阅读说明：本技术 箱盒成型机 (Box forming machine ) 是由 瑞安·奥斯特豪特 于 2017-06-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：箱盒成型机,其包括转换器组件、折叠组件和附接组件。转换器组件将片材转换为箱盒模板。折叠组件接合箱盒模板的第一端,并将箱盒模板的第一端移动到预定位置。附接组件接合箱盒模板的第二端,并使箱盒模板的第二端朝向箱盒模板的第一端移动并与箱盒模板的第一端接合,以将箱盒模板的第一和第二端附接在一起。(A box forming machine includes a converter assembly, a folding assembly and an attachment assembly. The converter assembly converts the sheet into a cassette template. The folding assembly engages the first end of the carton template and moves the first end of the carton template to a predetermined position. The attachment assembly engages the second end of the box template and moves the second end of the box template toward and into engagement with the first end of the box template to attach the first and second ends of the box template together.)

1. A case and box forming machine comprising:

a converter assembly configured to perform one or more conversion functions on a sheet to convert the sheet into a cassette template;

a folding assembly configured to engage and move the first end of the carton template to a predetermined position, wherein the folding assembly comprises a folding head having a folding plate and a first clamp, wherein the folding plate and the first clamp are configured to selectively retain the first end of the carton template; and

an attachment assembly configured to engage and move the second end of the carton template toward and into engagement with the first end of the carton template.

2. A carton forming machine as in claim 1 wherein the folding head further comprises a second clamp, wherein the folding plate and the second clamp are configured to press the first and second ends of the carton template together once the attachment assembly has moved the second end of the carton template into engagement with the first end of the carton template; or

The folding head is rotatable, wherein rotation of the folding head is configured to reorient the first end of the carton template from a first orientation to a second orientation.

3. A box forming machine according to claim 1 wherein the folding assembly includes first and second subframes movably connected together, the folding head being connected to the second subframe, wherein the movable nature of the first and second subframes enables the folding head to move within an X-Y field to move the first end of the box template to a predetermined position.

4. A carton forming machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the folding assembly is configured to fold adhesive tabs provided at the first end of the carton template onto adjacent portions of the carton template.

5. A carton forming machine as in claim 1 wherein the attachment assembly comprises an attachment head having one or more attachment mechanisms, wherein the one or more attachment mechanisms are configured to selectively retain the second end of the carton template.

6. A carton forming machine according to claim 5 wherein the attachment head further comprises one or more guides, wherein the one or more guides comprise one or more curved or beveled frames configured to flatten and guide a carton template out of the carton forming machine.

7. A carton forming machine according to claim 5 wherein the one or more attachment mechanisms comprise:

one or more clamps selectively movable into engagement with the second end of the carton template to selectively retain the second end of the carton template; or

One or more vacuum heads that can be selectively actuated to selectively retain a second end of the carton template.

8. The box-forming machine of claim 7, wherein the one or more vacuum heads include at least two vacuum heads offset from each other.

9. A carton forming machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the attachment assembly comprises first and second subframes movably connected together, wherein the attachment assembly further comprises an attachment head connected to the second subframe, wherein the movable nature of the first and second subframes enables the attachment head to move within an X-Y field to move the second end of the carton template towards the first end of the carton template.

10. A carton forming machine as in claim 9 wherein the attachment head is rotatable, wherein rotation of the attachment head is configured to reorient the second end of the carton template from a first orientation to a second orientation; or

The attachment head is configured to move the carton template to an exit position of the carton forming machine.

11. A case and box forming machine comprising:

a frame;

a converter assembly mounted on the frame, the converter assembly configured to perform one or more conversion functions on a sheet to convert the sheet into a cassette template;

a folding assembly configured to engage and move the first end of the carton template to a predetermined position, wherein the folding assembly comprises a folding head having a folding plate and a first clamp configured to selectively clamp onto the first end of the carton template, wherein the folding head is movably connected to the frame to enable the first end of the carton template to move to a predetermined position; and

an attachment assembly configured to engage and move the second end of the carton template toward and into engagement with the first end of the carton template, wherein the attachment assembly comprises an attachment head having one or more attachment mechanisms for selectively attaching to the second end of the carton template, wherein the attachment head is movably connected to the frame to enable the second end of the carton template to move toward and into engagement with the first end of the carton template.

12. A box forming machine according to claim 11 wherein the attachment head is movably connected to the frame via one or more movable subframes, and the folding head is movably connected to the frame via one or more movable subframes.

13. A carton forming machine as claimed in claim 11 wherein the folding head is pivotally connected to the frame.

14. A carton forming machine as claimed in claim 11 wherein the folding assembly is configured to fold adhesive tabs provided at the first end of the carton template around an outfeed panel of the converter assembly.

15. A case and box forming machine comprising:

a converter assembly configured to perform one or more conversion functions on a sheet to convert the sheet into a cassette template;

a folding assembly configured to engage and move a first end of the carton template to a predetermined position; and

an attachment assembly configured to engage and move the second end of the carton template toward and into engagement with the first end of the carton template, wherein the attachment assembly comprises an attachment head having one or more attachment mechanisms, wherein the one or more attachment mechanisms are configured to selectively retain the second end of the carton template.

16. A carton forming machine as claimed in claim 15 wherein the one or more attachment mechanisms comprise:

one or more clamps selectively movable into engagement with the second end of the carton template to selectively retain the second end of the carton template; or

One or more vacuum heads that can be selectively actuated to selectively retain a second end of the carton template.

17. A carton forming machine as in claim 15 wherein the folding assembly comprises a folding head having a folding plate and a first clamp, wherein the folding plate and the first clamp are configured to selectively retain the first end of the carton template.

18. A carton forming machine as in claim 17 wherein the folding head further comprises a second clamp, wherein the folding plate and the second clamp are configured to press the first and second ends of the carton template together once the attachment assembly has moved the second end of the carton template into engagement with the first end of the carton template.

19. The carton forming machine according to claim 15, wherein:

the folding head is rotatable, wherein rotation of the folding head is configured to reorient the first end of the carton template from a first orientation to a second orientation; or

The attachment head is rotatable, wherein rotation of the attachment head is configured to reorient the second end of the carton template from a first orientation to a second orientation.

20. A case and box forming machine comprising:

a converter assembly configured to perform one or more conversion functions on a sheet to convert the sheet into a cassette template; and

a feed changer configured to direct different sheets into the converter assembly, the feed changer comprising:

at least one set of upper guide channels configured to guide a first sheet into the feed changer;

at least one set of lower guide channels configured to guide a second sheet into the feed changer; and

a drive roller configured to pull the first sheet or the second sheet into the feed changer, the drive roller configured to rotate in a first direction and a second direction, wherein rotation of the drive roller in the first direction pulls the first sheet into the feed changer and rotation of the drive roller in the second direction pulls the second sheet into the feed changer.

21. A carton forming machine as claimed in claim 20 wherein at least one of:

the at least one upper set of guide channels comprises a fixed guide channel and a movable guide channel;

the at least one set of lower guide channels comprises a fixed guide channel and a movable guide channel;

at least one guide channel of the at least one upper set of guide channels comprises an open end; or

At least one of the guide channels of the at least one lower set of guide channels includes an open end.

22. A carton forming machine as in claim 20 wherein the inverter assembly includes a feed chute through which the sheet enters the inverter assembly, wherein the feed chute includes:

opening the open end; or

One or more notches that receive at least a portion of the at least one upper set of guide channels and the at least one lower set of guide channels.

