DE2040585A1 - Folding device for cover - Google Patents

Description

PATENT LAWYERS

DIPL..ING. H. LEINWEBER dipl-ing. H. ZIMMERMANN

8 Munich 2, Rosental 7, 2.au ( ₀ .

Tel.-Adr. Lelnpat Munich
Telephone (0811) MIf 89

den Ί / j, ^ r ,; 370

Our sign

Z / St

SIGNODE CORPORATION,
2600 North Western Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Folding device for closure cover

The invention relates generally to an apparatus for connecting a closure lid to a container and in particular to an improved folding device for folding over flanges extending from the container lid and the body of the container.

When packing large items, such as refrigerators, ovens, etc., it was previously common to
a tubular container, which is closed at one end by a suitable closure, to put on the object and to connect a closure lid to the tubular container after this on the
Object has been put on. When connecting the closure lid to the tubular container, it has long been customary to provide at least one flange that
from the closure cap in an adjacent relationship

109815/0102

to the tubular container, and then a fastening tape or other suitable fastening means to attach to connect the lid to the container.

Lately it has been found desirable a more positive connection between the cap and the container prior to attaching the Provide fastener tape on it. Recently, for example, when packing items of the type mentioned above a tubular container has a flange with a first portion extending substantially at right angles from the tubular container extends from, and a second portion that extends from the first portion in less Distance relationship to the wall of the container extends upwards. The closure cap has a splash a first portion extending upward outside of the second portion of the container flange, a second section extending inward from the end of the first section and a third section, which extends from the end of the second section and between the second section of the container flange and the Wall of the container extends downwards. Such an arrangement was satisfactory in that it was actually eliminates the possibility of the closure cap being detached from the tubular container without to completely destroy one or both of said flanges.

However, it was previously difficult to perform the precise folding of the flanges with automatic devices O

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The invention provides an automatic folding device, which can be inserted into a packaging line and which can be easily and cheaply inserted into existing packaging lines. The folding device according to the invention comprises first and second folding elements, the spaced apart portions of a Cap flange can be brought into engagement with the flange of the tubular container, which over the second section of the cap flange has been placed.

The two elements are around at a distance from each other arranged parallel pivot axes, pivotable and through a linkage connected to the drive elements are connected to the first element from a juxtaposed Position to pivot into an overlapping position to the second element ,, the folding device also has a locking device which holds the second element in a fixed position during the above-mentioned pivoting movement of the first element and which is released when the first element is moved into the overlapping position, so that the drive elements then swivel both elements around a single swivel axis.

During this pivoting movement of the two elements, the first section of the sealing cap flange folded over the flange of the tubular container and substantially encloses the flange of the container, and operate during the second part of the pivoting movement the two folding elements together to make the folded one. Maintain the relationship of the flanges and the Flange sections continue from a position essentially

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Chen at right angles to the pipe axis in a position essentially to fold parallel to it, so that a fastening tape can then be attached there.

The invention is described below with reference to the drawing. Show in it:

Fig. 1 is a top view of a packaging line, in which the device according to the invention is inserted;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section essentially along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1j

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the folding device in its central operating position shows, and

FIG. ¹ j is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the folding device in its last operating position while the flange sections are moving away from the folding device.

In Fig. 1 is a partial top view of a packaging line 10 is shown, which has conveyor rollers 12 and 14, which are mounted in a suitable manner in a supporting structure 16, which is only partially shown. A tubular one Container 18 and a closure lid 20 can be in the direction of arrow A together with one in the loading

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ORiGINAL INSPECTED

container contained object moved to an end station be, on which the closure cap 20 at the open end of the tubular container 18 is attached. Before reaching the end station, side flanges 22 are removed a flat position parallel to the main body of the closure cap into a position perpendicular to the closure cap and substantially parallel to the wall of the tubular Folded container. However, since the folding device for the side flanges does not form part of the invention represents, a further description of the same does not appear necessary.

