Патент USA US2612826

Oct. 7, 1952
F_ E, B|¢KFÓRD
2,612,822
PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE
Filed April 1, 19443;’
'I sheets-sheet 1
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ATTORNEYS
Oct 7, 1952
F. E. elem-'ORD
2,612,822
PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE
Filed April l, 1944
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INVENTOR
REDERIC‘K E. BICKFORD
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ATTORNEYS
Oct. 7, 1952
F, E, BlCKFORD
2,612,822
PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE
Filed April l, 1944
7 Sheets-Sheet 3
INVENTOR
FREDERICK ¿Ble/#URD
ATTORNEYS
Oct. 7, 1952
F. E. BlcKFoRD
2,612,822
PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE
7 Sheets-Sheet 4
Filed April 1, 1944
‘TwNw.mdOW
l NVE NTOR
FREûER/C‘K E. BICKFORD
ATTORNEYS
Oct. 7, 1952
- F. E. alcKFoRn
2,612,822
PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE
Filed April 1, 1944
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INVENTOR
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ATTORNEYS
Oct. 7, 1952
2,612,822
vF. E. JalcKFoRD
PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE
7 Sheets-Shee‘îl 6
Filed April l, 1944
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INVENTOR
FREDERIC/f ¿5MM-‘URD
ATTORNEYS
Oct. 7, 1952
F. E. BICKFORD
2,612,822
PACKAGE FORMING vMACHINE
'7 Sheets-Sheet 7
Filed April l, 1944
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FREßEß/CK E BIC/(FORD
ATTORNEYS
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Patented Óct. 7, i952
UNITED STATES
A'i‘iâ'i' @FFME
2,612,822
racimos romaine `Maderas
Frederick E. Bicki‘ord, Rye, N‘. Y.
application Amai 1, 194i, serial No. 529,066
y
9 Claims.
(ci. 93-51)
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2
second asy the cover `for a package.
The present invention relates to a packaging
.
Moreover,
the present machine diiîers from that of thepat
machine and particularly rto avmachine generally
similar to that of Patent No. 2,147,632 of Febru
ary 21, i939, as modiñed by Patent No. 2,265,024,
issued December 2, 1941. The machine as de-r
scribed in that patent formed a package from a
sheet of cellulose acetate or other thin, iiexible
material of like character in the following
ì
ent above mentioned as well as from the machine
discussed in my prior Patent No. 2,147,632 oi
_ February 2l, 1939,- as to the driving mechanism
provided and also with respect to the means for
assuring the application of vacuum to the'link/
structure. Additionally, the machine of the pres
ent invention may be provided with a link struc
manner.
.
A sheet of material, the width of which was 10 ture having top plates in duplicate so that two
packages may undergo the same formative steps
equal to the width of the base plus twice the
lat the same time.
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height of a package to be formed plus an amount
It is an object of the invention to provide mech
for cover flaps, was taken from a reel and passed
anism for forming trays and applying them to
through a mechanism which caused longitudinal
reinforcing strips to be adhered to the original 15 sheets iof cellulose acetate or the like in such man
ner as to become the ends of a package.
sheet relatively near the margin thereof and spe-V
It is another object of the invention to provide
cifically along the lines where the bases and sides
mechanism for applying the formed trays to a
were to _join in the iinal packages, the longitudi
sheet of cellulose acetate or other flexible ma
nal strip forming reinforcing for the sides of the
packages. Following this, transverse reinforcing 20
tray-like structures were caused to >be adhered to
the original sheet between and at right angles
to the longitudinal reinforcing strips at spaced
points corresponding to the length of a package.
terial.
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It is a still further object of the invention to
provide a mechanism in which trays may be made
in such manner that two of these trays taken
together may form a complete package.
It is a further object of the invention to lproe
Thereafter, the tray-like structures were cut
vide means whereby two packages may undergo
along their` center lines and the underlying sheet
the same Vformative steps simultaneously on a
out at the same time, the sheet being also cut
single machine.
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along the ends of the tray-like structures. Sub
It isa still further object of the invention to
sequently the half trays were rotated about their
edges to form ends of the package trays and there 30 provide an improved driving mechanism for the
moving links of a. chain type of packaging and
after the longitudinally reinforced edges of the
package forming machine, whereby variation in
sheet were folded upwardly and caused to adhere
the link spacing is provided for.
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to the corners formed by the reinforcing half
It is a still further object of the invention to
trays. Following this the completed trays were
provide an improved link` structure comprising a
ñlled, if desired, and then a cover sheet wa-s fed
from a drum above a steel tongue which extended 35 new form of contactïs'hoefor the vacuum tube
andan improved connection thereirom to the top
over a number of packages. This tongue was held
plate for such a` machine which together'assures
upwardly (against rollers) by magnetic means so
that there be no less of the suction applied to the
that it formed a support against which the side
iiaps were folded downwardly and adhered to
the edges of the cover sheet.
The present invention, as has been stated, con
moving links thereof.