23. A carton forming machine according to claim 22 wherein at least a portion of the at least one upper set of guide channels and at least a portion of the at least one lower set of guide channels extend into the feed chute.

24. The carton forming machine of claim 20, further comprising: one or more upper pressure rollers and one or more lower pressure rollers, wherein the first sheet is advanced through the feed changer between the active roller and the one or more upper pressure rollers, and wherein the second sheet is advanced through the feed changer between the active roller and the one or more lower pressure rollers.

25. A carton forming machine according to claim 20 wherein the one or more upper pressure rollers and the one or more lower pressure rollers are selectively movable between an active position and an inactive position, wherein:

the one or more upper pressure rollers are configured to press the first sheet against the active roller when the one or more upper pressure rollers are in the active position; and

the one or more lower pressure rollers are configured to press the second sheet against the active roller when the one or more lower pressure rollers are in the active position.

26. A case and box forming machine comprising:

a frame;

a converter assembly mounted to the frame, the converter assembly configured to perform one or more conversion functions on a sheet to convert the sheet into a cassette template as the sheet moves through the converter assembly; and

a labeler movably mounted to the frame, the labeler configured to move relative to the case template and apply a label to a desired location on the case template as the case template moves through the converter assembly.

27. A carton forming machine according to claim 26 wherein the labeler is configured to:

printing the label prior to applying the label to the carton template; or

The labeler is configured to apply the label to a predetermined wall panel or closure flap of the box template.

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for converting sheets into cassettes. More particularly, exemplary embodiments relate to carton forming machines that convert paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard (cardboard), and similar sheets into carton templates and fold and glue the carton templates to form un-erected (un-erected) cartons.

Background

The transportation and packaging industries often use cardboard and other sheet processing equipment that converts sheet material into carton forms. One advantage of this equipment is that the shipper (shipper) can prepare boxes of the desired size as needed, rather than holding stock of standard prefabricated boxes of various sizes. Thus, the shipper need not predict their requirements for a particular box size, nor need they store multiple pre-made boxes of standard sizes. Conversely, a shipper may store one or more bundles of fan folded material that may be used to create various box sizes based on the particular box size requirements at each shipment. This allows the shipper to reduce the storage space typically required by regularly used shipping supplies and to reduce the waste and costs associated with the inherently inaccurate process of predicting box size requirements (as the items shipped and their respective sizes vary from time to time).

In addition to reducing inefficiencies associated with storing multiple sizes of prefabricated boxes, creating custom-sized boxes also reduces packaging and shipping costs. In the implementation stage (full file industry), it is estimated that the transported items are usually packed in boxes that are about 65% larger than the transported items. A box that is too large for a particular item may be more expensive than a box sized for that item due to the cost of the remaining material used to make the larger box. When an item is packaged in an oversized carton, a filler material (e.g., styrofoam, foam peanuts, paper, air pillow, etc.) is typically placed in the carton to prevent the item from moving within the carton and to prevent the carton from collapsing when pressure is applied (e.g., when the carton is closed or stacked with tape). These filler materials further increase the costs associated with packaging the articles in oversized cases.

Custom sized boxes also reduce the transportation costs associated with transporting items as compared to transporting items in oversized boxes. A transport vehicle with a box 65% larger than the packaged item would run much less expensively than a transport vehicle with a box sized to fit the packaged item. In other words, a transport vehicle equipped with custom sized packaging can carry a relatively large number of packages, which can reduce the number of transport vehicles required to transport the same number of items. Thus, in addition to or as an alternative to calculating the shipping price based on the weight of the package, the shipping price is typically affected by the size of the shipping package. Thus, reducing the size of the article package may reduce the price of shipping the article. Even if the shipping price is not calculated based on the size of the package (e.g., calculated based only on the weight of the package), using custom-sized packages may reduce shipping costs because smaller custom-sized packages will weigh less than overpacks due to the use of less packaging and filling material.

While the sheet converting machines and associated equipment can potentially reduce the inconvenience associated with stocking standard sized shipments and reduce the amount of space required to store such shipments, previously available machines and associated equipment suffer from various drawbacks. For example, previously available machines have a significant footprint (footprint) and take up a significant amount of floor space. The floor space occupied by these large machines and equipment may be better used, for example, for storing goods to be transported. In addition to the large footprint, the size of previously available machines and associated equipment also makes them time consuming and expensive to manufacture, transport, install, maintain, repair and replace.

In addition, previous carton forming systems require the use of multiple machines and a significant amount of manual labor. For example, a typical box forming system includes a converting machine that cuts, scores, and/or folds the sheet material to form a box template. Once the template is formed, the operator removes the template from the conversion machine and creates a manufacturer's join in the template. The manufacturer's joint is where the two opposite ends of the template are joined to each other. This may be done manually and/or using additional machinery. For example, an operator may apply glue (e.g., with a glue gun) to one end of the form, and may fold the form to join the opposing ends together with the glue therebetween. Alternatively, the operator may at least partially fold the template and insert the template into a gluing machine that applies glue to one end of the template and joins the two opposing ends together. In either case, a significant amount of operator involvement is required. In addition, the use of a separate laminator complicates the system and can significantly increase the size of the overall system.

It would therefore be advantageous to have a relatively small and simple case forming machine that can form case panels and fold and glue the panels in a continuous process without requiring significant manual labor.

Disclosure of Invention

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for converting sheets into cassettes. More particularly, exemplary embodiments relate to carton forming machines that convert paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, and similar sheets into carton templates and fold and glue the carton templates to form an unoriented carton.

For example, one embodiment of a carton forming machine includes a converter assembly, a folding assembly, and an attachment assembly. The converter assembly is configured to perform one or more conversion functions on the sheet material to convert the sheet material into a cassette template. The folding assembly is configured to engage the first end of the carton template and move the first end of the carton template to a predetermined position. The attachment assembly is configured to engage the second end of the box template and move the second end of the box template toward and into engagement with the first end of the box template.

According to another embodiment, a case former includes a converter assembly mounted on a frame. The converter assembly is configured to perform one or more conversion functions on the sheet material to convert the sheet material into a cassette template. The folding assembly is configured to engage the first end of the carton template and move the first end of the carton template to a predetermined position. The folding assembly includes a folding head having a folding plate and a first clamp (clamp), between which a first end of the carton template may be selectively clamped. The folding head is movably connected to the frame to enable the first end of the carton template to be moved to a predetermined position. The attachment assembly is configured to engage the second end of the box template and move the second end of the box template toward and into engagement with the first end of the box template. The attachment assembly includes an attachment head having one or more attachment mechanisms for selectively attaching to the second end of the carton template. The attachment head is movably connected to the frame to enable the second end of the carton template to move toward and engage the first end of the carton template.

According to another embodiment, a carton former includes a converter assembly and a feed changer. The feed changer is configured to direct different sheets into the converter assembly. The feed changer includes at least one set of upper guide channels configured to guide the first sheet into the feed changer and at least one set of lower guide channels configured to guide the second sheet into the feed changer. The feed changer also includes an active roller configured to pull the first sheet or the second sheet into the feed changer. The drive roller is configured to rotate in a first direction and in a second direction. Rotation of the drive roller in a first direction pulls a first sheet into the feed changer and rotation of the drive roller in a second direction pulls a second sheet into the feed changer.

