US3002432A - Packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 3, 1961 H. wENDsHuH PACKAGING MACHINE 8' Sheets-Sheet, l

Filed June 26. 1957 Ew/a l ZUM ill# Oct. 3, 1961 H. L. WENDSHUH 3,002,432

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 26. 1957 8 Sheens-ShemI 2 o ww m@ ww QH WW www O oo o o o o o o o n U Q u s o n H, w w o M www l NW mw@ #m mm, fm Nm o NA S i A Z 65@ O4 o .o o o @WJ/ IL A ,Q l mw mm Q om m www@ mw @s 3 -uw o A@ b9@ O Ol O Y N. a QN om f no wm T wm OJNMHA I o -g mum Www www m @E Oct. 3, 1961 H. L. WENDSHUH PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet C5 Oct. 3, 1961 H. L. WENDSHUH PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 3, 1961v H. L. WENDSHUH 3,002,432

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 26. 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ap A= Oct. 3, 1961 H. wENDsHUH PACKAGING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 26, 1957 Jam/052214 "7 15AM/735V@ Oct. 3, 1961 H. L. WENDSHUH 3,002,432

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Oct. 3, 1961 H. wENDsHUH 3,002,432

PACKAGING MACHINE 8 Sheena-shew?I a' Filed June 26, 1957 rates Filed .lune 26, 195'?, Ser. No. 663,?.l7 22 Claims. Cl. S93-dill This invention relates to a packaging machine, and is particularly concerned with means for folding flaps from adjoining edges of a ilat card over material, such as a plurality of overlapping slices of bacon, to be packaged on said card, and automatically interlocking the flaps of said card in a substantially dat plane.

u Although the machine of the present invention is designed especially for use in the packaging of sliced bacon, `and will be described in this connection, it is 'not limited to such use, and may be used advantageously inthe packaging of other food products or other articles, such as, for example, handkerchiefs, scarves, ties, hosiery, etc., that may be packaged in approximately flat condition. The machine is described with reference to a card having two side flaps, but it will be understood that the .machine will work as well with a card having a front ap and a single side flap.

in packaging sliced bacon, the slices of bacon are placed in overlapping relationship on a flat card out and scored to form `a front ilap and either one or two side ilaps. The score lines for the side iiaps may be cut entirely through the card along a portion oi the score line intermediate its length, to enable the side aps to be bowed slightly to accommodate the increased thickness resulting from the overlapping of the bacon slices throughout the intermediate portion of the package.

The front flap is provided with a diagonal slit adjacent each end, and the front end of each side flap is provided with a tongue projecting therefrom. The tongues are each disposed at an angle, and are of a size adapted to enter the diagonal slits and to be interlocked therewith in a substantially ilat plane when the front flap and the side flaps are folded inwardly over rthe slices of bacon. The base of the tongue and the diagonal slit each have the same angular relationship to the fold line of the front ilap to insure a neat joint between the interlocked ilaps. The angularity of the tongue and slit yis preferably 456l but it maybe varied, if desired.

A card with sliced bacon positioned thereon in offset relationship is placed on the top plate of a table with the iront ilap of the card extending towards the rear or discharge end of the machine. Endless chains extend around sprockets rotatably mounted under the top of 'the table upon which the top plate is supported. The chains carry a series of spaced cleats which extend transversely' yol. the top plate just above the upper surface yol the top plate, and are moved from the front or feed end of the machine to the discharge end thereof. The cleats push individual cards valong the upper surface ofthe top plate toward the discharge end loi the machine.

An upper frame is supported above the top vof the table. Two pairs of sprokets are fixed to shafts rotatably mounted on the upper frame in longitudinally spaced relationship. One pair of sprockets is positioned` adiacertt one side of the frame, and the other pair of sprockets is positioned adjacent the opposite 'side of the frame. An endless chain is mounted to extend around each pair of sprockets, and the endless chains carry a plurality of uniformly spaced rods each of which has its opposite ends secured to said chains. The rods move longitudinally of the table as the endless chains are .moved in synchronization "with the chains controlling the movement of Ythe cleats which push the cards through the machine. An

.2 .A arm is pivotally secured to each rod and has a roller mounted at each side of its free end. A at plate is rigidly secured to the free end of'each arm. Y

The rollers on the free end of each arm engage cam tracks which control the path of travel of the rollers to bring the free edge of the ilat plate downwardly adjacent the front ilap fold line of a lcard being moved through the machine by the cleats. Coincidentally with the positioning of the roller controlled fiat plate adjacent the front flap fold line, a cam controlled plate moves pivotally upwardly through an opening inthe top plate of the table to fold the front flap of the card upwardly. A spring pressed rod engages the front surface of the front llap to move the front flap into upright position against the roller controlled flat plate. Meanwhile the cam causes the cam controlled plate to move pivotally downwardly out of the lway of the advancing card.