40
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Figure 1 is a fragmentary cross sectional View
of a package forming and packaging machine
showing means for forming and applying end
templates a machine generally similar to that
trays to a sheet of cellulose acetate or the like and
described above but dilïerent in some respects;
showing also the mode of applying vacuum to the
one of these is that the present machine not only
has means for placing and adhering reinforcing 45 moving links of the package forming machine on
which a' sheet of cellulose acetate to which the
end trays to the base sheet'bu't also provides a
trays are applied is registered. This View like
means for fabricating such trays from cellulose
wise shows an improved mode of constructing the
acetate, or other moldable sheet material. The
links of a moving chain to assure the application
trays formed from cellulose lacetate by the means
of suction to the cellulose acetate with substan->
50
disclosed in this application may not only be used
tially no loss 'of suction during transmission. in
to form reinforcing ends for packages but in ad
this figure poppet valves are shown (with a helical
dition trays made on this mechanism may be
cam shaft for actuation thereof) and‘itis evi-'
used to form complete packages. This would be
accomplished by utilizing two trays of slightly
different dimensions, one as the base and the
dentthey are required only'when the links are
spaced apart and are not needed when shoes abut
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end to end; since the pump capacity may be in
creased to care for the slightly increased leakage
resulting therefrom.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the tray
forming mechanism of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the tray forming
mechanism.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross section of
half of the mechanism of Figure 3 taken on
plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross section of
half of the mechanism of Figure 3 taken on
one
the
one
the
plane of the line 5_5 of Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a plan view of a strip of cellulose
acetate or like moldable material from which
the trays are formed. This view shows the strip
after holes and slots have been punched therein
and score lines have been made thereon to aid in
the formation of the tray. As hereafter will
4
tioned, it is fed to the links I0 of a moving chain
on which the material is registered in proper
position by the application of vacuum through
the passages of the links. The links are then ad
vanced to a position such as that shown in Fig
ure l of the drawings in which each of three chain
links lies -beneath the mechanism for forming and
applying reinforcing ends to the longitudinally
reinforced strip.
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With the links stationary (as they periodically
are due to a suitable driving mechanism as for
example a Geneva movement or the like) in the
position speciñed reinforcing tray-like members
generally designated II are applied transversely
to the sheet between the ñrst and second and the
second and the third links. The mechanism for
making and applying these tray-like reinforcing
members is shown in Figures 1 through 5 and
comprises two portions one of which is a mold
appear these lines and punchings can be formed
and the other a plunger. The plunger mecha
in the strip either in the present machine or in a
nism serves not only to form the reinforcing trays
separate machine as is preferable.
but also to apply these trays when formed to the
Figure 7 is a top plan view showing a section of
base sheet. This plunger member is identical
the strip as it appears after the first operation
with the similar member of the patent above
performed thereon in the machine of this inven 25 mentioned but has the additional function of
tion, that is to say after it has been perforated
acting in cooperation with the mold to form the
along center line and cut from the length of
trays from a blank of cellulose acetate or other
strip supplied to the machine.
moldable sheet material.
Figure 8 shows the strip o_f Figure 7 after the
Although, as has been stated, the plunger mem
sides and ends have been bent up and areV in 30 ber is identical with that shown in my above
position to have the end flaps bent over and ad
mentioned patent, it will be described in some de
hered to the side flaps.
tail due to the fact that it serves the additional
Figure 8a is a side elevation of the strip of
function of forming the trays. The plunger
Figure 7 showing the appearance of the partially
mechanism is shown particularly in Figures 1
formed tray when seen from the side.
and 2 of the drawings. It comprises a pair of
Figure 9 shows the end flaps bent over the
yokes I2 between which a bar I3 extends. Each
sides and adhered thereto.
of the yokes has attached thereto an actuating
Figure 9a is a view similar to Figure 8a show
rod I4, these rods extending upwardly and being
ing the tray and also illustrating the operation
guided at their upper ends in any suitable
of part of the forming mechanism.
40 manner.
Figure 10 is a view generally similar to Figure 8
Spaced inwardly from the yokes I2 are sup
but showing a mode of> forming flaps on the sides
and adhering them to the ends of the tray rather
than forming flaps on the ends and adhering them
to the sides.
Figure 11 is a transverse cross sectional-view
porting members I5 which serve as guideways for
the tray lowering and folding members generally
designated'l 6. Extending through these tray low
> . ering andfolding members I6 are slots I1 through
which the bar I3 previously described passes.
Fastened to members I 6 are guiding members
(I8, see Figure 3, Patent No. 2,265,024) so that
the slots I1 and guides I8 together guide the bars
loss of vacuum or suction which might have been 50 I3 for vertical reciprocation.
present in the construction shown in my earlier
Each tray lowering and folding member I6
patents and particularly in Patent No. 2,130,761
comprises a plate 2U having narrow flanges 2I
of the machine of‘Figure 1 showing particularly
the mode of driving the links of the; chain and
the construction of the links for eliminating any
of September 20, 1938; and
Figure 12 is a transverse cross sectional view
of a link structure in which registration plat
forms are provided in duplicate so that two
packagesv may proceed through the same steps in
formation simultaneously. In this structure the
tray applying mechanism is of course likewise
provided in duplicate and is so illustrated in the
drawing.
The sheet of material from which the bottom
andsides of the package are to be formed is sup
plied with longitudinal reinforcing strips-in the
same manner as is shown in my Patent No.
2,147,632 the base sheet` being creasedv or folded
at the inner margin of the reinforcing strips as
is shown in the patent- mentioned.
Since many of the structural elements shown
at both sides thereof, these flanges extending in
both directions and vforming an H-shaped mem
ber in cross section. The ends of the flanges 2|.
of plate 20 terminate in points 22 which are
sharpened and which serve to cut the base sheet
at the proper time as. will be later described.
Likewise the bottom edge of plate 20 is formed
60 with teeth 23 (see Figure 2) which are sharpened
and which serve to cut the reinforcing trays II
as well as the underlying- base sheet as will also be
later described.