Another embodiment includes a carton forming machine having a frame, a converter assembly, and a labeler (labeller). A converter assembly is mounted to the frame and is configured to perform one or more conversion functions on the sheet material to convert the sheet material into a cassette template as the sheet material moves through the converter assembly. The labeler is movably mounted to the frame and is configured to move relative to the carton template and apply a label to a desired location on the carton template as the carton template moves through the converter assembly.

These and other objects and features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure as set forth hereinafter.

Drawings

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrative embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a case former as part of a system for forming cases from sheet material;

FIG. 2 shows a first side view of a feed changer of the case forming machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a second side view of the feed changer of the case former of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a first side view of the inverter assembly of the case forming machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a second side view of the inverter assembly of the case forming machine of FIG. 1;

figure 6 shows a perspective view of the folding assembly of the box forming machine of figure 1;

FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of the folding head of the folding assembly of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 7B-7E illustrate the folding head of FIG. 7A interacting with a carton template;

figure 8 shows a perspective view of an attachment assembly of the box-forming machine of figure 1;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the attachment head of the attachment assembly of FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10 and 11 show partial views of the attachment head of the attachment assembly of FIG. 8;

12A-12D illustrate the attachment head of FIG. 8 interacting with a carton template; and

fig. 13A to 13I show another embodiment of a box forming machine interacting with a box template.

Detailed Description

Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems, methods, and apparatuses for processing and converting sheet material into cassettes. More particularly, the described embodiments relate to a carton forming machine that converts sheet material (e.g., paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard) into a carton template and folds and glues the carton template to form an unoriented carton.

While the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to particular configurations, these descriptions are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various modifications may be made to the illustrated construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For a better understanding, like parts are marked throughout the several views with the same reference numerals.

As used herein, the term "bundle" refers to a batch of sheets that are substantially rigid in at least one direction and can be used to make a carton template. For example, such a bundle may be formed from a continuous sheet of material or any particular length of sheet material, such as corrugated board and paperboard sheet. Furthermore, the bundles may have a stock material which is substantially flat and folded or wound on a reel.

As used herein, the term "carton template" refers to a substantially flat supply of stock material that is foldable into a carton-like shape. The carton template may have notches, cuts, dividers (divides), and/or creases (creases) that allow the carton template to be bent and/or folded into a carton. Further, the carton template may be made of any suitable material known to those skilled in the art. For example, paperboard or corrugated board may be used as the carton template material. Suitable materials may also have any thickness and weight that allows it to be bent and/or folded into a boxlike shape.

As used herein, the term "crease" refers to a line along which the carton template may be folded. For example, the crease may be an indentation (indentation) in the carton template material that may facilitate folding of portions of the carton template that are separated relative to each other by the crease. Suitable indentations may be created by applying sufficient pressure to reduce the thickness of the material at the desired location and/or by removing some of the material along the desired location (e.g., by scoring).

The terms "notch", "cut" and "cut" may be used interchangeably herein and refer to a shape that is created by removing material from a template, or by separating portions of a template to create a separate region through the template material.

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a system 100 that may be used to create a case. The system 100 includes bundles 102a, 102b of sheets 104. The system 100 also includes a feeder assembly 106 that helps to guide the sheet 104 into the box former 108. As described in more detail below, the carton former 108 includes a feed changer 110, an inverter assembly 112, a folding assembly 114, and an attachment assembly 116. The feed changer 110, the converter assembly 112, the folding assembly 114, and the attachment assembly 116 are mounted on or connected to a frame 117.

Generally, the feed changer 110 is configured to advance sheets 104 from a desired bundle 102a, 102b into the converter assembly 112. The bundles 102a, 102b may be formed from sheets 104 having different characteristics (e.g., width, length, thickness, stiffness, color, etc.) from one another. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the width of bundle 102a may be less than the width of bundle 102 b. Thus, it may be desirable to use the sheets 104 from the bundle 102a to form a smaller box, thereby wasting fewer sheets.

After the sheet 104 passes through the infeed changer 110, the sheet 104 passes through a converter assembly 112 in which one or more conversion functions are performed on the sheet 104 to form a cassette template from the sheet 104. The converting function may include cutting, creasing, bending, folding, perforating, and/or scoring the sheet 104 to form a carton template from the sheet.

The folding assembly 114 engages the leading end of the sheet 104/cassette template as the cassette template exits the inverter assembly 112. The folding assembly 114 moves and reorients the leading end of the sheet 104/carton template to a known position where glue is applied to the leading end of the sheet 104/carton template. In some embodiments, while the converter assembly 112 continues to perform the conversion function on the sheet 104 to complete the cassette template, the folding assembly 114 begins to move/reorient the leading edge of the sheet 104/cassette template.

While the front end of the box template is moved/reoriented and glue is applied to the front end of the box template, the remainder of the box template is pushed out of the converter assembly 112. At this point, the attachment assembly 116 engages the trailing end of the carton template. The trailing end of the carton template and the leading end of the carton template are then brought together and joined or attached to one another by glue previously applied to the leading end of the carton template (to create the manufacturer's joint). After the leading and trailing ends of the carton template are attached together, the folded and glued carton template is the unorthodox carton. The non-erected box is then released from the box forming machine 108 and may be erected into a box.

Attention is now directed to fig. 2 and 3, which illustrate the feed changer 110 in more detail. For clarity and ease of illustration, fig. 2 and 3 show the feed changer 110 without the remainder of the box former 108. Sheet 104 enters the feed changer 110 from a first or inlet side of the feed changer shown in fig. 2. Sheet 104 exits the feed changer 110 from a second or outlet side of the feed changer as shown in fig. 3.

As seen in fig. 2, the feed changer 110 may include one or more guide channels 118(118a-118 h). The guide channel 118 may be configured to flatten (flatten) the sheet 104 in order to convey a substantially flat sheet through the converter assembly 112. As shown, for example, each guide channel 118 includes opposing upper and lower guide plates that are spaced apart sufficiently to allow sheet 104 to pass between them, but close together sufficiently to flatten sheet 104. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2, the upper and lower guide plates may be flared (flared) or further spaced apart at the open end to facilitate insertion of the sheet 104 between the upper and lower guide plates.

Some of the guide channels 118 may be held or fixed in a fixed position along the width of the feed changer 110, while other guide channels 118 are capable of moving along at least a portion of the width of the feed changer 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the feed changer 110 includes movable guide channels 118b, 118c, 118f, 118g and fixed guide channels 118a, 118d, 118e, 118 h. More specifically, the stationary guide channels 118a, 118d, 118e, 118h may be fixed in positions proximate opposite sides of the feed changer 110. The movable guide channels 118b, 118c, 118f, 118g are provided between the feed changer 110 and the left and right sides of the fixed guide channels 118a, 118d, 118e, 118h such that the movable guide channels 118b, 118c, 118f, 118g can move back and forth between the feed changer 110 and the opposite sides of the fixed guide channels 118a, 118d, 118e, 118 h.

The movable guide channels 118b, 118c, 118f, 118g are movable so that the feed changer 110 can accommodate sheets 104 of different widths. For example, when a narrower sheet 104 is switched, the movable guide path 118b can be closer to the fixed guide path 118a than when a wider sheet 104 is switched. And when a wider sheet 104 is switched, the movable guide path 118b may move away from the fixed guide path 118a so that the wider sheet 104 may pass between the guide paths 118a, 118 b. Similarly, the movable guide channel 118c may be movable relative to the fixed guide channel 118d to accommodate sheets 104 of different widths. Likewise, the movable guide channels 118f, 118g may move relative to the fixed guide channels 118e, 118h, respectively, to accommodate sheets 104 of different widths.