According to the invention, a folding device is inserted in the packaging line at the last station and serves to provide end flanges of the closure cap and the tubular container from one shown in FIG

/to

Fold position into the 'shown in Fig. 5, as follows will become clear. Since the folding device is essentially the same for each end, there is only one Device shown in the drawing and described in detail. It should be understood, however, that one to the same folding device described on the opposite one End of the tubular container is arranged to fold over the flanges of the opposite end. The folding over of both closure covers is preferably carried out at the same time.

The folding device 30 according to the invention (FIG. 2) comprises first and second folding elements or plates 32 and 34j which are each articulated on parallel pivot axes at a distance from one another and in such a way bel_iÜ. £ t. ί-.ίΓάθύ that they t ! look at 5L or 38 fold over, üit ·, fcien from. the tubular container 18 or from the

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ßAD

Extend the closure cover 20, from the position shown in FIG. 2 into the position shown in FIG. 5. For the purpose From the description it can be assumed that the planar flange 36 (Fig. i?) has a first portion 36a extending from the floor or the free end of the raw., shaped container 18 according to extends outwardly, and has a second portion 36b extending from the free end of the first portion to extends above, while the flange 38 of the closure cap a first portion 38a extending upward from the end of the closure cap 20, a second Section 38b extending inward from the end of the first section 38a and a third section 38c extending downward between the pipe wall and portion 36b. Thus, the flange of the tubular Container from a flat state to a substantially L-shaped state and the flange 38 of the Closure cap folded from a flat state into a substantially U-shaped state, wherein he the Includes L-shaped flange.

The apparatus for folding the flanges from the planar state into the final shape includes Linkage between the folding elements 32 and 34 one that these elements c * us one shown in fig can move substantially juxtaposed relationship into an overlapping relationship shown in Fig. 4, while the folding element 34 is held in a fixed position, and that the two elements as a unit from the position shown in FIG. 4 to that shown in FIG. 5 subsequently can move, with all movements being carried out by a single drive device, such as. B. a liquid motor that is connected to the connecting rods works together, as described in more detail below will.

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BADORlCiNAL

The linkage for connecting the two folding elements and for pivoting them around at a distance from one another parallel axes includes spaced apart arms or levers 40 attached to the folding member are attached and protrude from this down. The downwardly extending arms or levers 40 are near arranged at a distance from each other elements which form part of the support structure 16, and are attached thereto pivotably by means of stub shafts 42, whereby a pivot axis for the folding element 34 is formed will.

The folding element 34 also has spaced apart tabs 44 which are considered part of the levers 40 can be, while the folding element 32 has spaced apart tabs 46 which extend from a lower surface thereof and between the spaced apart tabs 44 of the folding element 34 recorded v / ground. The rag 44 and 46 are connected to one another by a pin which forms the pivot axis 48 for the folding element 32.

The folding device 30 for the flanges also has a linkage that the two elements and connects the drive device, which is connected to the linkage, to successively · the folding element 32 around the pivot axis 48 from a substantially juxtaposed position to an overlapping position in FIG to pivot with respect to the folding element 34 and then the elements as a unit around those of the stub shafts 42 formed pivot axis to move. To this end, a shaft 50 extends between the arms or levers 40 on the folding element 32 and is in bores

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which are provided in the respective arms 40. The shaft 50 has been fixedly attached to it at a distance from one another Pairs of arms 52 extending upwardly therefrom, as can be seen more clearly in Figs see is. Each spaced-apart pair of arms 52 forms a first lever of a linkage 53, which connects the two folding elements together. The second lever 54 of the linkage 53 has one end hinged to a bearing pin 56 which extends between the spaced apart arms 52, while its opposite end is received between the spaced apart tabs 46 and is hinged to this by means of a further bearing pin 58. It will thus be appreciated that levers 52 and 54 are connected to one another at their adjacent ends and are pivotable at their respective free ends on the levers 40 and the flaps 46, which are provided on the folding elements 34 and 32, respectively.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the linkage 53 has first and second positions which are respectively the Form adjacent position or the overlapping position of the two folding elements 32 and 34. These Positions are limited by stops that extend from one of the downwardly extending levers 40 and cooperate with stops provided on one of the levers 52 and 54, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment the stops delimiting the first and second positions for the linkage consist of first and second lugs 60 and 62, respectively, which extend transversely from the lever 40 and are arranged in the path of a lug 64 carried by one of the arms 52. The lugs 60 and 62 can be adjustable stop elements