Plate 20 is provided With slots 24 through the
outer ones of which extend screws 24a which
couple two tray inserting plates 25, these plates
being a-lso used in the present instance as a die
member to cooperate with the mold in the forma
tion of the trays. Fastened to the plate 20 are
in the drawings are- identical with those of-my 70 four flat springs 26 having curved lower ends,
Patent No. 2,265,024 abovementioned, the refer
these springs being fixed to the plate 20.at their
ence characters used» are those used to identify
upper ends only and being located one on either
corresponding parts inA the patent.
side of each face of plate»20. The tray inserting
After the base. sheet has beenV provided with
plates~25 are grooved opposite the springs 26 so
the longitudinal reinforcing strips as above men 75 that the springs4 may slide within the grooves inv
2,612,8221
5,
a manner which -will be described hereafter'. At
the lower end of each grooveeachY plate-25 is
notched (as shown at 21, Figures lland `13 of
Patent No. 2,265,024) 'for a purpose which will
become apparent when the operation of -the
mechanism is described.v Fastened to either .face
of plate 2i! beneath the nat springs 26 isa rec
tangular piece of resilient‘materiall (28', Fig-v
-ures 11 and`l3, Patent No.’ 2,265,024) each Aof
which is .bowed outwardly at its lower extremity.~
This rectangular sheet is provided ï with slots
similar to the slots 24 so that the screws 24a
holding the two platesZ'äV together extendlike
wise through these resilient pieces'.>
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Fastened to each yoke` l2 is a downwardly ex
tending member 3i which atlits lower end forms
a support for a hinge-3io to whichare attached
the two halves 33 of a templet 34,-each oftheseÍ
templets being relatively short in the-direction
of the chain of links I0. Fixed toathe bar l3fat
the center thereof is a downwardly extending-bar
35 which supports a hinge 35a on. which two
halves 35 of the templet 31y are supported».
Templet 31 is generally‘símilar to the 'templets
34 but is of considerablygreater- longitudinallength since this templet is to .be inserted Within
and completely occupy a package forming tray
portions of plates 44 during a preliminary form-kv
ing operationofthe cellulose acetate or other
moldable 'material as will appear hereinafter.v
This bar '250.is provided with rack teeth 25| >on.
its lower surface, which teeth cooperate with a
gearasuch as «.252 (Figure l1), the gear being.
suitably'` driven for timed operation with îthe
plungery member and other portions of the
machine.
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Ateacnend ofA «the slot in the base 42 andiyi?l'g"
immediately above the removable bottomor 'bar
lill,r there isslocatedan end bending and holding-y
piece4 51.v which piece has a beveled edge58 (Fig-.
ure 2)r-.~an`d is urged intoits innermost position
by means of :the spring 60 stretched between the
lug‘ûlfonïthe ‘piece 51`and lug .52 formed inte,-v
grallywith the channel 4U. Thesesprings are;
adjustable.. by means of the screws. and nutslìîìL
and 64 as is clearly shown in _the drawings.;
20i Adjacent each corner Aof the slot inthe baseg42
»but abovethe bar 50 is a flap folding member B5
each of Awhich is mounted on a shaft B6 and is
oscillatableafrom. the position shown (Figure 5)
to that in which its Ylong edge lies parallel to the
long"- edgeof the slot in the base 42. Theshafts
66.:extend. downwardly through `bushings of, the
base 42 and carry on their lowerends gear sectors
61 which mesh with pinions 68 which in turn are.
mounted. Aon shafts 10 whichl shafts extend>
Cooperating ‘with the tray applying members 30 through the base and cover andcarry pinions 1I
ontheir upper ends.
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which have been abovedescribed are the mold
v-The pinions 1| at th lowerright hand and
members, or tray forming members of >thevinstant
upper- left hand portions of the mechanism, ‘was
invention. In describing ¿these members-` the
shown in Figure-B, mesh with- idler pinions'12
reference characters used have no referencel to
Patent No. 2,265,024 and it is to be understood 35 which in turn mesh with pinions 13. , The pinions
1I Vof the mechanisms at the upper right‘hand.
and lower left :hand/corners of Figure 3 meshy
that
Each
thismold
is the member
case.
comprises
‘
ar channellike
directly with pinions .13. In every instance the
member 40 having a slot 39,( Fig. _1), in thefbase
pinions
13. mesh in turn with gear sectors 14
thereof, this slot extending about >two-thirds >of
the length -of the channeland terminating at `the 40 whichA aremounted on shafts 15 extending> up;-`
wardly and bearing pins 16 near their upperends,
points designated ¿il (Figure 5). Beneath> ,the
see particularly.: Figure 2. Actuating members
channel member [email protected] is a base 42 which is generally
11 are guided' on the upwardly extending ends
rectangular in shape and which has a rectangular
of the snaft`15 and‘have in their surfaces helical
slot 42a. near the center thereof. The upstand
slots ~18ïintovwhich the pins 16 extend. Thus
ing arms of the channel are cut as indicated-at
when the members» 11 are depressed they actuate
43 (Figures 4 and 5) to provide space vfor the
the' train of gears comprising the sectors V14,
forming plates 44 which plates are adjustably
pinionsï13, 12,'»1I;"68 and gear sectors 61 to
positioned by means of the screws 45 and adjust
operate'` the flap folding member 65. As has
ing nuts ¿i6 of Figure fr. In addition, theseplates
are heated by means of the electrical heaters 41 50 been indicated'the shafts on which the pinions
(iB-,'12> and'13 are mounted arestud shafts which
the leads 48 to which extend through holes in the
extend into and are supported by the cover
upstanding arms of the channel as shown in Fig
ure 5. At each end of each of the side vforming
member ßß'about to be described.
plates 44 the channel is slotted transversely and
Cover member 80 isla plate which extends over
whereas the short templets merelyoccup-y the
ends of package forming trays.
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outwardly of the slots the channel is ñlledïin as, 55 and is fastened to ’the upright arms of the chan
for example, by a metallic block, or may be made
nel/'member 40. This plate is recessed in lits
solid forming a flat surface, the sides oi which
are spaced from the ends of the side forming
plates 44, these flat surfaces forming mold ends.
lower _surface to provide a passageway through
which a blank lof cellulose acetate 'or other mold
able material may be fed. The recess extends
The base for the mold is removable and com
to thefright.' as seen in Figures 4 and 5 to the
prises a bar 5t having tongues 5l thereon which 60 point 8| the termination of the recess acting as
iit in grooves 52 in the base of the channel 40.
a. stop for‘the strip or blank of tray material;
This bar is also provided with an electrical heat
Also A_theoover 80 has a rectangular slot therein
ing unit designated 53 the lead to which extends
which vlies immediately above the rectangular
through the bar to a heater terminal at point 54.
slot inthe base`42. Above the plate 80' and
65
rI‘he bar is moved into and out of itsr position by
spaced therefrom is a second plate 82 which has
means of rack teeth 55 (Figure 2) which are
a large generally rectangular slot 83 thereinand
formed on the lower surface of the bar and which
which serves as a v'support for the upper ends of
cooperate with a gear wheel 56 which is ysuitably
the 'various -pinion shafts mentioned as well as
driven for operation in time with the operation
to holdin position brackets 84 which support
of the plunger member and other lportions of 70 horizontal shafts 85 on which are mounted the
the machine.