The movable guide channels 118b, 118c, 118f, 118g may be biased toward their respective fixed guide channels 118a, 118d, 118e, 118h so that regardless of how wide the sheet 104 is, each set of movable guide channels and fixed guide channels 118 will be appropriately spaced to guide the sheet 104 in a straight line through the feed changer 110. The movable guide channels 118b, 118c, 118f, 118g may be biased toward the fixed guide channels 118a, 118d, 118e, 118h by a spring or other resilient mechanism.

In the illustrated embodiment, the feed changer 110 includes four sets of guide channels 118 (e.g., fixed guide channel 118a and movable guide channel 118 b; movable guide channel 118c and fixed guide channel 118 d; fixed guide channel 118e and movable guide channel 118 f; movable guide channel 118g and fixed guide channel 118h) that guide lengths of sheet material 104 into the feed changer 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the groups of guide channels 118 are arranged in a pattern of two columns and two rows. One row includes guide channel sets 118a, 118b and 118c, 118d, while the second row includes guide channel sets 118e, 118f and 118g, 118 h. Similarly, one column includes set of pilot channels 118a, 118b and set of pilot channels 118e, 118f, while the second column includes set of pilot channels 118c, 118d and set of pilot channels 118g, 118 h.

The guide channel groups located in the same row are horizontally offset from each other and vertically aligned with each other. Conversely, the groups of guide channels located in the same column are vertically offset from each other and may be at least partially aligned with each other. For example, the fixed guide channels 118a, 118e are horizontally aligned and vertically offset from each other. Because they are movable to accommodate sheets 104 of different widths, the movable guide channels 118b, 118f may or may not be vertically aligned with each other. Similarly, the movable guide channels 118fc, 118g may or may not be vertically aligned with each other.

Although the feed changer 110 is shown and described with four sets of guide channels in a 2 x 2 arrangement, it should be understood that the feed changer 110 may include one or more sets of guide channels in one or more rows and one or more columns for conveying one or more side-by-side and/or vertically offset lengths of sheet material 104 (e.g., from multiple bundles 102) through the feed changer 110.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, feed changer 110 also includes a plurality of feed rollers that pull sheet 104 into feed changer 110 and advance sheet 104 through feed changer 110 and into changer assembly 112. More specifically, the illustrated embodiment includes an active feed roll 120 and a plurality of pressure feed rolls 122 (e.g., top pressure feed roll 122a, bottom pressure feed roll 122 b). The active feed rollers 120 may be actively rolled by an actuator or motor to advance the sheet material 104. Although the pressure feed rollers 122 are not typically actively rolled by an actuator, the pressure feed rollers 122 may still roll to help propel the sheet 104.

The active feed rollers 120 are fixed to the feed changer 110 such that the active feed rollers 120 remain in substantially the same position. Conversely, at least some of the pressure feed rollers 122 may move along at least a portion of the width of the feed changer 110. For example, depending on the size of the cassette template being formed, the pressure feed rollers 122 may be moved closer together or further apart to help advance the sheet 104 in a generally linear direction.

In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, each pressure feed roller 122 is connected to or otherwise associated with the guide channel 118. Accordingly, the pressure feed rollers 122 associated with the movable guide channels 118b, 118c, 118f, 118g move with the movement of the movable guide channels 118b, 118c, 118f, 118 g. For example, if the movable guide channel 118b is moved to accommodate a wider or narrower length of sheet material 104, the pressure feed roller 122a associated with the guide channel 118b will move to align with the wider or narrower length of sheet material 104.

In the illustrated embodiment, there is a top pressure feed roller 122a and a bottom pressure feed roller 122 b. The top pressure feed roller 122a is disposed substantially vertically above the active feed roller 120, and the bottom pressure feed roller 122b is disposed substantially vertically below the active feed roller 120. The positioning of the top and bottom pressure feed rollers 122a and 122b and the direction of rotation of the active feed rollers 120 allows sheets 104 from different bundles 102 to be advanced through the feed changer 110.

For example, if the active feed rollers 120 are rotated in a first direction (i.e., the top surface of the active feed rollers 120 are rotated in a direction generally from the inlet side of the feed changer 110 shown in FIG. 2 toward the outlet side of the feed changer 110 shown in FIG. 3), the sheet 104 disposed between the top one or two sets of guide channels (i.e., the fixed guide channel 118a and the movable guide channel 118 b; the movable guide channel 118c and the fixed guide channel 118d) will be advanced through the feed changer 110. Conversely, if the active feed rollers 120 are rotated in a second direction (i.e., the bottom surface of the active feed rollers 120 are rotated in a direction generally from the inlet side of the feed changer 110 shown in FIG. 2 toward the outlet side of the feed changer 110 shown in FIG. 3), the sheet 104 disposed between the bottom one or two sets of guide channels (fixed guide channel 118e and movable guide channel 118 f; movable guide channel 118g and fixed guide channel 118h) will be advanced through the feed changer 110. Thus, by simply changing the direction of rotation of the active feed rollers 120, sheets 104 from different bundles 102 can be selected and advanced through the feed changer 110.

In some embodiments, the pressure feed roller 122 is movable between an active (active) position and an inactive (inactive) position. In the inactive position, the pressure feed rollers 122 may not press the sheet 104 against the active feed rollers 120 (or at least not have sufficient pressure) to allow the active feed rollers 120 to advance the sheet 104. Conversely, when the pressure feed roller 122 is moved to the active position, the pressure feed roller 122 may press the sheet 104 against the active feed roller 120 with sufficient pressure so that the active feed roller 120 advances the sheet 104.

Turning attention now to fig. 4 and 5, the converter assembly 112 is shown in greater detail in fig. 4 and 5. For clarity and ease of illustration, fig. 4 and 5 show the converter assembly 112 without the remainder of the box former 108. The sheet 104 enters the converter assembly 112 shown in fig. 4 from a first or entrance side thereof. The sheet 104 exits the transducer assembly 112 from a second or outlet side as shown in fig. 5.

In the illustrated embodiment, converter assembly 112 includes a feed slot 124 on a first side thereof. As the sheet 104 exits the feed changer 110, the feed chute 124 receives the sheet 104 and directs the sheet 104 into the converter assembly 112. In the illustrated embodiment, feed chute 124 has an open end to facilitate guiding sheet material 104 into the converter assembly. Feed chute 124 also includes one or more notches 125. The one or more notches 125 can at least partially receive the ends of the fixed guide channels 118a, 118d, 118e, 118h therein (the ends opposite their open ends). Thus, the ends of the fixed guide channels 118a, 118d, 118e, 118h may extend at least partially into the feed chute 124. Extending the fixed guide channels 118a, 118d, 118e, 118h into the feed chute 124 can facilitate a smooth transition of the sheet material 104 from the feed changer 110 to the converter assembly 112. For example, the stationary guide channels 118a, 118d, 118e, 118h may maintain the sheet 104 in a flat configuration as the sheet enters the feed chute 124, thereby reducing or eliminating the possibility of the sheet 104 becoming jammed in the transition from the infeed changer 110 to the changer assembly 112.