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INSPECTED

66 have protruding from them, while the projection 64 is a stop element. 68 has that on him is arranged and the stop elements 66 can touch " Thus it can be seen that the stop elements 66 cooperate with the stop elements 68 and first and Limit second positions for the linkage 53.

The folding device according to the invention also has a locking device 70 with the support structure 16 and cooperates with one of the arms 40, to hold the switching element 34 in a relatively fixed position, while the folding element 32 around its Pivot axis 48 is pivoted »The locking device 70 has an arm 72, which with a find is hinged to a bolt 74 which extends from the support structure 16 extends from. The arm 72 is pivoted about the bolt 74 into a first position by a spring 76, one end of which is fixedly attached to a pin 78 which extends from the support structure 1-6, while its opposite end is connected to the arm at a point which is spaced from the bolt 74 serving as a pivot axis. the The first position for the arm 72 of the locking device is limited by a stop 80 which extends from the support structure 16 extends from and contacts the arm 72 such that the free end of the arm 72 is in the way an approach 82 is located, by means of screws 84 on lower end of the arm 40 is attached. In the in Fig. 3 the position shown, the arm 72 blocks the pivoting movement of the arm 40, which protrudes from the folding element 34, around this folding element 34 in a fixed position for one purpose which will become clear below.

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As indicated above, the locking device is designed so that it is released when the folding element 32 has been moved into an overlapping position with respect to aas folding element 34, this latter position being determined by the second position of the linkage 53. To this end, one of the levers, namely fog 52, has an arm 90 extending therefrom, with an adjustable stop element 92 being carried by the free end of arm 90. The adjustable stop member 92 is arranged in the path of the arm 72 to move this arm 72 about the bolt 74 against the action of the spring 76 when the linkage is moved to its second position (Fig. 4). In the end position of the first folding movement, the lever 54 and the arm 52 are in a substantially rectilinear, extended position and the bearing pin 56 has been moved past the center line C which extends between the shaft 50 and the bearing pin 58. The above relative position between the lever 54 and the arm 52 forms a rigid lever between the shaft 50 and the bearing pin 58 and therefore locks the folding element 32 in its position at the end of the first folding movement, so that neither the spring action of the flange of the closure cap nor any external force can open the folding element 32 and prevent accurate locking of the flanges. Due to the continued movement of the rod of the liquid motor, the above state is maintained over the second folding movement. The unlocking of the folding element 32 is achieved by reverse movement of the rod of the liquid motor. In the second position, arm 72 has its free end below lug 62 to allow relative movement of the lug with respect to the arm , as will be described in more detail below.

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.,. "> ··. * ■ · ■ * <", ORIGINAL INSPECTED

As already indicated above, the folding device has a single drive device, which extends the folding element 32 about its pivot axis 48 a substantially juxtaposed position in an overlapping position with respect to the folding element 34 and then the two elements as a unit around the pivot axis formed by the stub shaft 42 can pivot. In the embodiment shown, the drive device consists of a liquid motor 94 (Figs. 1 and 2}, which has a cylinder 96 extending from the support structure 16 is pivotably supported by means of a pin bearing 98. The liquid motor 94 has also a piston rod 100, which is at its free End carries a connecting element 102 which extends between one of the arms 52 and a further lever 104, which extends upward from shaft 50. the Levers 52 and 104 and the connecting element 102 are pivotably connected to one another by means of a pin 106, so that the extension and retraction of the liquid motor 94 movement of the lever 52 in one Manner that will become more apparent below.