The spring pressed rod holds the front flap in upright position against the flat plate while a longitudinal guide rod engages each end of the front flap and bends the upper portion of each corner rearwardly to open a diagonal slit previously vcut in the front llap portion of the card blank adjacent each end. The side ilaps of the card engage other longitudinal guide rods which fold them inwardly and upwardly. As the card is moved toward the discharge end of the machine, the rollers engaging the cam track are moved upwardly by a rise in the cam track and lift the arm and the ilat plate which is rigi ly secured to the arm. The upward movement of the flat plate is sufficient to cause the lower edge of the dat plate to clear the upper edge of the front flap of the card. l

When the flat plate clears the upper edge of the front flap the spring pressed rod moves, under the inuence of its spring, back to its original position in which it 1s ready to engage the front flap of the next card fed through the machine. Upon continued movement of the card toward the discharge end of the machine, the tongues on the side aps enter the diagonal slits in the front flap, and all three aps are folded inwardly and downwardly by the longitudinal guide rods to interlock the tongues and slits in -a substantially at plane.

After all three aps are in approximately flat position, theslde ilaps pass under spring pressed rollers which press them down against the bacon to enable them to conform to the curvilinear contour of the upper surface of the bacon. The card, with all three of its flaps folded substantially fiat, is then discharged from the machine. The package is complete, so far as the present invention is concerned, when it is discharged from the machine, but it will be understood that it will ordinarily be thereafter wrapped in cellophane or some other suitable wrapping material.

The structure by means of which the above and other advantages are attained will be described in detail in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, showing a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:

FiGURE 1 is an end elevation of a machine embodying the invention, looking at the front or feed end of the machine;

FIG. 2 isa longitudinal sectional view, taken along the line '2r-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the ap tolding mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, taken along the line 4 4 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional View, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing a card with its front flap partially folded upwardly before the engagement of the flap with the spring pressed rod;

FIG. 7 is a view, similar to FIG. 6, showing the front flap of the card engaged by the spring pressed rod;

FIG. 8 is a view, similar to FIG. 6, showing the front ap of the card bent upwardly at right angles to the card;

FIG.. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view, showing the front ap of the card at the start of the corner bending operation;

FIG. 10 is a view, similar to FIG. 9, showing the card at the start of the upward folding operation on the side aps of the card, with the corners of the front flap bent rearwardly to open the diagonal slits;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the card, in the position of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view, similar to FIG. 9, showing the card at the start of the inward folding operation on the front ends of the side flaps; r FIG. 13 is a view, similar to FIG. 1l, showing the card in the position of FIG. 12; v

j FIG. 14 is a view, similar to FIG. 9, showing the card with the tongue and slit partially engaged;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary side elevation, showing the card and the roller controlled fiat plate in the position shown in FIG. 14; Y

' FIG. 16 is a fragmentary top plan view, showing the card with the tongue interlocked with the diagonal slit;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary side elevational view, showing the roller pressing the side flap downwardly;

4 FIG. 18 is a top plan view'of the blank of the card; and

FIG. 19 is a prespective view of the package as it is discharged from the machine.

In the drawings the reference numeral -2 indicates a table comprising a plurality of longitudinal angle members 3 and transverse angle members 4 secured together in a horizontal plane, by welding or in any other suitable manner, and supported by a plurality of vertical angle members 5. The space between the horizontal flanges of the angle members 3 and 4 is open but is partially covered by a top plate 6, preferably of stainless steel, which extends longitudinally of the table. The plate 6 is supported by intermediate longitudinal .angle members 3' (FIG. 4).

The vertical anglemembers also support longitudinal angle members 7 and transverse angle members S spaced below the angle members 3 and 4. Bearings 9 mounted on the longitudinal angle members 7 rotatably support shafts and 11 adjacent opposite ends of the machine. The `shaft 10 has two sprockets 12 mounted thereon in equally spaced relationship to the longitudinal center of the machine. The shaft 11 similarly has two sprockets 13 mounted thereon in alignment with the sprockets 12. Endless chains 14 mounted on the aligned sprockets 12 and 13 on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the machine carry a series of cleats which are spaced at' uniform longitudinal intervals around the length of the chains.

Each cleat has its opposite ends secured to the chains 14 by means of brackets 16 (FIG. 4) which space the cleats vertically from the chains. The opposite ends of each bracket extend at right angles, as indicated at 17, to space the center of the bracket a suicient distance from the chains 14 so that although the upper reach'of each chainis belowthe top plate 6, the cleats ride along the length of the machine above the upper surface of top plate. 6. The cards-1S, with the sliced bacon positioned thereon, are individually placed on the upper surface of top plate 6, each in front of one of the cleats 15 which pushes the card along the surface of the top plate as it moves forwardly from the feed end of the machine to the discharge end thereof.