After passing through feed chute 124, sheet 104 is engaged by active feed rollers 126. The drive feed roller 126 rotates to advance the sheet 104 through the converter assembly 112. As the sheet 104 is advanced through the converter assembly 112, one or more conversion tools 128 perform conversion functions (e.g., creasing, bending, folding, perforating, cutting, scoring) on the sheet 104 to create a packaging template from the sheet 104. Some of the converting functions may be performed on the sheet 104 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement and/or length of the sheet 104. In other words, some conversion function may be performed across the sheet 104 (e.g., between the two sides). Such a transition may be considered a "lateral transition". Conversely, some of the converting functions may be performed on the sheet 104 in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement and/or length of the sheet 104. Such a conversion may be considered a "vertical conversion". Additional details regarding a conversion tool that may be used in the converter assembly 112, including structure and function, are disclosed in U.S. patent publication No. 2015/0018189 entitled "CONVERTING MACHINE" (the' 189 application), published on 15/1/2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Some of the converting functions may include cutting excess material from the sheet 104. For example, if the sheet 104 is wider than required to form the desired carton template, a portion of the width of the sheet 104 may be cut by a conversion tool. Excess material or trim portion (trim) may be diverted out of the diverter assembly 112 by one or more diverter tools 130. As shown in fig. 5, the diverter tool 130 includes a beveled surface that redirects the trimmed portion through a bottom or lower opening in the shifter assembly 112. As a result, the trim portion does not exit the second or outlet side of the diverter assembly 112 as does the box template. Rather, the trim portion is directed out of the shifter assembly 112 prior to the exit side of the shifter assembly, such that the trim portion separates from the completed carton template.

As discussed in the' 189 application, the converting tool may be repositioned along the width of the web 104 to perform the converting function at a desired location along the width of the web 104. Thus, for example, the converting tool 128 shown in FIG. 5 may be repositioned along the width of the converter assembly 112 to cut the sheet 104 at a desired location to remove a desired trim portion therefrom.

The diverter tool 130 may be connected to or associated with one of the converting tools 128 (e.g., a cutting wheel or knife) and the converting tool 128 cuts the trim portion from the sheet material 104. As a result, when the converting tool 128 is moved to a desired position to cut a desired amount of trim portion from the sheet material 104, the diverter tool 130 is moved with the converting tool 128 such that the diverter tool 130 is properly positioned to redirect the trim portion cut from the converter assembly 112.

A label or other identifier may be applied to the sheet 104 (at least partially formed carton template) during advancement through the converter assembly 112. For example, as shown in fig. 5, the transducer assembly 112 may include a labeler 132 movably mounted thereon. Labeler 132 may be movable between opposite sides of converter assembly 112 and may apply labels to at least partially formed case templates. Because there may be multiple side-by-side tracks for processed sheets 104 through the converter assembly 112, and because the cassette templates differ in size, the label 132 needs to be able to be applied at multiple locations along the width of the converter assembly.

The control system may control the operation of the box forming machine 108. More specifically, the control system may control the movement and/or position of various components of the box forming machine 108. For example, the control system may control the rotational direction of the active feed rollers 120 in order to select a desired sheet material 104 and the positioning of the converting tool 128 to perform the converting function at a desired location on the sheet material 104.

Similarly, the control system may control the operation of the labeler 132. For example, the control system may cause labeler 132 to print and apply labels to particular case templates. For example, during formation of a cassette template to be used to deliver a particular order to a particular delivery address, the control system may cause the labeler 132 to print the desired information (e.g., delivery address, packing slip, etc.) on the label. As the case template moves through the converter assembly 112, the control system may cause the labeler 132 to move over the case template and apply a label to the case template.

In some embodiments, labeler 132 applies labels to the case template as it moves through converter assembly 112, which may reduce the time required to form and mark the case template. However, in other embodiments, the movement of the carton template through the switch assembly 112 may be paused long enough for the labeler 132 to apply the label.

The control system may also monitor the position and operation of the various components of the box forming machine 108 to enable the labeler 132 to apply labels to desired locations on the box templates. For example, the control system may monitor the rotational speed of the drive rollers 120, 126. The rotational speed of the rollers 120, 126 may be used to determine the speed at which the sheet 104 moves through the box former 108. Similarly, the control system may monitor the position of the converting tool and/or when to actuate the converting tool to perform the converting function on the sheet 104.

For a standard carton template, the converting tool creates cuts and creases in the sheet 104 to define different portions of the carton template. Different portions of the carton template may include wall portions and a closure flap portion (closure flap section). By monitoring the operation and/or position of the components of the box forming machine 108, the control system may move the labeler 132 and cause the labeler 132 to apply the label at a particular time such that the label is applied to a particular location or area on the box template. For example, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to have a label applied to a particular wall or closure flap. By monitoring the position and/or operation of the components of the box forming machine 108, the control system is able to direct the labeler 132 to an appropriate position above the box template (e.g., on the desired wall portion or closure flap) and cause the labeler to apply the label at the appropriate time (when the desired wall portion or closure flap is moved to or positioned below the labeler 132).

One or more additional feed rollers 134 are positioned near the exit or second side of the converter assembly 112. The one or more feed rollers 134 may be a drive roller (similar to rollers 120, 126) or a driven roller (similar to roller 122). One or more feed rollers 134 may help guide the carton template out of the converter assembly 112. More specifically, one or more feed rollers 134 may press the carton template against an outfeed plate 136 so that the carton template exits the converter assembly 112 in a known direction and/or position.

Attention is now directed to fig. 6-7E, which illustrate the folding assembly 114 in greater detail. For clarity and ease of illustration, fig. 6-7E show the folding assembly 114 without the remainder of the box-forming machine 108. Further, fig. 7B-7E illustrate a simplified version of a portion of the folding assembly 114 and the interaction with the carton template. The folding assembly 114 engages the carton template formed from the sheet 104 as the carton template exits the converter assembly 112. As discussed in more detail below, the folding assembly 114 is configured to engage and move and/or reorient a first end of the carton template so that glue may be applied thereto and so that a second end of the carton template may be attached to the first end.

As seen in fig. 6, folding assembly 114 includes first and second subframes 138, 140 and a folding head 142. The first subframe 138 is slidably and/or pivotally mounted to the frame 117 (fig. 1). For example, the first subframe 138 may include one or more rails, recesses, grooves, etc. that interact with one or more rail clips connected to the frame 117 to allow the first subframe 138 to slide over and/or pivot relative to the one or more rail clips. The rail clip may be fixedly secured to the frame 117. Similarly, the second subframe 140 may be slidably and/or pivotally mounted to the first subframe 138 via one or more rail clamps 144. For example, the second subframe 140 may include one or more rails, recesses, grooves, etc. that interact with one or more rail clips 144 connected to the first subframe 138 to allow the second subframe 140 to slide over the one or more rail clips 144 on the first subframe 138 and/or pivot relative to the one or more rail clips on the first subframe.

The movable nature of first subframe 138 and second subframe 140 enables folding head 142 to move through a variable range of motion in the X-Y field. As a result, the folding head 142 may move vertically up and down and/or horizontally closer to the transducer assembly 112 and further away from the transducer assembly 112 relative to the transducer assembly 112.

Folding head 142 is movably mounted on second subframe 140, except that movement of first subframe 138 and second subframe 140 may be used for movement of folding head 142. More specifically, as shown in fig. 6 and 7A, folding head 142 includes a shaft 148 that is rotatably mounted to second subframe 140 and that may be rotated by an actuator 150. The actuator may take various forms. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 150 includes a motor and a drive belt. Mounted on the shaft 148 is a folding plate 152 and first and second clamps 154 and 156. The first clamp 154 and the second clamp 156 may each be moved via one or more actuators.

