Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a board box by performing a box-making process of a corrugated board sheet which is formed to have dimensions of a plurality of board boxes wherein the yield of the board sheet and the production efficiency are enhanced and a countermeasure can be taken against paper powder.

Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing a partially formed carton is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed to the machine. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing a partially formed carton is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed to the machine. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.

Abstract: A folding unit for corrugated board sheets (18) in in-line manufacturing of corrugated board boxes, comprising a pair of parallel and laterally displaceable folding beams (1, 2) with a respective endless conveyor belt (3, 4), which extend from the inlet (19) of the folding unit to a pair of rolls (14) at the outlet (20) of the folding unit. A pair of folding rules (6) are arranged under the respective folding beams (1, 2) and extend from the inlet (19) of the folding unit and towards, but not all the way to, the outlet (20) of the folding unit. A pair of folding bars (33, 34) which are fixedly positioned outside the respective folding rules (6) and at an angle to the respective folding rules are arranged in the front portion of the folding unit, as seen in the transport direction (15) of the corrugated board sheets (18).

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a bag with a mouth member by liquidtightly melt-bonding a mouth member comprising a thermoplastic resin and a bag unit comprising a relatively soft flexible film, in which uniform surface temperature of the mouth member is realized, generation of an A-shaped gap is prevented, and a bag with a mouth member excellent in the liquidtightness of the melt-bonded part between the mouth member and the bag unit is produced; and also a production apparatus therefor is provided. The method comprises a preheating step of heating a tubular mouth member while rotating it around the cylinder axis thereof, and a melt-bonding step of inserting the heated mouth member into the opening part of a bag unit and pressing, and thereby melt-bonding the mouth member to the opening part of the bag unit.

Abstract: A folding box gluing machine has a folding station in which portions of blanks provided with a glue strip are folded, and a subsequent transfer station which includes as a conveyor mechanism at least two pairs of conveying straps, each including an upper and a lower strap, and having a device for achieving the sideways removal of defective boxes arranged on the outside next to one pair of conveying straps. The upper conveying strap on at least one lengthwise side in the transfer station is supported in one region of its conveying path by support rollers, which are secured to a bearing plate, which is mounted with its lower edge tilted inward relative to a perpendicular plane and can move upward to a limited extent, and a guide baffle is secured on the inside next to the support rollers and extends upward from the inner edge of the upper conveying strap and is angled in the direction of the other pair of conveying straps.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing packaging blanks includes an applying device, a first conveyor, and a second conveyor. The first conveyor conveys the blanks at a first velocity arranged to permit the application of an adhesive to the blanks by means of the device. The second conveyor is arranged to receive the blanks from the first conveyor and convey them at a second velocity which is greater than the first velocity resulting in a change in the pitch of the stream of blanks conveyed by the conveyors. Alternatively the applying means may apply an adhering element such as a coupon or hologram such that it adheres to the blank. The adhering element may adhere to the blank by virtue of an adhesive carried on a rear surface of the element or by means of an adhesive carried by the blank.

Abstract: A box with gusseted corners includes a plurality of walls each connected to and extending generally upright from a base wall thereby forming the box and a plurality of corner gussets each extending between and strengthening adjacent walls. Each corner gusset includes a gusset corner formation (GCF) wall section foldably connected to and extending from one of the walls, the GCF wall section having a first fold extending generally parallel with the foldable connection to the one of the walls, the first fold dividing the GCF wall section into an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion extending generally perpendicular from the wall and the upper portion angled towards the wall to form an acute angle therebetween. Finally, the upper portion includes a glue flap section adapted for adhesive connection to the wall such that the upper portion and the lower portion of the GCF wall section cooperate with the wall to form one of the corner gussets.

Abstract: A process for making prefastened and refastenable garments includes providing a plurality of discrete articles with mating fastening components disposed in the waist regions. First fastening components are separated from one another by an initial transverse distance. The waist region containing the first fastening components is modified to transversely displace these fastening components to a post displacement distance that is not equal to the initial distance. The process allows for convenient alignment of the fastening components to form refastenable seams.

Abstract: A packaging container production method includes the steps of: folding a folding allowance formed along one edge of a blank, which is formed from a paper substrate and having a predetermined shape, to thereby form a seal allowance; and superposing the seal allowance and another edge of the blank on each other and longitudinally sealing the resultant overlap portion to thereby form a tubular body. In the folding step, the folding allowance is pressed against a running folding belt to thereby fold the folding allowance. Since the folding belt is used instead of a die in order to fold the folding allowance, even when the thickness, water content, hardness, and other properties of a paper substrate vary among the blanks, the folded state of the folding allowance can be stabilized through adjustment of the position of a pulley. Thus, the quality of packaging containers can be improved.