Way of working

The operation of the folding device according to Invention will be described in connection with the folding over of a pair of flanges 36 and 38. It should, however be understandable that during the described pre. gangs one of the same second folding device shown a second pair of flanges 36 and 38 folded over on the opposite side of the tubular container 18 and a closure cover 20 are provided.

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J U k I.! : ■■■ - b - 12 -

The one from your tubular container 18 and your closure lid 20 existing packaging in which the item is contained is first indicated along the packaging line in the by the arrow A in FIG Moved towards a locking and securing station, a portion of which is shown in the drawing. At this station, the flanges 36 and 38, "which are originally in the flat state, are like it is shown in Fig. 2 and 3, in Fig. i? shown Folded position.

During the first part of the folding process, the first arrangement of the folding device folds the flange 38 from the position shown in FIG. 2 into that shown in FIG. 4 in order to encompass the flange 3b. This is achieved by applying fluid under pressure to the rod end of the cylinder 96 (by appropriate lines, not shown), characterized urn piston rod retract 100 and a simultaneous movement of the arms ^ 2, and a rotation of the lvelle '-jQ in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG 2. to cause. Such a counterclockwise rotation of the "shaft moves the linkage 53 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 4. During the movement of the linkage, the lever 40 is held in a fixed position by the locking device 70 in order to permit a pivoting movement of the To bring about folding element 32 from the position shown in FIG. 2 into that shown in FIG.

When the folding elements 32 and 34 are in overlapping Relationship, the linkage will be in its second position, and that of the arm 90

ORIGINAL INSPECTED

carried stop element 92 becomes the locking device have moved from the first position shown in Fig. 2 to the second position shown in Fig. 4 to to enable the pivoting movement of the second element about its pivot axis. Since the two folding elements 32 and 34 now in overlapping relationship with flanges 36 and 38 which fill the space between them, there will be a subsequent retraction of the piston rod to the cylinder 96 the entire connecting rod arrangement and move the folding elements 32 and 34 as a unit about the pivot axis formed by the shaft stubs 42 » Thus, there is a subsequent retraction of the piston rod 100 cause both the folding elements 32 and 34 and the levers 40, 46, 52 and 54 to act as a unit move about the pivot axis 42 from the position shown in FIG. 4 into the position shown in FIG.

Simultaneously with the pivoting movement of the folding elements 32 and 34 around the pivot axis 42 is the entire packaging unitj, which includes the tubular container -18, comprises the closure cap 20 and the object, from the position shown in FIG. 4 to that shown in FIG lowered (by means not shown) to cause the end of the tubular container 18, which carries the closure cover 20, between spaced guide elements 110 moves (only one is shown in the drawing) and finally the dash-dot position shown in FIG occupies. In the one shown in Fig. 5 in dash-dot lines and division is made up of FLarian 36 and 3ö in uixier position, in which the 'flange j5Ü deu larger Part of the flange 36 comprises substantially and In the

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BA0OR83INAL

both flanges have moved from a position substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tubular container into a position parallel to _o In this end position suitable securing means may, for. A sealing tape 112 is used, "earth" to secure the container lid more firmly to the tubular container. Optionally, appropriate pressure sensitive adhesive tape or other fastening means can be used to hold the flanges 36 and 38 in their final fixed position with respect to one another to hold the container and to the cap.

As it should be understood from the above description, the invention provides a simple and effective way of making a pair of flanges that are part of a packaging unit form, to engage with each other, the entire process through a single uninterrupted Movement of the drive device is performed in a direction associated with the folding device is. Also, the simplicity and relatively small cost of the various elements that make up the Form folding device according to the invention, create the possibility that such devices substantially can be used with any type of commercially available packaging units, with only minor modifications required on the unit.