Longitudinal openings 19 adjacent opposite edges of top plate 6 permit the ends ofthe cleats 15 to pass .there-1 through. The top plate 6 is also provided with transverse slots 20 and 21 adjacent sprockets 12 and 13, respectively, to permit the cleats to pass above the upper surface of top plate 6 adjacent the feed end of the machine and below the plate 6 adjacent the discharge end of the machine. The table is provided with longitudinal guide rails 22 on each side of the table to prevent lateral movement of the cards 18 before their side flaps are folded, and with guide rails 23 to prevent lateral movement of the cards after their side aps have been folded. The guide rails are preferably adjustable laterally, as indicated at 22 and 23', respectively, and support the brackets 24 and 25, respectively. The bracket 24 is adjustable laterally, as shown at 24.

An upper frame 26 supported on the top of table 2 comprises vertical angle members 27 supporting transversely extending horizontal angle members 28 and longitudinally extending horizontal angle members 29. Two transverse shafts 30 and 31 (FIGS. 1 and 2) are supported in longitudinally spaced parallel relationship by bearings 32 and 32', respectively. The bearings are mounted on top ofthe upper frame 26.

The shaft 31 is driven by a chain 33 which extends around a sprocket 34 fixed to the shaft 31 and a sprocket 35 fixed to the output shaft 36 of a motor 37 mounted at the bottom of the table 2. An idler 38, mounted on a plate 39 adjustably supported on an angle member 5, holds the sprocket 33 in frictional contact with a sprocket 4t) fixed to shaft 11 to drive the shaft 11 and the chains 14. The chains 14 may also bev moved manually for adjustment purposes by means of a hand wheel 4l secured to the projecting end ofshaft 11.

A sprocket 42 is mounted adjacent each end of each shaft 30 and 31. A chain 43 is mounted on each pair of sprockets adjacent opposite sides of the frame 26. A plu rality of lugs 44 extending from the chains 43 are arranged in pairs spaced longitudinally of the chains at uniform intervals. A rod 45 extending transversely of the chains 43 is mounted in each pair of lugs. Each rod has an arm 46 rotatably mounted adjacent each lug 44. A roller 47 is mounted on the free end of each arm 46. A flat plate 4S is mounted on a strip 48 extending transversely of the machine and having its opposite ends rigidly fixed in each pair of arms 46.

The rollers 47 engage cam tracks 49 which control the vertical position of the rollers as they move across the lower reach of the chains 43. The vertical position of the rollers 47 is important in this area because it controls the vertical position of the flat plates 48 which depend from the arms 46 in perpendicular relationship to the card 18. The chains 14 and 43 are so synchronized that as 'each card 18 is moved longitudinally of the machine one of the at plates 48 is'positioned immediately rearwardly of the fold line which defines the front flap of the card. The bottom edge of the fiat plate 48 is spaced very close to the upper surface ofthe card 18 to facilitate the sharp vertical folding'of the front flap 50l of the card 18, as hereinafter described.

A pair of vertical angle members 51 extending between the longitudinal angle members 3 and '7 each support a bearing 52. A cam shaft 53, mounted in the bearings 52, has a sprocket 54 mounted adjacent each end thereof. The sprockets 54 engage the chains 14 to drive the cam shaft. A cam 55 mounted centrally of the shaft 53 is adjustably secured to a boss 56 mounted on the shaft 53, as shown in FIG. 4. A follower roller 57, rotatably monnied on a bracket 58, rides -on the peripheral surface of the cam 55. l The bracket 58 is rigidly secured to the lower portion of a at plate 59 which is secured to a shaft 60 by a pair of clamps 61. The shaft 6? is rotatably mounted in bearings 62 supported by the longitudinal angle members 3'. A collar 63 is fixed on each end of the shaft 64) to prevent accidental axial displacement of the shaft.

, The top plate. V6 has'an opening :64 through which the' fspoeasa bam ontr'olled flat yplate '59 is adapted to project. As the sprockets 54 rotate the cam shaft 53, 'the 'cam follower 57, which is in constant engagement with the cam 55, oscillates the plate 59 about the axis ofthe shaft 60 to lift the outer edge ofthe plate through the opening 64 and then lower it below the surface of the top plate 6. The c'am 55 is adjusted to lift the'plate S9' at the time'the front flap 50 of a card 13 is being moved across the opening 64 in the top plate 6.

A tubular member 655 having an open front end is rigidly secured, as by welding, to each bracket 25 adjacent its 'inner end, as shown in FIGS. 3 'and 6. Another tubular 'member 66 telescopes in the open front end of the member 65. The outer ends of both tubular members are rclosed, and a compression spring `F67 is housed in each pair vvof telescoping members 65 and 66'to urge the member '66 forwardly. A pair of sockets 68 secured to the front lends of the tubular members 66 "support opposite ends 'of'anrod 69 which extends transversely above the top plate 6. The springs 67 normally hold the rod v69 positioned above the rear portion fof the opening 64.