Abstract: A sleeve-type half package is closed by applying two beads of glue on each of two flaps on each end of the sleeve, folding those flaps inwardly by engagement with a nonglued strip between the beads and then folding the other two flaps at each end inwardly to engage a bead of glue on each of the two first-folded flaps at each end. The folding is done by thrust members as the half package is displaced linearly along a transport path.

Abstract: A box with gusseted corners includes a plurality of walls each connected to and extending generally upright from a base wall thereby forming the box and a plurality of corner gussets each extending between and strengthening adjacent walls. Each corner gusset includes a gusset corner formation (GCF) wall section foldably connected to and extending from one of the walls, the GCF wall section having a first fold extending generally parallel with the foldable connection to the one of the walls, the first fold dividing the GCF wall section into an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion extending generally perpendicular from the wall and the upper portion angled towards the wall to form an acute angle therebetween. Finally, the upper portion includes a glue flap section adapted for adhesive connection to the wall such that the upper portion and the lower portion of the GCF wall section cooperate with the wall to form one of the corner gussets.

Abstract: A gluing machine has, for transporting the blanks therethrough a roller belt mounted upon a roller cheek and an upper belt mounted upon a roller rail, both the roller cheek and roller rail being shiftable transversely to the direction in which the blanks are conveyed through the machine. The roller cheek is coupled to the roller rail by an endless cable or belt which has a lower loop extending transversely below the roller cheek and an upper loop above the roller rail. The roller cheek is rigidly connected to one strand of the lower loop while one strand of the upper loop is clamped to the roller rail.

Abstract: A slitter machine of the type where tab lock cases of varying height, width, and length are advanced therethrough in a product flow direction on a machine bed by a main drive motor, is presented. The slitter machine includes a frame, a centerline, a leading flap lifter and a trailing flap lifter. The leading flap lifter and trailing flap lifter are mounted are mounted to the frame on opposite sides of the centerline, and extend at an incline relative to the machine bed. Each flap lifter includes a tear drop assembly attached to a drive chain and actuated by a pair of cams to rotate the leading flap and the trailing flap toward a closed position. A chain track is disposed in each of the flap lifting assemblies, with the drive chains disposed therein. Each chain track has a first section having a first distance between the drive chains and a second section having a second distance between the drive chains. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: This retractable central conveyor (1) being used in a folder-gluer converting plate-like workpieces such as paper or cardboard for producing packagings. Such a folder-gluer comprises two frames between which are arranged two lateral conveyors (100, 110), the conveying means of which being belts (101, 111). The conveyor of the present invention comprises a structure consisting of four associated components (4, 5, 8, 11) which are transversely movable between the frames of the folder-gluer with respect to the travelling direction of said plate-like workpieces. Among these components of this structure, an upper longitudinal bar (4) can easily be manually lowered, in a vertical slanted movement, from a working position to a retracted position, and inversely raised by independent damping means (15).

Abstract: A machine for folding materials is disclosed in which the portion of the material is engaged and folded by a rotary cam such that the surface of the portion is engaged and not the edges of the portion. In the preferred embodiment, creasing rollers are positioned along the fold line above the rotary cam folders such that the fold is made very accurately.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a folding machine for folding the side flaps flanking the middle section of a foldable cardboard blank. For this purpose in the frontal area of the folding machine auxiliary folding devices are arranged. In addition turning belts for the inward tilting of the side flaps can be arranged, which are provided with projections insuring that the side flaps are swung parallelly to their folding grooves.

Abstract: An improved horizontally-oriented machine capable of forming a trays or other similar fiberboard containers from single blanks. The improved machine includes three distinct sections: (1) a loading bay which includes a vertical lift, a sheet feeders and a unique set of gates for pre-positioning the end flaps of container blanks for later folding; (2) an adhesion and flap-folding section which includes adhesive applicators, a series of folding plows and a compression area for pre-folding the end flaps of the container to be formed; and (3) a final forming section including an adjustable vertically mounted mandrel surrounded by adjustable forming plows for making the final container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a gusseted container, which method includes the steps of feeding unfolded, corrugated paper, die cut blanks sequentially from the feed module of a corrugated paper box folding apparatus through the prefold, fold and final fold modules, applying glue to the die cut blanks, creasing three gusset areas of the blanks, gathering and pleating the gusset areas, folding a panel tab against the adjacent blank panel, pressing the folded gussets and panel tab against the glue on the blanks and folding the blanks and panel tab to define the gusseted container.

