Machine and method for forming a container

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11554568-B2
Application number	US-202017020502-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 14, 2020
Priority date	Oct 3, 2006
Publication date	Jan 17, 2023
Grant date	Jan 17, 2023

Abstract

A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material includes an outer body frame, a mandrel mounted to the body frame, a lifting assembly coupled to the body frame, and a lateral presser assembly and a folding arm assembly coupled to the lifting assembly, wherein the lifting assembly moves the lateral presser assembly and the folding arm assembly in a first direction and an opposite, second direction. A folding arm servomechanism is operatively connected to a folding arm of the folding arm assembly and rotates the folding arm relative to the mandrel to wrap a first portion of the blank around the mandrel. A lateral presser servomechanism is operatively connected to an engaging bar of the lateral presser assembly and rotates the engaging bar relative to the mandrel to wrap a second portion of the blank around the mandrel to at least partially form the container.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material, said machine comprising: an outer body frame; a mandrel mounted to the body frame and having an external shape complimentary to at least a portion of the container, the mandrel comprising a central longitudinal axis and a plurality of side faces, wherein the blank includes a plurality of side panels, the blank positionable beneath the mandrel; a lifting assembly coupled to the body frame; a lateral presser assembly and a folding arm assembly coupled to the lifting assembly, wherein the lifting assembly moves the lateral presser assembly and the folding arm assembly in a first direction and an opposite, second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; and a folding arm servomechanism operatively connected to a folding arm of the folding arm assembly, the folding arm rotatably mounted, wherein the folding arm servomechanism electrically controls at least one of a speed and a timing of rotational movement of the folding arm independently of a speed and a timing of movement of the lifting assembly, the folding arm servomechanism rotating the folding arm relative to the mandrel to wrap a first portion of the blank around the mandrel; and a lateral presser servomechanism operatively connected to an engaging bar of the lateral presser assembly, the engaging bar rotatably mounted, wherein the lateral presser servomechanism electrically controls at least one of a speed and a timing of rotational movement of the engaging bar independently of the speed and the timing of movement of the lifting assembly, the lateral presser servomechanism rotating the engaging bar relative to the mandrel to wrap a second portion of the blank around the mandrel to at least partially form the container.

2. The machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a grip servomechanism and a gripping mechanism mounted to the body frame that grips and transfers the blank from an elevator section to a transfer section, the grip servomechanism operatively connected to the gripping mechanism and electrically controlling the speed and position of at least a portion of the gripping mechanism.

3. The machine according to claim 2 , further comprising a transfer servomechanism and a transfer assembly that transfers the blank to the lifting assembly, the transfer servomechanism operatively connected to the transfer assembly and electrically controlling a speed and a position of at least a portion of the transfer assembly.

4. The machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a pair of retractable miter bars that are positioned on opposing sides of the mandrel, wherein a miter servomechanism is operatively connected to the miter bars and electrically controls a speed and a position of the miter bars, and wherein the miter servomechanism moves the miter bars towards and away from the mandrel, and the miter bars press at least a portion of the blank against the mandrel.

5. The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the folding arm assembly comprises an engaging bar, wherein the engaging bar presses the first portion of the blank against the mandrel when the lifting assembly moves towards the mandrel.

6. The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the lateral presser assembly further comprises a pivot mechanism.

7. The machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a pair of retractable side flap finger mechanisms that are positioned on opposing sides of the mandrel, wherein a seventh servomechanism is operatively connected to the side flap finger mechanisms and electrically controls a speed and a position of the side flap finger mechanisms, wherein the seventh servomechanism moves the side flap finger mechanisms towards and away from the mandrel, and the side flap finger mechanisms press at least a portion of the blank against the mandrel.

8. The machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a pair of retractable bottom front flap finger mechanisms that are positioned on opposing sides of the mandrel, wherein an eighth servomechanism is operatively connected to the bottom front flap finger mechanisms and electrically controls a speed and a position of the bottom front flap finger mechanisms, wherein the eighth servomechanism moves the bottom front flap finger mechanisms towards and away from the mandrel, and the bottom front flap finger mechanisms press at least a portion of the blank against the mandrel.

9. The machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a retractable bottom back flap plate that is positioned adjacent to the mandrel, wherein a ninth servomechanism is operatively connected to the bottom back flap plate and electrically controls a speed and a position of the bottom back flap plate, wherein the ninth servomechanism moves the bottom back flap plate towards and away from the mandrel, and the bottom back flap plate presses at least a portion of the blank against the mandrel.

10. The machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a retractable end panel presser assembly that is positioned adjacent to the mandrel, wherein a tenth servomechanism is operatively connected to the end panel presser assembly and electrically controls a speed and a position of the end panel presser assembly, wherein the retractable end panel presser assembly comprises a retractable end panel presser and an actuating mechanism, wherein the tenth servomechanism moves the end panel presser towards and away from the mandrel, and the end panel presser presses at least a portion of the blank against the mandrel.

Assignees

• Westrock Shared Services Llc

Inventors

• Strong Benjamin
• Lowe Brian

Classifications

• B65D5/029 Primary

  the tubular body presenting a special shape (pyramidal B65D5/008) · CPC title

• B31B50/28 Primary

  around mandrels, e.g. for forming bottoms · CPC title

• B65D5/10

  with end closures formed by inward-folding of self-locking flaps hinged to tubular body · CPC title

• B31B50/81

  Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings · CPC title