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ORIGINAL JNSPECTED

Claims (1)

Patent claims: Folding device for folding adjacent flat sections of a tubular container and a closure lid into an L-shaped section extending from the container and into a U-shaped one Section that is essentially the L-shaped section comprises, wherein the flat portion of the container covers the portion of the closure lid and the portion the cap extends over the portion of the container extends out, characterized by a support structure, first and second elements (32, 34), which around pivot axes (42, 48) arranged at a distance from one another are pivotable, the first element comprising the section of the closure lid (20) extending beyond the portion of the container (18), and the second element work together with the overlapping sections may, a connecting means (40, 52, 54, 46) between the elements, which is effective to first, the elements from a substantially side-by-side relationship to a substantially overlapping one Relationship move by pivoting the first Element about the first pivot axis, while the second element is held in a fixed position, and secondly the second element and the first pivot axis to pivot about the second pivot axis to the elements as to move a unit, and a drive device (94) cooperating with the connecting means to to move the elements about the pivot axes and thereby the portion of the closure lid which extends beyond the portion of the container into overlapping Relation to the superimposed sections and to fold the superimposed sections relative to the container and to the closure lid. 1 098 1 5/0 102.-16- / f U 4 U: 'b 2 ₀ folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting device consists of a linkage (40, 53, 56), which connects the elements with the drive device, which is connected to the linkage, from a locking device (70) which is connected to the linkage cooperates to hold the second element in a fixed position while the first element is pivoted about the first pivot axis, and consists of elements (90, 92) for releasing the locking means when the second element is in overlapping relationship with the first element . 3. Folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting device is a composite Linkage (53), the opposite ends of which are hinged to the first and second elements, respectively with the drive means attached thereto and having members (60-68), the first and second Establish positions for the linkage, and that the first position will place the elements in side-by-side relationship and the second position arranges the elements in an overlapping relationship » 4. Folding device according to claim 3, characterized in that that the connecting device comprises a locking device (70) connected to the second element and the support structure cooperates to hold the second member in a fixed position during the linkage moves from the first to the second position and includes elements (90, 92) for releasing the locking device, when the boom is in the second position to allow the elements to to pivot as a unit about the second pivot axis. 1098 1 5 / 01C2 ~ ¹⁷ ~ ORIGINAL INSPECTED 5. Folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that in that the connecting means have first and second levers (40, 46) respectively attached to the elements, the first lever on the second lever is articulated to the pivot axis for the first element to form, and the second lever on a pivot axis (42) is hinged to the support structure and forms the pivot axis for the second element, third and fourth levers (52, 54) which are pivotably connected to one another and whose free ends (50, 58) each with one of the first and second levers are connected, wherein the drive device with the third and fourth levers cooperates to move the elements into the overlapping relationship and includes means (70), which normally holds the second lever in a fixed position and on the movement of the elements in the addressing overlapping relationship in order to allow a pivoting movement of the second lever about the pivot axis on the support structure, » 6v folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the connecting device has first, second, third and fourth levers, xirobei the first lever (46) carried by the first element and around the first Pivot axis (48) is pivotable, the fourth lever (40) carried by the second element and around the second The pivot axis (42) is pivotable and the second and third levers (52, 54) are pivotably connected to one another are and have free ends hinged to respective ones of the first and fourth levers, elements (60 68), defining the first and second positions for the second and third levers, and a locking device (70) which has a first position for 1098 15/0102. . -18- 'ZUh ii ^: ~;: "> b limits the first lever and also responds to the movement of the second and third levers into the second position, a pivoting movement of the first lever about the first To enable pivot axis, the drive device with a support device (If.} And with one of the second and third lever (52) is connected for pivoting the elements. 7ο folding device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drive device consists of a liquid motor (94) which is relatively has mutually movable parts (96, 100) and the elements by moving these parts in one direction pivots. 8. Folding device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the drive device consists of one There is a liquid motor (94) which has a piston rod (100) which is displaceable in a cylinder (96) and with one of the levers (52) connected to the elements in overlying relationship and then as a unit to move in one direction during movement of the piston rod relative to the cylinder. ^109815/0102 ORlG ₁ NAtINSPECTED