Abstract: A device for folding paperboard blanks, the device including folding rails for supporting the blanks traveling through the device which define a path of travel for the blanks and a conveyor for conveying the blanks through the device. The device further includes a first operator side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end, a second operator side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end and aligned with the first operator side helix folding assembly, a first drive side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end, and a second drive side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end and aligned with the first drive side helix folding assembly. Actuators are connected to the ends of each second helix folding assembly for translating the ends either toward and away or above and below the blank path. A servo motor having a resolver may be connected to each helix folding assembly for rotating it to fold the blanks.

Abstract: An envelope blank is conveyed by a transport system in an envelope making machine to a folding mechanism that folds one or more flaps of the blank. In folding a side flap, the leading edge of the blank adjacent to the score line is conveyed along a convex face of a plowshare. The plowshare face applies at the leading edge of the blank adjacent to the score line a force which bends the side flap through an angle of 180.degree. to a position where the flap is folded to overlap the blank. A crease is formed on the score line to permanently set the flap on the blank. The folding of the flap is initiated by the convex face of the plowshare. Extending from the upper edge of the plowshare face is a grid-like network of flexible rods mounted to follow the helical path of the plowshare face. The free edge portion of the flap is supported by the grid to follow the flap leading edge being folded by the plowshare.

Abstract: A vastly improved folder/gluer is disclosed. This folder/gluer: is much more reliable, produces better folds, runs faster, and can be modified much easier, than prior art folder/gluers. These features are achieved by using a vacuum conveyor with overhead folding elements. Furthermore, the top of the article to be folded is never touched by another conveyor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for sealing cartons. Cartons are conveyed past one or more sealing bars which yieldingly apply pressure to a sealing area thereof. The bars are adjustable to a predetermined pressure by adjusting the length of the spring between the bars and a base. The bars are, therefore, preferably spring biased.

Abstract: An apparatus for infolding and sealing the side and end bottom flaps of a carton includes a unique bottom side flap infolding system comprising flap infolding arms mounted to rotary cylinders for automatically infolding and supporting the bottom side flaps. The rotary cylinders are actuated by a sensor which senses the presence or absence of a carton in the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a unique assembly comprising downwardly inwardly inclined rollers mounted to the conveyor side arm assemblies to urge the carton downward toward the lower sealing head to assure a complete and continuous bottom seal. The apparatus may also include transversely adjustable guardrails, a hold down flange to maintain the carton against the packing plate and a carton urging assembly for urging the carton through the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and device for bending the end tabs of blanks for producing rigid flip-top cigarette packets. The blanks are loaded on a conveyor and are fed continuously along a path with the end tabs slidably engaged in a helical slit, which is in part defined by facing helical surfaces of first and second helical guide elements. The blanks wind over an arc of 180.degree. for bending the end tabs in a U and enabling the bent end tabs to be fed between two pressure rollers of a stabilizing unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding blanks particularly those constructed from corrugated cardboard. As a blank advances along a paper line pathway, a first station engages the leading edges of the blank flaps and forces the flaps into an intermediate plane. A second station controls the relative velocity of the flaps along the paper line with respect to the panels to compensate for skew that can occur at other stations. A final station completes the folding operation. The second station includes driven rollers that engage opposite sides of each of the flaps. Independently controlled motors drive these rollers in response to the velocity of the blanks along a paper line pathway and any required offset for skew compensation. The controls can be remotely located from the station. Moreover, the station can accommodate blanks of different thicknesses, position the rollers at different locations on different flaps and accommodate cartons with different widths.