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guiding rollers 86 for the tray forming and lower
Located above the removable bottom or bar 50
ing member i6.v
and slidably mounted in grooves inthe forming
. The base of the channel 40 extends outwardly
members 44 is a similar bar 250 which barserves
therefrOmto
the left, as shown in Figure 2, and
as the bottom of a mold'formed bythe upper 75
7
8
carries ‘at its end a bracket v8`| 'which forms Aa
support for the shaft'on which gear '5B-rotates.'
This -extension atV theïbase of the channel'also
carries a pair of brackets 88 >fixed 'tcth’eex
tension by means of the screws 90, these brackets
forming a support for the shaft 9| on which'a
feed roller 92 is mounted. The .feedroller‘f92
the severed blank being shown in Figure '7.
Following this the tray lowering member IG
With'pcints 22 above the lower edges of plates
25, is caused to move downwardly until it rests
against the >bar 250. This action causes bend
ing of the side and end portions of the blank
upwardly as shown in Figure 8. Due to the
seating of the lower edges of plates 25 against
the bar 250 theïaction just above described re
cooperateswith and lies directly below a primary
feed and perforating roll 93 which is mounted
upon a shaft 94 which may be supported ~in any 10' sults :informing accurate square cornered bends
Suitable manner not shown. The. entireïmold
along the juncture of the bottom and sides of
structure comprising .the -channel >40': and ¿the
the. tray. This result may, if desirable, be fur
other cooperating >parts -»hereinabove described,
ther’assured by providing a heating element in
isfsuitably mounted .in a -fixed position, `this
the bar 250 in a manner similar to that in which
mounting being omitted from the drawings ¿for 15 bar 50-is‘provided with a heating element 53.
the sake of clarity. The feed rolls '92 and-93
' Following this action the bar 250 is moved to
are designed to feed a blank such as that shown
the right 'and the tray 'lowering number IB is
in Figure 6, and perforate that blankeas'shown
caused 'to 'move downwardly till it rests against
at‘!! in Figure 7.
j'`
the bar'50.
This blank comprisesa strip ofv celluloseacetate 20 Th'e'extreme ends of the end portions‘extend
95 or other moldable' material of a Width =equal
beyond ‘the'side portions at this time and are
to the width plus twice the height ofthe tray
permittedtodescend in this form due to the cut
to be formed and having certain perforations,
away portions vof the sides of the channel'40 as
scored lines and slotsas shown in‘Figureô 'and
is best illustrated in Figure 4 in which the slots
about to be described. At intervals correspond
formed ~by virtue ofthe construction are shown
ing to the length of the tray to be formed, and
at |04. lIt willzbe seen that the beveled edges 58
consequently corresponding to the width-of the
ofthe members 51 presses against the material
ultimate package, holes 96 are punched on` the
and. hold the ends4 against the ends of the tray
longitudinal center line of the strip 95; `these
forming and inserting plates 25, which constitute
holes, as a result, being spaced apart a distance 30 a mold plunger. At this time flanges 2| lie above
equal to the length plus twice the'height-of Athe
the edge of the tray end; this pressure of piece
trays to Abe " formed. Running longitudinally of
51 'a'gainstlthe'tray ends assures that the flanges
thes'trip and spaced `,inwardly from-»the` margins
and cutting edges will pass outside the tray ends
thereof a distance equal to the .height of the
in their later descent. The presence of the semi
tray to> be formed (and therefore: equal> to the
circular'cuts resulting from severing the blank
height‘cf 4the package to be formed) are score
across the center lines of holes 95, assists the
lines? 91 which facilitate‘the turning up .-of the
cutting »of the tray. To increase this effect the
s'idès of the trays. On-these 'scorelines‘there
holes-may be made in a diamond shape, the feed
are -punched holes '98 which locate‘sthe corners
pins being modified accordingly.
of' the‘bottom of the ".tray intsuch-‘mannerf-that 40 Following the operation above described the
theï'center'point 96 of‘the'bottomfareaxis Tequi
actuators ‘I1 are moved downwardly causing ro
distant from the holes '98. Running transversely
tation of the shafts 15 and consequent rotation
ofthe blank between the score> lines‘97, or~-beof the flap folding members B5 which members
tween pairs >of »holes l'98, areadditional ~score
acteagainst the extended’ flaps on the ends of the
lines "|00 which facilitate the folding ofi the ends
of the material as will beidescribedlater.l- Nar
row slots are punched which extendfrom each
blank-to'fold them against the upsta-nding sides
` of the blank, the position of the folding members
one of the holes~90 outwardly tofthemarg-inmof
the strip, these yslotsgserving 'tol eliminate encess
material and to «absorb expansion. „The feed
roller>93 has -ridges r93a thereondcorresponding
to _the score lines~ 91 and |00. -Likewise-„this
roller has pins |0|~ther`eon which cooperatewith
65 after this operation being shown in Figures
9--an'd` 9a. Since the heating elements have been
energized 'at all --times the pressure exerted by
the membersl65- upon the flaps of the endsof the
blank causes theseiiaps to adhere to the sides
of -thevblank and to complete the formation of a
tray, -If desirableadhesive may be substituted
the holes 96 to-_cause feeding ofthematerial: a
for heat. '
feed roller.