In operation, the folding head 142 may move the outfeed plate 136 adjacent the converter assembly 112 to engage the carton template as it exits the converter assembly 112. For example, fig. 7B shows the folding head 142 positioned adjacent to the outfeed plate 136 of the converter assembly 112. Fig. 7B also shows the first end of the cassette template BT exiting the translator assembly 112. As shown, the carton template BT can be pushed out of the converter assembly 112 such that the glue tab (glue tab) GT extends beyond the edge of the outfeed panel 136 and such that the crease between the glue tab GT and the adjacent panel on the carton template BT is aligned with the edge of the outfeed panel 136.

Once the glue tab GT is so positioned (i.e., the crease is aligned with the edge of the outfeed panel 136), the folding head 142 may be rotated into engagement with the glue tab GT to fold the glue tab GT relative to the remainder of the carton template BT. Fig. 7C shows the folding head 142 rotating about the axis 148 and/or moving relative to the carton template BT to fold the adhesive tab GT. As described above, the glue tab GT is positioned by means of a crease aligned with the edge of the discharge panel 136. The alignment of the crease, and the rotation/movement of the folding head 142, causes the adhesive tab GT to predictably fold along the crease. The folding head 142 may continue to rotate and/or move (e.g., toward the converter assembly 112) until the glue tab GT folds against the rear surface of the discharge plate 136, as shown in fig. 7D.

Once the glue tab is folded, the folding plate 152 and/or the first clamp 154 may be moved from a first or open position (fig. 7A) to a second or closed position (as shown in fig. 7D). When the folding plate 152 and the first clamp 154 are in the closed position, the folded edge of the carton template BT is clamped or held between the folding plate 152 and the first clamp 154, as shown in fig. 7D. In some embodiments, the first clamp 154 clamps to the folded edge of the carton template BT about 25mm or less. In other embodiments, the first clamp 154 clamps to the folded edge of the carton template BT approximately 20mm, 15mm, 10mm or less.

The folding head 142 may then move and/or reorient the first end of the template BT as the folded edge of the template BT is clamped or held between the folding plate 152 and the first clamp 154. For example, as shown in FIG. 7E, the folding head 142 may be moved away from the exit plate 136 to pull the folded carton template BT from the exit plate 136.

In some embodiments, the edges of the take-off plate 136 (fig. 5) and the first clamp 154 (fig. 6 and 7A) include a notched configuration. More specifically, the edge of the discharge plate 136 includes a plurality of spaced notches. Similarly, the edge of the first clamp 154 that engages the carton template includes a plurality of spaced apart notches. In some embodiments, the notch on the first clamp 154 is offset from the notch on the outfeed plate 136. These offset notches may reduce the amount of friction between the carton template BT and the outfeed plate 136 as the folded carton template BT is pulled from the outfeed plate 136.

Once the first end of the carton template BT has been pulled from the take-out plate 136, the folding head 142 may move and/or reorient (via movement of the first and second subframes 138, 140 and/or rotation of the folding head 142) the first end of the carton template BT to a desired position and/or orientation. For example, as shown in FIG. 7E, the folding head 142 may be moved horizontally and vertically away from the discharge plate 136. Since the folded end of the carton template BT is clamped between the folding plate 152 and the first clamp 154, the folded end of the carton template BT can also be moved horizontally and vertically away from the discharge plate 136. As described above, horizontal and vertical movement of the folding head 142 may be achieved by movement of the first and second subframes 138, 140.

As described above, the folding head 142 may also be rotated about the shaft 148 to reorient the folded end of the carton template BT. For example, in the embodiment shown in fig. 7E, folding head 142 is shown as rotating clockwise about axis 148. As the folding head 142 rotates, the folded end of the carton template BT is reoriented. More specifically, when the folding head 142 is initially clipped onto the folded edge of the carton template BT, the exposed surface of the adhesive tab GT faces generally downward. As the folding head 142 rotates, the exposed surface of the adhesive tab GT is reoriented until it faces generally upward, as shown in the lower portion of fig. 7E.

Thus, the folding assembly 114 may fold the glue tab GT relative to the remainder of the carton template BT and clip onto the folded edge of the carton template BT. Thereafter, the folding assembly 114 may move and/or reorient the folded edge (at the first end) of the carton template BT from a first position and/or orientation (adjacent the outfeed panel 136, with the glue tab GT generally facing downward) to a second position and/or orientation (vertically below the outfeed panel 136, with the glue tab GT generally facing upward) such that the glue tab GT is positioned and oriented in a predetermined or known position and/or orientation.

As shown in fig. 7E, the second position and/or orientation may be positioned such that sizing device 157 is capable of applying glue to the exposed surface of adhesive tab GT. For example, once the folded edge of the carton template BT is in the second position and/or orientation, the glue applicator 157 may be moved relative to the glue tab GT to apply glue thereto. The glue applicator 157 may be connected to the frame 117 such that the glue applicator 157 (or a portion thereof) may be moved between opposite sides of the box former 108 to apply glue to the glue tabs GT of the box template BT.

As the folding head 142 moves and/or repositions the folded edge of the cassette template BT and glue is applied thereto, the cassette template BT may continue to be fed out of the inverter assembly 112. As will be discussed in more detail below, the movement/reorientation of the folded edge of the cassette template BT and the additional ejection of the cassette template BT from the translator assembly 112 may cause the cassette template BT to fold in half.

Once the second end of the cassette template BT reaches the exit side of the translator assembly 112, the attachment assembly 116 engages the second end of the cassette template BT. With the second end of the cassette template BT engaged, the attachment assembly 116 moves and/or reorients the second end of the cassette template BT into engagement with the first end thereof to attach the first and second ends of the cassette template BT together.

As shown in fig. 8, the attachment assembly includes first and second subframes 158, 160 and an attachment head 162. In the illustrated embodiment, the first subframe 158 may be slidably and/or pivotally mounted to the frame 117 via one or more rail clamps 163 (fig. 1). As with the first subframe 138, the first subframe 158 may include one or more rails, recesses, grooves, etc. that interact with the one or more rail clamps 163 to allow the first subframe 158 to slide over and/or pivot relative to the one or more rail clamps 163 and to allow the first subframe 158 to slide and/or pivot relative to the frame 117.

The second subframe 160 is slidably mounted to the first subframe 158 via one or more rail clamps 164. The second subframe 160 may slide and/or pivot relative to the first subframe 158 via rail clamps 164. Further, the second subframe 160 may be selectively extended via one or more extension mechanisms 166. One or more extension mechanisms 166 can be selectively extended or retracted to move the attachment head 162.

The movable nature of the first and second subframes 158, 160 (including the extension/retraction of the one or more extension mechanisms 166) enables the attachment head 162 to move through a range of motion in the X-Y field. As a result, the attachment head 162 may move vertically up and down and/or horizontally closer to the transducer assembly 112 and further away from the transducer assembly 112 relative to the transducer assembly 112.

The attachment head 162 is movably mounted on the second subframe 160, except that movement of the first and second subframes 158, 160 may be used for movement of the attachment head 162. More specifically, the attachment head 162 includes a shaft 168 that is rotatably mounted to the second subframe 160 and that may be rotated by an actuator.

As can be seen in fig. 9-11, the attachment head 162 may include one or more guides 170. One or more guides 170 may be provided on one or both sides of the attachment head 162. One or more guides 170 may help align the cassette template BT with respect to the attachment head 162.