, Each card 18, with slices of bacon ''positioned thereon, is pushed along the upper surface of the top plate 6 by one of the cleats 15. As the front iiap 50 of the card 4approaches the opening `64, a plate e8 is positioned ver "tically immediately to the l'rear of the front ap fold line, land the cam controlled plate 59 moves upwardly against the bottom of the flap 50 to fold it upwardly. As the movement of the card brings the upstanding front flap 50 .into "engagement with 'the spring pressed rod y69, the rod .moves the dap into its vertical position, as shown in FiG. `8. While the front flap is held against the plate 48 fit engages the front end of a pair oflon'gitudinal Vguide rods vr71 Whichwill now be described.

Each rod 71 is rigidly secured, preferably by welding,

to one ofthe brackets '24. The brackets 24 are laterally adjustable, as indicated at 24', to permit adjustment of the rods 7i. The rods 7l are approximately parallel to each other, and are spaced apart a distance less than the length of the front hap 5t). The front end of each rod 71 extends upwardly, as indicated at 72. The rods 71 constitute guides for the outer edges of the front flap 5d, and the rear end portion of each rod is curved inwardly, as indicated at 73, for a purpose hereinafter described.

A longitudinal guide rod 74 is positioned along each longitudinal edge of the machine. The frontV or free end of each guide rod 74 extends through a hole '75 in the top plate 6. rflic holes 75 are aligned transversely with the opening 6d in the top plate 6, but are located outwardly of the opening 6d adjacent the inner edges of the guide rails 22. The side aps 76 of a card 18, which are defined by the longitudinal fold lines 77, extend over the holes 7S when the card is moved through the machine to this area, as shown -in .HG 9. Rearwardly of the holes '75 each rod 74 has an intermediate curved section 78 which is positioned outwardly of the adjacent rod 7l. The section 73 merges into a substantially longitudinal section 7) and a terminal section Si) l 7S is curved upwardly from the level of the top plate 6 to the horizontal plane of the rod 69 and then downwardly'until it merges into the section 79 in the horizontal .plane of the top of the longitudinal guide 23. This curvature is important in the sequence of folding operations hereinafter described.

The terminal section Sii of each guide rod 74 is secured between clamping members Si and d2. A bolt S3 extends through a slot ed in the clamping member 8i and is threaded into the top Vof 'guide member 23 to secure the 'clamping member 31 in longitudinally adjustable relationship tothe guide member. The clamping member 82 is clamped against the terminal section 189 of the rod 7d by a bolt 8S that extends through an aperture (not shown) in the member 82, and is threaded into the member 81.

The front flap 56 of the card 18 is cut to provide a diagonal slit 86 adjacent each outer end of the flap. As shown in FlG. 18, both ends of each slit terminate in an angular cut S6 which provides `a wider opening for each slit when the ends of the front flap are bent along the line of the slit. The slit 86 preferably extends at an angle of to the fold line of the front ap 50 and the front end of each side flap 76 is cut at an angle of 45, as indicated at S7, to provide a neat joint between each side flap and the front flap when the flaps are interlocked in a substantially flat plane. The angularity of the slits and the front end of each side flap may be varied, but each of these 'members must have matching angularity. The front end of each side liap is provided with an integral tongue 88 projecting perpendicularly to the angularly cut edge S7. As the card 18 is moved toward the discharge end of the machine, the front iia'p 5t) and the side aps 76 are guided by the longitudinal guide rods 7l and 74, respectively, to move the aps into a substantially hat plane and interlock the tongues 88 and slits iid in a manner hereinafter described.

As shown in FGS. l, 2 and 3, a horizontally disposed roller 89 is rotatably mounted on an arm 9@ at each side of the machine in spaced relationship to the top of table 2 rearwardly ofthe guides 74. The outer end "of each arm 9) is slidably-mounted on a screw 91 projecting vertically above the top of the table. The vpressure of roller 89 may be regulated by 'rotation of the Vscrew 9i. A spring 92 is interposed between the arm 70 and the top of the table 2 to provide resilience for the vertical movement of the rollers 89. The rollers 89 'are aligned longitudinally with the folded side flaps 76 of the c'ard 18 'to press them substantially at against the bacon before the 'cards are discharged from the machine. A slit 93 `may with particular reference to the sequence of folding and interlocking the flaps of a card in a substantially dat plane as the card is moved from the feed end of the machine to the discharge end thereof. The cleats 1S are -moved continuously from the feed end of the machine to the discharge end thereof, at uniform longitudinally spaced intervals, by the endless chains 14. A card 18,

Vwith sliced'bacon positioned thereon, is positioned lon the upper surface of the top plate 6 between the opening 64 and a cleat i5 moving towards the opening 6ft. The slices of bacon are arranged in overlapping relationship on the surface of the card within the fold lines deiining the front and side flaps. The front flap 50 of the card extends toward the discharge end of the machine, and the side iiaps 76 of the card are positioned in abutting relationship to the longitudinal guide rails 22.