Next the gear`55 is actuated to retract the mold
bottom lor bar 50 and the now formed tray carried
definite amount upon each Vhalf- rotationv> oA l,the
In addition ltolthe Jridges'v " ydp "
mentioned, the feed roller J93,‘carries`'on‘it'sÍsu‘r-f`
face a plurality óf teeth '|02 whichïperfôifate
the" blank along'its center lifi‘elto'faòîlitate’the
ultimate severing of the'niatei‘ial subsequentto
the application 'of "the reinforcing 'tray'.tothe 60
base sheet.
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¿In timed 'relationship to' tn_eîöp'eraticn of‘th'e
m‘ain'machine the "fe'e'd roller 93 is ‘op'ei‘atedto
advance the strip'of material intofposition'îsuch
that its forward‘en‘d (righth'
.Figure 2*) comesagainst thel end
`
"Js‘çseen in
cf'th‘ejrecess
in the- cover'80. v‘At this timefthe'mold bottom
or barj50_ is in its‘right hand-'positionj’asseen
in Figure 2,'the upper bar ‘Z50-is' _its‘leftj' hand
position as seen-in Figure n2,'ant'l, ófvcoursejth’e
end formingpieces 151' `are in their "ward‘p'osi
tions to y'which they are urged*by_the-‘sp?iiig’t0;
Next the blank is severed frornj the-~`stripïby
bythe tray .applying memberv I6 is caused to de
scend through the rectangular slot in the base
42‘ and be‘applied to the longitudinally reinforced
base sheet 'on the links l0. Means not shown
are provided for spraying adhesive against the
bottom ofthe formed tray as 'it descends into po
sition'on'the' ba'se sheet or inthe alternative the
links may. be'provided at their ends with heating
elements in order to cause adherence of-the trays
to the-base sheets by Vmeans of heat and pressure.
Shortly thereafterf'the plates 20 are 'lowered un
der controlof their actuators the sharpened edges
2| Iand~23 thereof cutting through the centers
of the bottoms and ends of the tray-like members
| l and perpendicularly to these cuts through the
baseV sheet. .In other words, the trays || are cut
in'ïhalf andiV the sheetifis -incised in anl H-shape.
:Following-this 'the various parts of the mem
bers 1B are Tactuated 1in the manner described in
2,612,822
9
detail in my Patent No. 2,265,024 and specifically
extending from line 59, column 1, page 4, to line
22, column 2 ofvthat page. At this time the
templets are still within the partially formed
package trays and the half trays have been ro
tated into position to form package ends. There
upon adhesive material or solvent for the base
material, are formed on the sides of the blank
and are caused to be folded over the upstand
ing ends as is indicated in Figure l0.l
Although, as has -'been stated, the machine
is generally »similar to that shown in my prior
patents as modified particularly in Patent No.
2,265,024, improvements have been made in vari
ous portions of the mechanism. One of these
sheet and the trays il is. sprayed between the
improvements is concerned with the driving
longitudinal reinforcing strip and the 'corners of
mechanism.` In my earlier patents, the links
10
the members Il and immediately thereafter the
of the moving chain were` driven by means of
hinged sides 105 of the links IQ are rotated about
sprocket wheels at either end of the machine
their hinged points by means of the actuators
.augmented in some instances by a rotating rod
_ IBB causing the reinforced edges or sides of the
bearing a helical groove and cooperating with
package to be adhered to the corner pieces
projections extending outwardly and downward
formed from the trays Il.
'
ly from the sides of the link. and lying under
It will be obvious that the material on the cen
. the helical rods.
ter link of the three is formed into a complete
In the present instance the machine is posi
tray while that on each .of the two >outside links
tively driven by virtue of rack teeth III (Figure
is formed into a single ended tray. However, the
next movement of the links will be such as to ad 20 l) cut into the lower surface of the downward
vance them through two link -lengths so that the
tray having its forward edge previously formed
will be in position `»to have its rear end formed
thereby resulting in the effective> completion of
two complete trays on each operation.` It will also
be clear that in order to effect such a result the
mold members comprising the channel lill and its
associated parts together with the tray forming
extensions H0 at each side of each link. These
' rack teeth mesh with pinions H2, Figures 1 and
ll, which pinionsare mounted on the shafts
H3 which extend transversely of the machine
as is seen particularly in'Figure l1. Alternate
ones of the shafts H3 carry beveled gears H4
at their left ends and the remainder carry like
beveled gears H4 at their right hand ends. In
either event the beveled gears H4 mesh with
and applying members I6 are supplied in dupli
cate, as is shown in Figure l. It will moreover 30 beveled gears H5 mounted on the shaft H6 or
Hl as the case may be. Shafts H6 and H1 ex
be clear ’that by the addition of a third molding
tend. longitudinally of the machine and each
member comprising the channel 4Q `and its asso
carries atone'end thereof a spur gear H8 or
ciatedrparts and a third member I5, as is indi
H9 lin turn meshing with the gears |20 or 12|.
cated by the dash-dot lines in Figure 3, three or
These
latter gears are driven in any suitable
more trays may be made simultaneously and ap 35
manner as, for example, that shown in Figure
plied to the base sheet to form effectively a cor
21 of my Patent No. 2,130,761 issued September
responding number of complete package trays
20, 1938, which drive mechanism incorporates a
at ’ each operation of the. machine. -If this is
Geneva movement such’ as has been mentioned.