The attachment head 162 may also include one or more attachment mechanisms 172. For example, as shown in fig. 9-11, attachment head 162 may include attachment mechanism 172a and/or attachment mechanism 172 b. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment mechanism 172a is slidably mounted on the shaft 168 such that the attachment mechanism 172a can be moved closer to or away from the cassette template BT. For example, fig. 10 shows the attachment mechanism 172a in a retracted position on the shaft 168. In the retracted position, the clamp 174 of the attachment mechanism 172a is positioned outside of the guide 170 such that the attachment mechanism 172a is not aligned with the cassette template BT. Conversely, fig. 11 shows the attachment mechanism 172a in an engaged position on the shaft 168. In the engaged position, the clamp 174 of the attachment mechanism 172a extends beyond the guide 170 (inner) toward the middle of the attachment head 162 such that the clamp 174 aligns in width or at least partially overlaps with the carton template BT.

In addition to the attachment mechanism 172a being movable on the shaft 168 between a retracted position and an engaged position, the clamp 174 may be selectively extended or retracted to engage or release a portion of the cassette template BT. In fig. 10, for example, clamp 174 extends away from shaft 168. As a result, when the attachment mechanism 172a is moved from the retracted position shown in fig. 10 to the engaged position shown in fig. 11, the clamp 174 may be positioned below the cassette template BT such that the cassette template BT is positioned between the clamp 174 and another portion of the attachment head 162. Once the cassette template BT is positioned between the clamp 174 and another portion of the attachment head 162, the clamp 174 may be moved to the engaged position to clamp the cassette template BT between the clamp 174 and another portion of the attachment head 162, as shown in fig. 11.

In some embodiments, the surface of the clamp 174 that engages the cassette template BT may be configured to engage the cassette template BT in a secure and/or non-slip manner. For example, the clamp 174 may include a rubber or other non-slip surface. The clamp 174 may also or alternatively include one or more tabs (e.g., set screws or nails) that engage the cassette template BT to ensure a secure connection therewith.

In some embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the attachment mechanism 172a, the cassette template BT may be engaged and selectively attached to the attachment head 162 by an attachment mechanism 172 b. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment mechanism 172b includes one or more vacuum heads. As shown in fig. 11, one or more vacuum heads may engage the planar surface of the cassette template BT and use negative pressure to selectively secure the cassette template BT to the attachment head 162.

As can be seen most clearly in fig. 9, the attachment mechanism 172b may comprise an array of vacuum heads, the vacuum heads in the array being aligned in one or more rows. The illustrated embodiment includes two rows of vacuum heads, but the attachment mechanism 172b may also include a single row or more than two rows of vacuum heads. Further, the illustrated embodiment shows multiple rows of vacuum heads offset from each other. Offsetting the rows of vacuum heads helps ensure that the vacuum heads are in fixed contact with the cassette template BT. For example, the carton template BT may include various creases, scores, or other surface irregularities (features) that may make it difficult for a vacuum head to be securely attached to the carton template BT. In this case, the offset vacuum head can securely engage another portion of the carton template BT that is free of such creases, scores, or other surface irregularities.

Once the cassette template BT has been fed out of the translator assembly 112 and the attachment head 162 has engaged the second end of the cassette template BT (e.g., via the attachment mechanisms 172a and/or 172b), the attachment assembly 116 may move the second end of the cassette template BT into engagement with the first end thereof. For example, the upper portion of fig. 12A shows the attachment head 162 engaged with the second end of the cassette template BT adjacent the outfeed plate 136. Thus, the attachment head 162 may be moved vertically and/or horizontally relative to the translator assembly 112 to engage the second end of the cassette template BT with the first end thereof. As shown in fig. 12A, for example, the attachment head 162 may move the cassette template BT vertically as well as horizontally. As described above, horizontal and/or vertical movement of the attachment head 162 may be achieved by movement of the first subframe 158 and/or the second subframe 160. In addition, the attachment head 162 may be rotated about the axis 168 to reorient the second end of the cassette template BT as it moves toward its first end.

As shown in fig. 12B, the attachment head 162 may engage the second end of the cassette template BT with the first end of the cassette template BT such that the two ends of the cassette template BT are substantially parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the attachment head 162 may align an edge of the second end of the cassette template BT with the first clamp 154 of the folding head 142. As can be seen in fig. 12B, the second end of the carton template BT does not completely cover the glue tab GT due to the position of the first clamp 154 on top of a portion of the glue tab GT.

With the second end of the cassette template BT so positioned on top of the first end of the cassette template BT, the second clamp 156 of the folding head 142 may be moved from the open position shown in fig. 12B to the closed position shown in fig. 12C. Moving the second clamp 156 to the closed position compresses the second end of the carton template BT, the glue tab GT, and glue applied to the glue tab GT by the glue applicator 157 between the second clamp 156 and the folding plate 152, as shown in fig. 12C. Such compression helps to ensure that the second end of the carton template BT and the glue tab GT are secured together with glue.

Once the ends of the cassette template BT are secured together, the first clamp 154 and the second clamp 156 are released. The attachment head 162 may also release the cassette template BT to allow the cassette template BT to be removed from the cassette molding machine 108. In some embodiments, once the first and second clamps 154, 156 are released, the attachment head 162 may move the cassette template BT away from the folding head 142 and to a position where the cassette template BT may be easily removed from the cassette forming machine 108. For example, as shown in fig. 12D, the attachment head 162 may be rotated and moved (via movement of the subframes 158, 160) about an axis 168 to position the carton template BT proximate an exit location (exit point) from the carton former 108.

A comparison between fig. 12C and 12D shows that the attachment head 162 has rotated approximately 180 degrees after the folding head 142 releases the carton template BT. In other embodiments, the attachment head 162 may be rotated approximately 90 degrees after the folding head 142 releases the carton template BT. In some embodiments, the cassette template BT may be oriented substantially parallel to the outfeed plate 136 prior to rotation of the attachment head 162. After the attachment head 162 is rotated, the cassette template BT may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the outfeed plate 136.

In any event, after or during rotation of the attachment head 162, the attachment head 162 may then move the pod template BT toward an exit location (e.g., an opening, slot, etc. in the machine 108) through which the pod template BT may be ejected or removed from the pod forming machine 108. During such movement, one or more of the plurality of attachment mechanisms 172 may continue to secure the cassette template BT to the attachment head 162 such that the cassette template BT rotates and moves with the attachment head 162.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 12D, one or more sets of opposing rollers 204, 206 may be positioned adjacent to an exit location of the machine 108. The opposing rollers 204, 206 may be actuated to send the cassette template BT out of the machine 108. For example, roller 204 may be advanced toward roller 206 and rotated to bring the carton template BT out of machine 108. In other embodiments, roller 206 may be urged toward roller 204, or roller 204 and roller 206 may be urged toward each other. In any case, one or more of the rollers 204, 206 may be a drive roller (e.g., rotated by a motor or the like) that pushes the carton template BT out of the carton former 108.

In some cases, the cassette template BT may not be laid flat even after the ends of the cassette template BT have been secured together. For example, the panels of the cassette template BT may be separated from each other. This may be caused by a fold in the sheet 104 used to form the carton template BT. As described above, the sheets 104 are folded to be stacked in a bundle 102 before being used to form the box template BT. While the folds formed in the sheets 104 may allow the sheets 104 to be stacked into the bundle 102, such folds may also result in the formed carton template BT not being laid flat as desired.