The endless chains i3 are synchronized with chains 14 to position a plate 4S vertically adjacent the front fold line 94 of the card 18 as the front flap 5t? moves across the opening 64 in the top plate 6, as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. The cam 55, also operated by chains 14, swings the plate 59 pivotally through the opening 64 to engage the bottom surface of flap 5t) and fold -it upwardly along fold line 94. As the card continues its advance, the front flap 56 engages the rod 69, which moves the flap into vertical position against the plate 48, and the cam 5S swings the plate 59 pivotally downwardly through the opening 64, as shown in FiG. 7.

As the plate 4S presses the front flap 50 against lthe spring pressed rod 69 to hold the flap in vertical position, as shown in FIG. 8, the ends 72 of the longitudinal guide parting from the spirit or scope of my invention.

example, the card may have only one side flap, instead of irods 71 engage the outer ends of the front iiap 50 to bend the upper corners of the ap rearwardly along the lines of the slits 86, as shown at 95 in FIG. 9. The angularly extending ends S of the slits S6 cause the slits to open to their maximum width when the corners of the `front ap are bent rearwardly along the lines of the slits ,slits 86 maintain their angle of approximately 45 because the center portion of the front ilap is still sup- -pported in vertical position by the roller controlled flat 'plate 48, and the intermediate portion of rod 7l, which engages the corner of the flap, is substantially straight.

While the slit 86 retains its position, the inward curvature of the section 78 of rod 7d gradually curves one end 96 of each tongue 88 to move it adjacent the slit S6 and to align it therewith, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The inward curvature of the section 78 of the rod 74 also folds the side flaps 76 inwardly. This inward folding of the side aps gradually reduces the vertical dimension of the side flaps, and the upward curvature of the section 78 causes each side flap to move axially of the rod 7d so that at this point, where the rod reaches its maximum height, the front end of each side ilap is underneath the rod 74 rather than on top of it. At this point the rod 71 also starts curving inwardly, and as the movement of the card 18 toward the discharge end of the machine continues, the curved sections 73 of the rods 71 and the curved sections 78 of the rods 74 engage the corners of the front flap to fold the front flap inwardly and downwardly. The sections 78 of rods '74 fold the side flaps inwardly and downwardly at the same time. The simultaneous inward and downward movement of all three flaps causes each tongue SS to enter its slit S6, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

In the position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 the front ap 50 has moved past the curved end of rod 71, and a rise 97 in the cam track 49 causes the rollers t7 to move the arms 46 and the flat plate 48 upwardly above the upper edge of the front flap Sti. The movement of the plate 48 longitudinally of the machine from the point directly above opening '64 where it lirst engages the rod 69, as shown in FIG. 8, to the point, shown in FIG. 15, where its lower edge is lifted above the upper edge of front ap Sii, places the spring 67 under considerable compression. When the plate 48 moves out of engagement with the front flap 50, the spring 67 propels the rod 69 over the front flap into position to engage the front ap of the next card being fed through the machine.

The substantially straight sections 79 of the rods 74 hold both side flaps and the end flaps down to insure positive interlocking of the tongues 88 and slits 86 in a substantially flat plane, as shown in FIG. 16.

As the card moves toward the discharge end of the machine, the folded side flaps 76 pass under the rollers 89 which press the aps downwardly against the bacon. The slits 93 along fold lines 79 permit the flaps 76 to bow longitudinally of the card so that the flaps 76 may conform to the curvilinear contour of the upper surface of the bacon throughout the length of the card. The

- cards are then transferred to a wrapping station where they are wrapped in cellophane or other suitable wrapping material to provide a finished package.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention in detail. it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without de- For two. Accordingly, 1 do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described.

I claim:

l. A method of automatically folding a flat card cut and scored to provide a flap on two adjacent edges, adjacent ends of said flaps having an interengageable tongue and slit extending diagonally of said flaps, which comprises folding said slitted flap upwardly into vertical position, bending the corner of said slitted flap rearwardly along the line of said slit, folding said other ap upwardly into vertical position, aligning said tongue with said slit, and simultaneously folding said aps inwardly and downwardly to interlock said tongue and slit in a substantially flat plane.

2. A method of automatically folding a flat card cut and scored to provide a front Hap and a side flap, said front flap having an angular slit adjacent one end and said side ilap having a tongue projecting angularly from the end adjacent said front flap, which comprises folding said flaps inwardly to align said tongue with said slit, opening said slit, inserting one end of said tongue in the adjacent slit, and continuing the inward folding of said flaps simultaneously to interlock said tongue and said slit in a substantially at plane.