done it will, of course, be necessary to modify the
In this construction the helically cut rods of
drive of the links l0 so that on each intermittent 40 my prior patents, such as those shown in Figures
actuation of the chain a movement of three'or
l and 2 of the patent above identified, are
more link' lengths occurs. Following the folding
eliminated and intheir place there is provided
of the side members, as has been described, the
a rod |22 which bears against the upper surface
package trays may be filled and covered, the
of the lower portion of the extension lill and
side naps being sealed to the covers inthe same
causes the links to seat properly upon the
manner and with use of the same equipment de
scribed in detail in Patent No. 2,265,024 which
equipment is shown in a rather schematic way
vacuum supply tube. The rods H22 are tapered
at one end so that as the links of the moving
chain pass about freely rotatable wheels (not
to the right of the break in Figure l, 4
shown) at the ends of the machine, the lower
It may at times, as hasv been above indicated, 50 portions 'of extensions H0 of the links are sure
be desirable to utilize the tray forming or mold
to pass under the rods and are then- caused to
ing equipment described, for the purpose of
be pressed into proper position on the vacuum
forming a tray of proper size to be used as the
base of apackage and to use the same or a simi
- tube 11G due to the tapered formation of the
lar mechanism to form a slightly larger tray
replace `the `sprocket wheels of Figure v21 of
Patent No. 2,130,761, these wheels being plane
surfaced and being rotatably mounted on the
which will fit over the base tray to form a cover
for'such a package. When this is done the feed
roller 93 will not be provided with teeth |62
since it is not desired to perforate the tray along
rod ends.' The wheels at the ends of the machine
shaft so that the drive is through the rack teeth
its centerline as is desirable when the tray is 60 only.
" 'In order that the length of the unit packages
merely to be used for reinforcement for the
may be altered means are provided for separat
vends and corners of a package forming tray as
ing the links of the moving chain as will be de
scribed hereinafter. In addition to this means
will be provided in place of the plunger which 65 it is, of course, necessary to provide a different
size of top plate 123 and in addition, of course,
has been generally designated as i6. Also it
it will be necessary to change the spacing of the
may be preferable that naps be formed on the
tray making and applying members so that
sides of the tray rather than on the ends and
the reinforcing trays will >be applied'to the pack
that- these flaps be folded over the ends rather
than over the sides. To accomplish this the 70 age ends.
The means for separating the links are shown
folding member 65 of Figures 8 and 9 are actuated
in Figures 1 and 11 and =comprise a downward
inthe reverse direction and, of course, the blank
ly extendingportion of the link structure desig
is modiñed in corresponding manner whereby
nated as 124i in the drawing, this portion hav
the flaps, or in some instances, opening tab eX
tensions of reinforcing strips embedded in the 75 ing the rack teeth lil cut inits lower surface
heretofore described. Furthermore, in utilizing
the equipment'for this purpose a solid plunger
2,612'5822
11
which extends to the right, as shown ínFigure
1, and square teeth | Ila in the upper> surface
of its extending portion. Furthermore, as will
be most clearly seen in Figure 1, the downward
ly extending portion of lug |24Í is supplied in
duplicate one on either side of the bottom por
12
of the lower portion of extension ||~01tlghtly
against rodV |22, thereby maintainingexact regis
tration throughout contacts of shoes withv tube.
In the same way was shown particularly in'F‘ig~
ure 13 of my PatentNo. 2,130,761, the rotation of
a helically ribbed tube causes the operation of
tion of the L-shaped extension ||_0 of the link.
poppet valves to admit suction into the link struc
Further each side of the bottom edge ofthe ex
ture atA the proper time. In my prior patents
tension ||0 carries square teeth as is indicated
there was no assured mode of transmitting this
at |26v with the resulting effect, on either side 10 suction to the suction plates such as |40, the pos
of the lower edge of the extension of the link,
sibility of leaks occurring at the points between
of a slot cut into the link extension and provided
the various gaskets being relatively great.
with square cut teeth on either edge thereof.
In'v order to eliminate thisdefect the present
Through the portions |24 of each link extension
structure provides an upwardly extending-«cylin
a pivot screw |30 passes and on ythis screw is
drical boss |5| on the member |43, thiszbossbeing
pivoted a connecting bar |21 which extends to
threaded. on its external surface to .cooperate with
the left of the pivot screw |30 .as seen in Figure
anut |52; Areinforcediiexible tube |55..such as
1, and carries on its lower surface rack teeth
arubber. tube reinforcedwith -a coil spring isfpro
|28 of the same conformation as thel rack teeth
vided the yrubber or other resilient portion thereof
|| |.
being flanged. outwardly at its bottom‘end’and
' As is clearly seen in Figure 11, this bar is of
seated upon the- upper> edgeofV the boss |5 |‘ being
such a width as to lie between the two extensions
heldiin‘positionv by the inwardly extending flange
of the portions |24. In order that the .distance
of >the, nut |52; This tube extends upwardly,` and
between the pivot screws may be varied two plates
passes4 through a central hole in the bottomwall
|3| are provided, these plates- having square cut 25 of- theregistering plate structure |401 which bot~
teeth on their upper and loweredges and being
tom wall is likewise provided with anintegral
fastened to the bar |21 by means of the screws
boss |53. A nut |54 similar to the nut'. 152B
|32. When in position the square cut teeth on
providedy and the flexible tube |55 is> inserted
the edges of the two plates |3| (one lying in front
through the boss |53 andbent over the upper
of and one behind the bar |21) are engaged with 30 surface of that boss whereupon thev nut is
teeth |26 on the upper edges of the slots in the
threaded> on to the exterior threads of the boss
link and with the square cut teeth alongthe upper
clamping the flange of the tube between the in
edge of the projections |25 forming the slots.
Thus in order to adjust the distance between
wardly extending flange of the nut and topof
-the boss. Of course, the sheet registering plate
|23 of the upper link plate structure'l40. is then
fastened into its position, as shown in Figures 1
and 11.