Abstract: A carton folding apparatus which is characterized by multiple folder/gluer modules, including a feed module for receiving and delivering unfolded cartons, prefold/fold, fold and final fold modules for effecting specified folding and gluing operations, a delivery module for completing the folding operations and further including a stacker unit for receiving and stacking the folded and glued cartons. Each of the folder/gluer modules is capable of being removed from the apparatus line and is characterized by separate, independently driven upper and lower belt feed mechanisms for driving the cartons through that module.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for folding flaps onto panels formed in folded box blanks, particularly those constructed from corrugated cardboard. As a blank advances along a paper line, a first station engages leading edges of the flaps and forces the flaps into an intermediate plane representing a partial folding operation. Then a second station controls the relative velocities of the flaps along the paper line with respect to the panels to compensate for skew that can occur in other stations. A final station completes the folding operation. The resulting fold is made about an axis, or fold line. if the flap is to be folded about a prestamped score line, the fold and score lines are coextensive. Typically the flaps are folded 180.degree. and the first station produces intermediate folds that are displaced 90.degree. from the panels.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for folding flaps onto panels formed in folded box blanks, particularly those constructed from corrugated cardboard. As a blank advances along a paper line, a first station engages leading edges of the flaps and forces the flaps into an intermediate plane representing a partial folding operation. Then a second station controls the relative velocities of the flaps along the paper line with respect to the panels to compensate for skew that can occur in other stations. A final station completes the folding operation. The resulting fold is made about an axis, or fold line. If the flap is to be folded about a prestamped score line, the fold and score lines are coextensive. Typically the flaps are folded 180.degree. and the first station produces intermediate folds that are displaced 90.degree. from the panels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a folding device in a corrugated cardboard box making machine which is capable of adapting to a thickness of a corrugated cardboard sheet by regulating a space between a folding belt and an upper guide, and also capable of accurately making folding width of the corrugated cardboard sheet by regulating the position of a gauge belt. Having main transporting means for simultaneously positioning the folding belt, upper guide and gauge belt, the device is provided with an upper guide transporting means for independently regulating the position of the upper guide and a gauge belt transporting means for independently regulating the position of the gauge belt. The device is further provided with a control means for controlling the drive means and the gauge belt transporting of the upper guide transporting means.

Abstract: An aligning device including an upward straightening appliance consisting of a row of levers equipped with rollers, said levers being mounted for pivoting around a horizontal axis relative to a base member, said base member being mounted for pivotable movement around a vertical axis on a longitudinally extending member, each of the base members being connected by a flexible member to a corner piece shiftable relative to the longitudinally extending member to cause pivoting of all of the base members around their vertical axes, a lower straightening appliance consisting of a driven endless belt supported on rollers arranged vertically aligned to the axes of the upper rollers, an arrangement for biasing the upper rollers against a blank carried on said belt and a lengthwise aligning rail adjustably positioned relative to the upper and lower straightening appliances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of folded paper boxes with a hemmed seal. One of two edges to be overlapped is skived and folded into a hem. After the edges are locally heated, blanks move individually and successfully along a conveyor for folding and sealing. Just before sealing, the hemmed edge passes between a hem holder and the conveyor to maintain the hemmed edge. The hem holder is heated to prevent the edges from cooling. In one embodiment hot air directed onto the hem from the hem holder forms an air cushion between the hem and the hem holder thereby to minimize any contact between the hem holder and the blank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for packaging a fragile product (8) in a folding carton (19), the problem being to carry out the forming of the folding carton blank (1), the filling of the carton (19) and the closing of the carton (19) automatically in a continuous movement without damaging the fragile product (8). To solve this problem, the invention proposes transporting the folding carton blank (1) in a constant direction, involving initial partial pre-forming of the blank (1), which is then filled with the product (8) and closed with overlapping (12) lid flaps (5), after which the filled blank (1,19) is turned through 90.degree. around a vertical axis and is subsequently closed in a continuous forward movement.

Abstract: The automatic machine comprises a magazine, dispensing die-cuts pre-creased longitudinally with fold lines providing divisions between at least four side panels and a securing flap, suckers by which the die-cuts are picked up from the magazine, and a revolver with radial grippers. In addition, use is made of a conveyor by which the die-cut is transferred forcibly from the suckers to the revolver and bent into U-shape at the same time, and the jaws of each gripper incorporate suction passages emerging along the edges parallel to and farthest from the axis of rotation of the revolver, which firmly withstand the action of first and second folders used to press down the securing flap and the end panel; thus, the die-cut is positively handled and conveyed during its entire passage through the machine.