To planarize the cassette template BT before it is fed out by the rollers 204, 206, the cassette template BT may be advanced through an outfeed guide channel 208, as shown in fig. 12D. The outfeed guide channel 208 may gradually flatten the cassette template BT so that the cassette template BT does not form additional creases in the cassette template BT as it is fed out by the rollers 204, 206.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outfeed guide channel 208 includes an inclined plate 210. The swash plate 210 is positioned opposite the attachment head 162 (as the attachment head 162 rotates and moves toward the exit position of the machine 108, as shown in fig. 12D) such that the cassette template BT is positioned between the attachment head 162 and the swash plate 210. The ramp plate 210 is angled toward the attachment head 162 such that advancement of the cassette template BT along the ramp plate 210 causes the cassette template BT to be fed toward the attachment head 162.

The outfeed guide channel 208 may also include one or more guides 212. In the illustrated embodiment, these guides are mounted on the attachment head 162 such that the guide 212 moves with the attachment head 162. Each guide 212 includes an arcuate or beveled frame 214. The frame 214 is arranged such that the frame 214 and the swash plate 210 cooperate to form a tapered channel. In other words, the shape and orientation of the swash plate 210 and the beveled frame 214 are such that the channel formed therebetween is tapered. As the cassette template BT is advanced between the ramp plate 210 and the angled frame 214 and out of the exit position of the machine 108, the tapered channel formed by the ramp plate 210 and the angled frame 214 gradually flattens the cassette template BT.

In some embodiments, the ramp 210 and/or the beveled frame 214 may include one or more wheels to help advance the cassette template BT through the tapered channel. For example, fig. 12D shows wheels 216 mounted on the frame 214. As the carton template BT is pushed out of the carton former 108, the wheels 216 may rotate to reduce friction between the frame 214 and the carton template BT.

Once the rollers 204, 206 engage the cassette template BT, the attachment head 162 may release the cassette template BT. In particular, the attachment mechanism 172 may disengage the cassette template BT, allowing the rollers 204, 206 to push the cassette template BT out of the machine 108.

Attention is now directed to fig. 13A-13I, which illustrate portions of an alternative embodiment of the case forming machine 108 a. The carton former 108a may be similar or identical to the carton former 108 in many respects. Therefore, the following description of the box forming machine 108a will focus primarily on features that are different from the box forming machine 108. It should be understood, however, that the various features of the box forming machines 108, 108a may be interchanged with one another.

As shown in fig. 13A-13I, the box forming machine 108a includes a converter assembly 112a, a folding assembly 114a, and an attachment assembly 116 a. After the converter assembly 112a performs one or more conversion functions on the fan folded material to convert it to the carton template BT, the carton template BT is fed out of the converter assembly 112a adjacent the outfeed plate 136 a. As shown in fig. 13B, the cassette template BT is fed out of the converter assembly 112a until the fold is aligned with the edge of the outfeed plate 136 a.

Once the glue tab GT crease is aligned with the edge of the outfeed panel 136a, the folding assembly 114a engages the carton template BT to fold the glue tab GT relative to the remainder of the carton template BT. For example, as shown in fig. 13C, the folding assembly 114a may be moved vertically and/or horizontally to engage the adhesive sheets GT. More specifically, as shown in fig. 13C-13D, the first clamp 154a of the folding assembly 114a may engage the glue tab GT to fold the glue tab GT around the ejector plate 136 a.

The folded end of the cassette template BT may be compressed between the first clamp 154a and the folding plate 152a, as shown in fig. 13D. As shown in fig. 13E-13G, the folding assembly 114a may then be moved away from the transducer assembly 112 a. In the illustrated embodiment, the folding assembly 114a is pivotable about a pivot axis. As the folding assembly 114a moves, the clamping force applied to the folded end of the carton template BT (i.e., by the folding plate 152a and the first clamp 154 a) causes the first end of the carton template BT to move and reorient with the folding assembly 114 a.

For example, a comparison between fig. 13D and 13G shows that folding assembly 114a can move and reorient the first end of the carton template from a first position and orientation adjacent to translator assembly 112a to a second position and orientation adjacent to applicator 157 a. As with the previous embodiment, once the first end of the carton template BT is in the first position and orientation, the glue tab GT faces generally downward. In the second position and orientation, adhesive tab GT generally faces upward. Once the first end of the cassette template BT is moved and reoriented to the second position and orientation, the glue applicator 157a may apply glue to the glue bond sheet GT, as shown in fig. 13G.

As the folding assembly 114a moves the first end of the box template BT and the glue applicator 157a applies glue to the glue bond sheet GT, the box template BT continues to be fed out of the converter assembly 112a as shown in fig. 13C-13G. The movement of the first end of the cassette template BT and the continued advancement of the cassette template BT causes the cassette template BT to be folded in half, as shown.

When the second end of the cassette template BT is fed out of the translator assembly 112a, the attachment assembly 116a engages the second end of the cassette template BT and may move it toward the first end of the cassette template BT. For example, fig. 13H-13I illustrate that the attachment assembly 116a moves the second end of the carton template BT from the outfeed side of the converter assembly 112a toward and into contact with the glue tab GT. In some embodiments, the attachment assembly 116a may press the second end of the carton template BT against the glue tab GT (with glue between the second end and the glue tab) to secure the two ends of the carton template BT together. In other embodiments, similar to the embodiments described above, the folding assembly 114a may include a second clamp that presses the second end of the carton template BT and the glue tab GT (with glue therebetween) together.

Once the two ends of the cassette template BT are joined together, the cassette template BT may be removed from the cassette molding machine 108 a. For example, the folding assembly 114a and the attachment assembly 116a may release their retention locations on the carton template BT. Thereafter, the cassette template BT can be freely removed from the cassette of the machine 108 a.

In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure is directed to a carton former that may perform one or more conversion functions on sheets to convert the sheets into carton templates. Further, the case-forming machine of the present disclosure may engage the first end of the case template and move the first end of the case template to a predetermined position. When engaging the first end of the carton template, the carton forming machine may fold the first portion of the carton template (e.g., the adhesive tab) relative to the second portion of the carton template. The carton forming machine may reorient the first end of the carton template to a desired orientation while moving the first end of the carton template to a predetermined position. Glue may be applied to the first end of the carton template with the first end of the carton template in a predetermined position and desired orientation.

The case forming machine of the present disclosure may also engage and move the second end of the case template into engagement with the first end of the case template. The carton forming machine may reorient the second end of the carton template to a desired orientation (e.g., parallel to the first end of the carton template) when moving the second end of the carton template into engagement with the first end of the carton template. In some embodiments, the carton forming machine may press the first and second ends of the carton template together with glue therebetween to secure the first and second ends together. Once the first and second ends of the carton template have been secured together, the carton forming machine may release the carton template or move the carton template to a desired position where it may be removed from the carton forming machine.

The above-described embodiments include folding a first end of a carton template and then engaging a second end of the carton template with the folded end of the carton template. However, it should be understood that this is merely exemplary. In other embodiments, for example, the carton former may engage the first end of the carton template without folding a portion thereof. The first end of the carton template may then be moved and/or redirected to a predetermined and desired position and location (location). The carton former may then engage the second end of the carton template. Engaging the second end of the carton template may include folding a first portion (e.g., adhesive tab) relative to another portion of the carton template. The carton forming machine may then move the folded second end of the carton template into engagement with the first end of the carton template to secure the first and second ends together.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.