It will be seen that due to the arrangement just
described there can be no possible leak of thefap
links, it is only necessary to remove the screws |32
and the plates |3| after which the bars |21’ can
be given a desired position with respect to the
adjacent links and the plates reinserted with
their teeth meshing with different ones of the
teeth of the link structure after which the screws 40 plied suction at anypoint during its transmission
|32 may be reinserted and tightened.
and particularly noleakage due to misregistration
In- Figures l and 1l are also shown modifica
or due to wear, drying out or other gaskety defects
tions of the link structure asv compared with that
such as were possible in the’structure of my
shown in my prior Patents Nos. 2,147,632 and
earlier patents hereinabove mentioned;
2,130,761, these modifications being particularly 45 It is at times desirable to increase the produc
with respect to the mode of transmitting the ap
tiveA capacity of a machine of the type-Which has
plied suction or vacuum through the body of. the
been described above. For this purpose a struc
links to the sheet registering plates such as | 40
ture such as that'of Figure 12, may be utilized.
of Figures 1 and 11. In the present instance each
This structure is inr generalv similar to that a1
link comprises a generally rectangular body por 50 ready described exceptthat each link ofthe mov
tion |41 carrying along its side edges the down
ing chain is in this instance provided with an
wardly extending members |10` previously de
upperA plate |60 which distributes the vacuum
scribed. Body portion |4| has a round hole
from the> tube |55 to two vacuum sheet register
therein extending upwardly fromits bottom edge '
ing plates |40 each carried at one side of the plate
almost to the top thereof which hole is bushed 55 |60-, the- vacuum channels being shown at the
with a bushing |42. Within this bushing is an
right and left of the plate |60, and designated
upwardly projecting cylindrical memberv |43
|6-|. This in effect supplies two chains `‘of‘links
which has a lower concave surface formed. in
each of which is cooperated with by tray forming
tegrally therewith to which is fastened a shoe |44
and applying mechanisms identical with, those
which engages the vacuum or suction applying 60 previously described except that the feed of the
tube`|10, there being a gasket |45 between the
blanks is'in one instance from the left hand‘side
member |43 and the shoe |44.
and in the -other from the right as will be obvious
Fastened to the shoe |44 at each end thereof
by'reference to Figurev 12. It, will be understood,
are the upwardly extending U-shaped4 members
of course, that additional mechanism for filling
or brackets |46 through which curved bars |41 65 the‘trays when formed and for applying cover
attached to the downward extension | l0 of the
sheets and for sealingr the packages will also be
body portion |4| are fixed. This construction
provided being unnecessary to show this since
prevents the shoes and projections |43 from fall
they are simply duplicates of those indicated in
ing out of the link structure when that structure
Figure l and described in detail in my Patent No.
passes beyond the tube. A coil spring |48- is 70 2,265,024 mentioned many times hereinabove.
placed between each bushing |42 and a rim |50
In place of the duplicate top plates a single
formed on the cylindrical projection |43, the
top plate of increasedv size may be utilized so that
springs tending to hold the shoes against the
the resulting packages have greater transverse
vacuum tube during the traverse of the links
width than longitudinal length thereby causing
along that tube and also forcing the upper surface ' the reinforcing and opening strips to run along
2,612,822
13
f 14
the ends instead of sides'of the containers and
likewise causing the opening tabs (flaps) to be
folded against :the sides instead of the endsfby
members 65.
Whatisclaimedisz'
~
„
.
l. In a device for making package trays, in
‘said plunger. to remove the formed rtrayfrom
the device.
"
1
x
"
f
>
4. In a 4device for making package trays, in
combination', arnold member having a remov
able bottoml element,` upstanding sides'extending
above said bottom element, upstanding endämem
bers extending 'across said side members 'and
slightly spaced therefrom,A >an auxiliary bottom
element extending between said side members ad
ments extending across said side elements at the 10 jacent the top thereof, means for feeding a pre
formed blank above the molding chamber formed
upper portions thereof and being slightly spaced
by- the 'said bottom ele-ments and side and end
therefrom, additional end elements extending up
members, a plunger of a size to substantially fill
wardly from said bottom member and being re
-the ’said »molding chamber, means for lowering '
siliently pressed inwardly, means for feeding a
preformed blank above the molding chamber = Ísaid plunger against the blankl‘to fold thev sides
and ends of the blank upwardly Vand to‘seat ,the
formed by the said bottom, side and end ele
base of said blank against said auxiliarymclding
ments, a plunger of a size to substantially fill the
element', the -extremities of said ends lyingin rthe
said molding chamber and means for lowering
"said‘ spaces between said mold sides'k andends,
said plunger against the blank to fold thesides
and ends of the blanks upwardly to pass the ex 20 means for removing the auxiliary molding ele
ment and further lowering said plunger to com
tremities of the ends of the blank through the
plete the bending into place ofthe sides andends
spaces between the upstanding mold sides'and
ofthe box blank, and to pass the. extremities of
ends and to cause said ends to be pressedl in
‘the ends through the said spaces,v means'located
wardly against the plunger by said resiliently
adjacent' the corners of the molding chamber f-to
pressed auxiliary end elements, the lowering of
‘bend flaps on 'the ends ofthe blank against the
said plunger also serving to seat the base of
sides, means fori'heating the upstanding mem
said blank against said bottom element.
2. In a device for making package trays, in -bers and' bottom element to 'cause adhesion: of
vthe bent flaps to the sides, and means lfor 're
combination, a mold member having a remov
moving said removable bottomv "element vand
able bottom element, upstanding sides extend
combination, a mold member having a kremov
able bottom element, upstanding sides extending
above said bottom elements, upstanding end ele
ing above said bottom elements, means=for~adjusting said sides toward and away from ïeaoh
I‘further lowering. said»- 'plunger to- remove.' the
formed tray from the device.