Abstract: A machine or machine section for squaring folded container blanks has a conveyor for conveying slotted and partially folded container blanks. A folding device completes folding of each container blank while being conveyed by the conveyor. A gauge plate is inserted in a slot in each of the slotted and partially folded container blanks. A mechanism moves the gauge plate in timed sequence with the conveyor, inserts the gauge plate in the slot before completion of folding of the respective blank in order to "square" the folded blank, and then withdraws the gauge plate from the slot. Overlapping flaps of each folded blank may be tacked together during "squaring" by drops of hot melt adhesive which subsequently hold the flat folded blanks square while the conventional slow drying water soluble glue dries. The "squaring" arrangement may be incorporated in a conventional gluer/folder machine.

Abstract: A device for closing the upper lateral flaps of long parallelepiped cases includes a pair of helical guides with a reduced longitudinal length and a pair of extension arms controllable so that they may be displaced from an at rest position to an operating position. In the latter position the two arms are arranged as an extension of the helical guides towards the inlet to the device so as to force the lateral flaps of the case to accomplish the closing engagement with the helices.

Abstract: In a method and a device for producing bags wrapped in a carton, carton blanks are fed to a first conveyor in which a square tubular half-finished carton is produced which is fed to a second conveyor wherein the half-finished carton is formed into a box-like shaped carton, into which a bag made of film in a bag making apparatus is inserted. The bag wrapped with carton is then filled with a product to be packed and sealed.

Abstract: In a folding device for flexible sheet material, a plurality of longitudinally in-line sheet contactor members (1a-23a), called contactors, are provided, each of which are controllably pivotally movable about a pivot axis (113) so as to collectively pivot a sheet (102) about its score line (110). The contactors are controlled so that they have a successive undulating wave action and are formed in sets including a sheet infeed set (121) and a sheet discharge set (123), with an intermediate set (122) disposed therebetween. All of the contactors in the various sets are arranged to have a fixed "at rest" position from which they move. Under the influence of a control device (1b-23b), the contactors individually and pivotally move through varying angles from their respective at rest positions to contact and fold the sheet. The incremental angular displacement of each contactor is such that the leading edge of a sheet progressing from one contactor station to the next downstream station will not be distorted.

Abstract: The machine consists of a first flow line which conveys box blanks from feed station to a box-filling station, a second flow line for products, leading to a third station where the products are collated to form groups which are then transferred to the box-filling station where they are inserted into the boxes, and finally a third line which carries the boxes made at this latter station, each boxes containing a group of products, to a fourth station where the boxes are completed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic paper folding apparatus and method for folding cut sheet paper products, whether single sheets or multiple plies as in a "signature" that is already folded by a printing press. The apparatus of the invention contains at least one pair of opposed belts which continuously grip the products and carry then through the apparatus. At least one set of freely rotatable rollers is arrayed along the direction of travel. Each belt has a flat paper-gripping surface, a longitudinal groove on the opposite surface that receives a guide roller, and at least one side surface that slopes away from the folding line. Each roller has a conical forming surface. The angle of inclination of the conical surfaces of the rollers in a set increases incrementally along the direction of travel.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for supplying wrapping elements (2, 57) comprising elongate portions of card (2) having a series of zones (6, 7, 8, 9), separated by transverse creases (a, b), and flaps (10) defined by creases (c) disposed longitudinally to the card (2). The apparatus comprises a first mechanism (14) and a second mechanism (50) for continuously transfering the pieces of card (2) which are orientated transversely to the path of the first mechanism and longitudinally with respect to the path of the second mechanism. The apparatus also comprises folding elements (42, 43, 46, 47, 55, 56) located along the paths of the two transfer mechanisms (14, 50) arranged to fold the zones (6, 7, 8, 9) and flaps (10) about the creases defining them out of a planar condition and subsequently to fold them back to cause them to return to the original coplanar condition. The pre-creased blanks so formed can be readily wrapped by conventional wrapping machines round soft articles (68) e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading articles into trays where the articles are first separated into rows with a divider assembly, then separated into groups with a grouper assembly and then pushed onto a dead plate to form a load. Different divider and grouper assemblies are provided to make different load configurations. A tray blank is moved under the dead plate and pushed out from under the dead plate synchronously with the movement of the article load over the dead plate so that the article load is deposited on the tray blank. Thereafter, the flaps on the tray blank are folded to erect the tray around the group of articles. Mechanical folding mechanisms are provided to fold certain of the flaps on the tray without folding the other flaps. The method of loading the articles in the tray and forming the tray around the articles is also disclosed.