3. A method of automatically folding a flat card cut and scored to provide a front ap and a side flap, said ront flap having an angular slit adjacent one end and said side flap having a tongue projecting augularly from the end adjacent said front flap, which comprises folding said front flap upwardly into vertical position, supporting said flap in said vertical position, bending one corner of said front flap rearwardly while it is supported in said vertical position to open said slit, folding said side flap upwardly, removing said vertical support from said front flap, folding said front and side flaps inwardly and downwardly simultaneously to position one end of said tongue into said slit, and continuing said inward and downward folding to interlock said tongue and said slit in a substantially llat plane.

4. A. method of automatically folding a flat card cut and scored to provide a front flap and a side flap, said front flap having a diagonal slit adjacent one end and said side flap having an angularly extending tongue at the end adjacent said front ap, said method comprising the steps of automatically folding said front flap upwardly into vertical position, moving said card into engagement with a guide rod to bend one corner of said front flap rearwardly along the line of said slit, moving said card into engagement with a second guide rod to fold said side flap upwardly and inwardly to align said tongue with said slit, and automatically folding said flaps downwar ly and inwardly simultaneously to interlock said tongue and slit in a substantially flat plane.

5. A method of automatically folding a flat card cut and scored to provide a front flap and two side flaps, said front flap having a diagonal slit adjacent each end and said side flaps each having an angularly extending tongue at the end adjacent said front flap, said method comprising the steps of automatically folding said front flap upwardly into vertical position, automatically bending the opposite corners of said front ilap rearwardly along the lines of said slits, automatically folding said side flaps upwardly and inwardly to align said tongues with said slits, and automatically folding all three flaps downwardly and inwardly simultaneously to interlock said tongues and slits in a substantially flat plane.

6. A machine for folding a at card having a front flap and a side flap, said front ap having a slit and said side flap having a tongue, said machine comprising a table, a conveyor on said table for moving a card along the upper surface of said table, means for folding the front flap of said card vertically, means for supporting said front Hap in vertical position, a longitudinal guide rod for bending one upper corner of said front ilap rearwardly while said front flap is supported in vertical position,

9 .means for retracting said supporting means, said guide rod being etective to fold said front tlap rearwardly after retraction of said supporting means, and a second longitudinal guide rod for folding said side flap upwardly, said last mentioned guide rod being effective to fold said front and side tlaps downwardly simultaneously to interlock said tongue and slit in a substantially ilat plane.

7. A machine comprising a table having a top plate provided with an opening, a plurality of uniformly spaced cleats extending transversely of said table, means for continuously moving said cleats longitudinally of said table in closely spaced relationship to the upper surface of said top plate, said cleats being adapted to push individual cards positioned on said top plate along the upper surface of said top plate, a plurality of tlat plates extending transversely of said table7 means for continuously moving said 'dat plates in vertically disposed position longitudinally of said top plate in predetermined uniformly spaced relationship to said cleats, a plate mounted below said top plate adjacent said opening, and cam means vfor intermittently moving said last mentioned plate through said opening at predetermined intervals, said cam controlled plate cooperating successively with each of said vertically disposed llat plates to fold one edge of each of a plurality of cards pushed along the upper surface of said top plate by Said cleats.

8. A machine comprising a table having a top plate, a plurality of uniformly spaced cleats extending transverselyof said table, means for' continuously .moving said cleats longitudinally of saidl table in closely spaced relationship to the 'upper surfaceoff said top plate, said cleats vbeing adapted nto push individual cards positioned on said top plate along the upper surface of said top plate, a plurality of iiat yplates extending transversely ot said table, means for continuously moving said iiat plates in vertically disposed position longitudinally or' said top plate in predetermined uniformly spaced relationship to said cleats, and means cooperating with said vertically disposed dat plates to fold one edge ot' each of a plurality of cards upwardly `as said cards re pushed through said machine by said cleats.

9. A machine comprising a table having a top plate, a pair of transversely spaced endless chains mounted for continuous movement below said top plate, a plurality of cleats spaced longitudinally of said endless chains, each of said cleats having its opposite ends secured to said chains and having its center portion positioned above said top plate in closely spaced relationship to the upper surface of said table top to adapt said cleats to move individual cards positioned on said top plate along the upper surface of said top plate, a plurality of at plates extending transversely of said table, means for contin- -uously moving said ilat plates in vertically disposed position longitudinally of said top plate in predetermined uniformly spaced relationship to said cleats, and means cooperating with said vertically disposed ilat plates to fold one edge of each of a plurality of cards pushed through said machine by said cleats.

l0. A machine comprising 4a table having a top plate provided with an opening, an upper frame supported on said table, a pair of transversely spaced endless chains mounted for continuous movement below said top plate, a plurality of cleats spaced longitudinally of said endless chains, each of said cleats having its opposite ends secured to said chains and having its center portion position'ed above said top plate in closely spaced relationship to' the upper surface of said tahle top, said cleats being adapted to push individual cards positioned on said top plate along the upper surface of said top plate, ar pair uniform spaced relationship to said cleats, a plate pivotally mounted below said table top adjacent said opening, and means for intermittently moving said last mentioned plate pivotally through said opening at predetermined intervals, said pivotally mounted plate cooperating with each of said flat plates to fold one edge of each of a plurality of cards pushed through said machine by said cleats.