:- " .. "
1 »
other, upstanding end elements extending across
said side elements at the upper portions thereof
and being slightly spaced therefrom, additional
end elements extending upwardly from` 'said
bottom member and being resiliently pressed in
'5.' In a'device for forming reinforcing tray Elike
members and applying saidmembers to asheet
wardly against the plunger by said resiliently
pressed auxiliary end elem-ents, the lowering of
said plunger also serving to seat the base of
said blank against said bottom element.
the sides thereof to form a tray, means to remove
of cellulose acetate or "the like, in combination, a
molding chamber comprising a removable bottom i
element and upstanding> side and end elements,
said end elements being spaced from the ends of
wardly, means for feeding a preformed blank
said side elements, a plunger adapted to be low-y
above the molding chamber formed by the said
bottom, side and end elements, a plunger of a 40 ered into said molding chamber, means for feed
ing preformed blanks into position above said
size to substantially fill the said molding cham
molding chamber, means for lowering said plung
ber, said adjustable sides, resiliently urged ends
er against said blank to force the blank into the
and plunger together rendering the mold cham
chamber and to cause bending of the sides and
ber slightly variable in size, and means for low
ering said plunger against the blank to fold the 45 ends of said blank upwardly, and to pass the ex
tremities of the ends of the blank through the
sides and ends of the blanks upwardly to pass
spaces between said mold sides and ends, means
the extremities of the ends of the blank through
located adjacent the corners of said chamber to
.the spaces between the upstanding mold sides
fold the naps of the ends of the blank against
and ends and to cause said ends to be pressed in
3. In a device for making package trays, in
said removable bottom element, means to lower
said plunger and to carry the formed tray from
the molding chamber into contact with a sheet
of cellulose acetate or the like in position beneath ‘
combination, a mold member having a remov- ,
said tray, means to cause said tray to adhere to
able bottom element, upstanding side members
extending above said bottom element, upstanding
said sheet, 'and means carried by said plunger to
cut said tray in half and to make an H-shaped
incision in said sheet whereby the two half trays
end members extending across said side members
and slightly spaced therefrom, means for feed
may be rotated about their edges to form rein
ing a preformed blank above the molding cham 60 forced ends for the ultimate package.
6. In a device for forming tray like reinforcing
ber formed by the said bottom member and side
and end members, a plunger of a size to substan
tially ñll the said molding chamber, means for
lowering said plunger against the blank to fold
the side and ends of the blank upwardly to pass
the extremities of the ends of the blank through
the space between the said mold sides and ends
and to seat the base of said blank against said
bottom member, means located adjacent the cor
ners of the molding chamber to bend flaps on>
the ends of the blank against the sides, means
for heating the upstanding members and bot
tom element to cause adhesion of the bent flaps
to the sides and means for removing said re
movable bottom element and further lowering
members to be used as end reinforcements for a
package formed from sheets of cellulose acetate
or the like, in combination, a molding chamber
comprising a bottom and upstanding end and side
walls, said end walls being spaced from the ends
of said side walls, means for sliding said bottom
to open the mold, means for heating said bot
tom, means for heating said side walls, means
comprising a plunger located above said molding
chamber for inserting a box blank into said mold,
the sides of said box blank lbeing bent upwardly
due to cooperation of said side walls with said
plunger, the ends of said blank being likewise
75 bent upwardly due to cooperation of the end walls
¿256112, 822
16
» 15
with said plunger, said ends .extending A,outwardly
beyond the bent up sides, means comprising piv»
otally- >mounted arms vlocated adjacent the .cor
«ners' of Athe mold for> bending -thezextendingxends
-ag'ainst the Abent >up sides .andadheringthe -ends ,
tosaid sides“ due to the `heat ofthe sidewalls
and the pressure imparted .bysaid- Ibending means,
tending, across at least the upper portions of said
:side members and being slightly spaced there
from, an auxiliary bottom member mounted for
movement into and out of lposition above said ñrst
mentioned removable bottom member, said aux
iliary bottommember cooperating with said side
and endmembers -to form a tray having end naps
extending into the spaces between said side and
end members, and means pivotally mounted
means located adjacentztheaendsuof the molding
kchamber-*spring pressed yinwardly vto hold A11i-ie ends
in zpositionagainst; the plunger during said-bend 10 beneath said end members for folding said end
ing ,of >the extensions of said ends. ’against the
V11ans Aagainst the sides of a formed tray, said fold
sides andfmeans. operable at the completionY o'f
ing-members operating subsequent to the removal
the ~ bendingÍ .operation for> removing .said> bottom
Aof said auxiliary bottom member.
element and velecting Vthe formedîtray like .mem
bei-'fromthe molding chamber due to'additiona-l g
movement of‘ the said plunger.
FREDERICK E. BICKFORD.
„
REFERENCES CITED
‘ 7; Aimoldïfor, use inthe formation of pac -
age trays eomprisingupstanding side.; members,
a removable> `solid- bottom, >ñxed end members
Vextending across ' at least the> upper |portions 20
ot‘said side members and being slightly spaced
therefrom, and means‘pivotally mounted «beneath
said" end'. members for foldingA the end flaps
The following references are of record in the
flle of this patent:
Number
formed in the space between said side: and Aend
vmembers Yagainst thesidesof-a formed tray.
25
-. 8. ‘Amold for- use in the formation of package
traysl comprising upstanding'side members, albet
’tom member, end'` members extending ‘ across.l said
sidev member-s and being slightlyv spacedr there
from,._and an auxiliary lbottom member mounted 30
for movement'into and'outîof position above said
first mentioned removable bottom member. I
9. A >mold for use> in the formation-of'pack
ageitrays comprising;v upstanding side members,
a, removable bottom member, end members-ex 35
»
UNITED STATES PATENTS
Name
Date
101,354
208,661
Crosby __________ __ Mar. 29, 1870
Wright __________ __ Oct. 1, 1878
223,406
Strieby __________ __ Jan. 6, 1880
536,021
538,770
634,507
1,113,715
1,257,988
1,400,060.
1,701,317
Eschenbeck ______ __ Mar. 19,
Eschenbeck ______ __ May 7,
Smith __________ __ Oct. 10,
Taylor __________ __ Oct. 13,
Evers ____________ __ Mar. 5,
Heim ____________ __ Dec. 13,
Stoker __________ __ Feb. 5,
1895
1895
1899
1914
1918
1921
1929
1,715,585
Woodworth __,______ June 4, 1929
1,724,077
1,988,452
2,132,859
Fleischer et al _____ __ Aug. 13, 1929
Knowlton ________ __ Jan. 22, 1935
Mednick et al _____ __ Oct. 11, 1938