boxes of a corrugated or fiberboard material are manufactured by a machine and process in which scored marginal flaps of the preformed box blank material are laterally wrapped around forming mandrels of fingers to define corner and/or intermediate posts integral with a wall portion of the resulting box, with at least a portion of each flap laminated to the side wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a tapered, nestable leakproof container having a bottom wall integral with front and back panels and side panels and a triangular connecting panel between additional panels extending from the front and back panels and the side panels, wherein the apparatus comprises a die and a tapered mandrel for forcing a blank through the die. The container blank is positioned on a support immediately above the die and held in position by guides on the support. Before the tapered mandrel engages the blank, glue is applied to the outer edges of the side panels of the rear wall of the container at the inner surfaces adjacent the outer edges of side panels connected to the rear panel and at the inner surface adjacent the outer edges of the side panels. The blank is forced into the die by the tapered mandrel. Appropriate pressure rollers resist the entry of the mandrel and move outwardly as the mandrel moves into the die moving the blank into the die.

Abstract: A tray forming machine, including a programmable controller that controls: (a) the movement of tray blanks from a hopper (41) to a conveyor (73) that moves trays from a hopper station (31) through a glue station (33) to a mandrel station (35); (b) the application of glue to tray blanks (43) moved by the conveyor (73) through the glue station (33); and, (c) the formation of the tray blanks (43) into trays at the mandrel station (35), is disclosed. The programmable controller controls the operation of the tray forming machine in accordance with operator instructions, which include tray length, glue pattern length, margin distance and mandrel dwell time, plus on/off instructions regarding glue application and glue format (stitch or continuous). The readily changeable operator inserted instructions are entered via a control/display unit (135), which displays information about the function and changes being made when the instructions are being entered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for erecting from a single blank a carton having integral interior partitions. Blanks are supplied to the machine and, in three folding stations, are folded along score lines and cuts and then sealed to form the finished carton. Erection of the carton and provision of interior partitions is accomplished by a single machine in a continuous process.

Abstract: A flip-top box is folded from a one-piece skillet by bringing a contents retainer panel (R) into overlapping relationship with a front panel (C.sub.1); thereafter pressing the skillet into a rectangular opening of a die (70), to cause certain panels of the skillet to stand perpendicular to rear panels of the container and lid, folding portions of the skillet projecting from the die into a plane parallel spaced from the rear panel and causing other portions to enter the die; and pressing the partially folded skillet into a rectangular opening of a second die opposite the first die to fold down the outside panels of the box to complete the box formation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a stackable tray from a paperboard blank having a base panel, two pairs of wall panels attached to the base panel, adhesive coated gussets formed at the corners of the wall panels, and flanges formed along the outer edge of each wall panel. The tray forming apparatus includes a vertically reciprocating plunger having vacuum ports formed in its side walls, two pairs of flange folding fingers mounted on the plunger, a forming head including a cavity disposed beneath the plunger, and a stacking cage having flange retaining rails disposed beneath the cavity for receiving the trays after forming. The trays are formed as follows:A tray blank is first positioned over the forming cavity. The downwardly reciprocating plunger contacts the blank and urges it into the cavity causing the tray sidewalls to be erected and the adhesive coated gusset corners to be folded against adjacent side walls. The erected tray walls are retained on the plunger by the vacuum ports.

Abstract: Apparatus for adhesively bonding a clam-shell type carton formed from a paperboard blank includes a carton forming die for receiving the paperboard blank, a movable frame for transferring the carton blank from a stack into registration over the die and a reciprocating plunger mounted above the die for forcing the carton blank into the die to fold and erect the carton. The movable frame includes a number of vacuum assisted suction cups for lifting the carton blank from the stack and a plurality of spring-loaded adhesive applicators, connected to a pressurized source of adhesive, for applying a spot of adhesive to selected portions of the carton blank when the blank, carried by the movable frame, is pressed into registration over the forming die.