ll. A machine comprising a table having a top plate, means for individually moving a plurality of cards longitudinally of said table top, a plurality of ilat plates extending transversely oi said table, means `tor continuously moving said flat plates longitudinally of said tao'le top in predetermined relationship to each of said cards, and a cam controlled plate cooperating with each of said ilat plates to fold one edge of each or" said cards upwardly as it is moved longitudinally of said table top.

l2. A machine comprising a table having a topprovided With an opening, means for individually moving a plurality of cards longitudinally of said table top, a plurality of flat plates extending transversely of said table top, means for continuously moving said dat plates in vertically disposed position longitudinally of said table top in predetermined relationship to each of said cards, a plate mounted below said table top adjacent said opening, and cam means for intermittently moving said last mentioned plate through said opening at predetermined intervals, said cam controlled plate cooperating with each of said vertically disposed dat plates to fold one edge of each of said cards upwardly as itis moved across said opening.

13. A machine comprising a table `having a top pros vided with an opening, means 'for individually moving a plurality of cards longitudinally of said table top, a plu rality of flat plates extending transversely of said table, means for continuously moving said llat plates in vertically disposed position longitudinally of said table top in predetermined relationship to each of said cards, a plate mounted below said tabletop adjacent said opening, cam means for intermittently moving said last mentioned plate through said opening at predetermined intervals, said cam controlled plate cooperating with each of sa'i'd vertically dispose-d flat plates to lfold one edge of each of saidtcards upwardly as it is moved across said opening, spring pressed means cooperating with each of said dat plates to support the folded edge of each card in vertical position after retraction of said cam controlled plate, and a longitudinal guide rod mounted on said table to bend one end of the vertically folded edge of each card inwardly while it is supported in vertical position.

14. A machine` comprising a table having a top provided with an opening, means for individually moving a plurality of cards longitudinally of said table top, a plurality of dat plates extending transversely oi' said table, means for continuously moving said llat plates in vertically disposed position longitudinally of said table top in predetermined relationship to each of said cards, a

vplate pivotally mounted below said table top adjacent said opening, cam means for oscillating said last mentioned plate through said opening at predetermined intervals, said cam controlled plate cooperating with each of said vertically disposed flat plates to fold one edge of each of said cards upwardly as it is moved across said opening, spring pressed means cooperating with eachof said vertically disposed dat plates to fold the upwardly folded edge of each card into vertical position after retraction of said cam controlled plate, and means mounted on said table for folding the vertically folded edge of each card inwardly and downwardly into substantially at position, Y

l5. A machine Afor folding a ilat card cut and scored .to provide a front iiap and a slide ilap, said front ap having a diagonal slit adjacent one end, and said side Hap having a tongue projecting angularly from the end adjacent said front flap, said machine comprising a table having a top provided with an opening, means for inaooaasa dividually moving a plurality of cards longitudinally along said table top, a plate mounted below said table top adjacent said opening, cam means for moving said last mentioned plate through said opening to fold the front llap of each card upwardly as each of said cards is moved across said opening, a longitudinal guide rod -for bending one corner of said front flap rearwardly along the line of said slit, and a second longitudinal guide rod lfor folding said side flap upwardly and for folding said front and side flaps inwardly and downwardly simultaneously to interlock said tongue and said slit in a substantially at plane.

16. A machine for folding a flat card having a front flap and two side flaps, said front flap having a diagonal Nslit adjacent each end, and said side flaps each having a tongue engageable with one of said slits, said machine comprising a table having a top, a plurality of cleats extending transversely across said top, means for movfing said cleats to push a plurality of cards longitudinally along said table top, a cam controlled plate effective to fold the front flap of each card upwardly as said card is moved along said table top, means to support said front flap in vertical position, longitudinal cam guide rods for bending the corners of each front flap rearwardly along the lines of said slits, and means for folding said side flaps upwardly, said last mentioned means being adapted to fold all of said flaps inwardly and downwardly simultaneously to interlock said tongues and said slits in -a substantially flat plane.

17. A machine for folding a flat card cut and scored having a diagonal slit adjacent one end, and said side 'flap having a tongue projecting angularly from the end adjacent said front flap, said machine comprising a table having a top, means for individually moving a plurality of cards longitudinally along said table top, means for folding the front flap of each card upwardly as said card is moved along said table top, means for bending one corner of each front flap rearwardly along the line of said slit to open said slit, and means for folding said side ap upwardly, said last mentioned means being adapted to fold said front and side flaps inwardly and downwardly simultaneously to insert said tongue into the adjacent slit and to then interlock said tongue and said slit in a substantially flat plane.