Abstract: In the erection of rectangular tray-type cartons from blanks of foldable sheet material, corner tabs which are to be uppermost in the erected carton are first folded up from the plane of the blank, which is then passed through a die by a punch to form the side wall. On completion of the stroke of the punch, the pair of opposed elongate panels which carry the uppermost tabs are folded outwardly by folding bars carried by the punch. The partially erected carton is then transferred to a continuously moving conveyor and the other pair of elongate panels are folded outwardly by oscillating fingers and plough bars. The upstanding tabs are then heated by travelling hot air jets and pressed down by pressure rollers to seal them to the other tabs and complete the horizontal peripheral flange which extends continuously around the carton.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for erecting a carton having laminated corner structures. A multi-sectioned corner flap is folded progressively between an outer guide in the form of a longitudinal row of rollers and a spiraling row of conical rollers that accurately pinches a bent corner edge of the corner flap structure against the end panel to which it is joined in the carton blank. Surface-to-surface contact between the glued portions of the corner flap and the end panel is prevented until the folding action has been accurately completed.

Abstract: Sheet-folding machine, especially for packaging cases made of corrugated cardboard, after they have been produced and printed.It incorporates advancing (10) and folding (22) belts which are maintained at the exact cycle of the machine by means of pulleys (14) provided with recentering fingers (15). The conveyor belts are provided with suction elements (19), and the folding belts are provided with push-studs (25) arranged to correspond to the turned-down portions (5) to be folded.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic paper folding apparatus and method for folding cut sheet paper products, whether single sheets or multiple piles as in a "signature" that is already folded by a printing press. The apparatus of the invention contains at least one pair of opposed belts which continuously grip the products and carry them through the apparatus. At least one set of freely rotatable rollers is arrayed along the direction of travel. Each belt has a flat paper-gripping surface, a longitudinal groove on the opposite surface that receives a guide roller, and at least one side surface that slopes away from the folding line. Each roller has a conical forming surface. The angle of inclination of the conical surfaces of the rollers in a set increases incrementally along the direction of travel. As the belts carry the sheets through the apparatus, they each engage the conical surface to fold the sheet against a belt with no substantial degree of relative movement between the sheets and either the belts or rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening flattened cartons having a pair of minor flaps and a pair of major flaps. A constant speed conveyor carries a horizontally disposed flattened carton across an actuator having a cam surface. The cam surface moves upward to fold one pair of major and minor flaps upward and then downward to fold the other pair of major and minor flaps downward. A clamp grasps the upward folded major flap and draws it upward as the conveyor moves the carton forward causing the carton to open. The clamp releases the major flap and the carton moves past a glue gun which applies glue to the minor flaps. A pair of curl bars folds the major flaps against the glue coated minor flaps. An extending platen presses the flaps against a roller bank permitting the glue to set. The platen retracts and the opened and bottom-sealed carton is completed.

Abstract: A right angle folder gluer of the type having a pair of pressure nip rolls at the end of the first folding section and mechanism for transferring each individual and successive blank delivered from the nip into the transfer zone at right angles into the second folding zone, in a direction parallel to the axis of the nip has apparatus for preventing inadvertent re-entry of the blank into the nip during transfer in the form of sharp pointers riding on the upper surface of the blank in rear of the nip to slightly embed therein and unyieldably prevent re-entry while yieldably enabling movement of the blank in the transfer zone in the direction of the second folding section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding a flat container blank about parallel score lines to bring a glue flap on the blank into juxtaposed relationship with respect to a side panel of the blank. Gripping mechanisms are associated with an intermittently operated conveyor means for pulling a blank past a glue applying station, into the folding station, and into a compressing station where the manufacturers' joint is set. Release means is provided for opening the gripping mechanisms downstream of the compressing station, and a following set of gripper mechanisms push the freed blank from the machine. Further conveyor means may be associated with the apparatus for feeding a liner to the blank to produce a laminated folded and glued blank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a hinged or clamshell type carton from a paperboard blank includes a feed conveyor for transferring the blank to a forming die. A hinge erecting conveyor is provided in the feed conveyor guide path to erect the hinge. A pair of pusher fingers form a shuttle conveyor in the guide path cooperating to transfer the partially erected blank to the die. Side channel guides arranged along the conveyor guide path maintain the partially erected paperboard blank in alignment with the erecting conveyor. Side channel guide extensions converge to maintain contacting engagement with the blank as selected carton panels converge during hinge formation and to support the blank in contacting registration on the face of the die and in the forming head path. A hinge gathering guide with hold down rails positioned above the erecting conveyor accurately locates and positions the carton blank and hinge.