18. A machine for folding a hat card cut and scored to provide a front flap and a side flap, said front flap .having a diagonal slit adjacent one end, and said side flap having a tongue projecting angularly from the end adjacent said front ilap, said machine comprising a table lhaving a top provided with opening, means for in dividually moving a plurality of cards longitudinally along said table top, a plate mounted below said table top adjacent said opening, cam means for intermittently moving said last mentioned plate through said opening to fold the front flap of each card upwardly as said card is moved across said opening, means to support said front flap in vertical position after retraction of said cam controlled plate, a longitudinal guide rod to bend one corner of each front ilap rearwardly along the line of said slit, means to fold said front flap inwardly and downwardly after said corner bending operation, and a second longi- .tudinal guide rod for folding said side flap inwardly Yand downwardly, the inward and downward folding of Aeach of said flaps being synchronized to cause said tongue to enter said slit and to interlock said tongue and slit fin a substantially ilat plane.

i9. A machine for folding a flat card cut and scored to provide a front ilap and a side ap, said front ap having a diagonal slit adjacent one end, and said side flap having a tongue projecting angularly from the end adjacent said front flap, said machine comprising a table having a top provided with an opening, means for individually moving 'a plurality of cards longitudinally along said table topa plate pivotally mounted below said table top, means for oscillating said last mentioned plate through said opening to fold the front flap of each card upwardly as said card vis moved across said opening, a longitudinal guide rod for bending one corner of each front flap rearwardly along the lines of said slit to open said slit, means to fold said front flap inwardly and downwardly after said corner bending operation, and a second longitudinal guide rod for folding said side ilap upwardly and then inwardly and downwardly, the inward and downward folding of said side ap and the inward and downward folding of said front flap being effective to interlock said tongue and slit in a substantially flat plane.

20. A machine for folding a flat card cut and scored to provide a front flap and a side ap, said front flap having a diagonal slit adjacent one end, and said side flap having a tongue projecting angularly from the end adjacent said front flap, said machine comprising a table having a top, a pair of endless chains mounted below said table top, a plurality of cleats extending transversely above said table top, each of said cleats being secured to said chains, means to move said chains longitudinally of said table to cause said cleats to individually move a plurality of cards longitudinally along said table top, a plate pivotally mounted on said table, said pivotally mounted plate being adapted to fold the front flap of each card upwardly as said card is moved along said table, means for bending one corner of each front flap rearwardly along the line of said slit to open said slit, means for folding said front flap inwardly and downwardly, and a longitudinal guide rod for folding said side ap upwardly and then inwardly and downwardly, the inward and downward folding of each of said iiaps being synchronized to cause said tongue to enter said slit and to interlock said tongue and slit in a substantially flat plane.

21. A machine for folding a flat card having a front flap and two side aps, said front flap having a diagonal slit adjacent each end, and said side flaps each having a tongue engageable with one of said slits, said machine comprising a table, means for individually moving a plurality of cards longitudinally along said table, an upper frame supported on said table, a pair of endless chains mounted on said upper frame, means for moving said chains longitudinally of said table, a plurality of flat plates moved along said table by said chains, a cam track mounted on said upper frame, means in said cam track to control the vertical position of said flat plates, said chains being synchronized with said means for moving said cards along said table top to position said ilat plates adjacent the bottom of the front flap of each card as said card is moved longitudinally along said table, means cooperating with each of said flat plates to fold the front ap of each card upwardly as said card is moved along said table, a pair of longitudinal guide rods for bending the corners of each front flap rearwardly, said cam track having a rise positioned rearwardly of the front ends of said guide rods for moving each of said flat plates away from the adjacent front llap after said corner bending operation, and means for folding said aps inwardly and downwardly to interlock said tongues and slits in a substantially flat plane.

22. A machine for folding a flat card having a front flap and two side flaps, said front flap having a diagonal slit adjacent each end, and said side flaps each having a tongue engageable with one of said slits, said machine comprisving a table, means for individually moving a plurality of cards longitudinally along said table, an upper frame supported on said table, a pair of endless chains mounted on Asaid upper frame, means for moving said chains longitumoving said cards along said table top to position said flat 13 plates adjacent the bottom ofthe front flap of each card as said card is moved longitudinally along said table, means cooperating with each of said flat plates to fold the front flap of each card upwardly against said flat plate as said card and adjacent flat plate are moved along said table, a pair of longitudinal guide rods for bending the corners of each front flap rearwardly along the lines of said slits, said cam track having a rise positioned rearwardly of the front ends of said guide rods for moving each of said at plates away from the adjacent front flap after said corner bending operation, said guide rods each having a rear end portion curved inwardly to fold said front ap inwardly and downwardly, and a second pair of longitudinal guide rods each having an intermediate section curved inwardly and also curved upwardly and downwardly for folding said side aps upwardly, and then inwardly and downwardly to interlock said tongues and slits in a substantially at plane.

References Cited in the le of this patent

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