US2783694A - Bottom cutting and inserting mechanism, including a mouth shaping operation for paper container making machines - Google Patents

Description

March 5, 1957 B. A. WITTKUHNS EI'AL 2,783,694

BOTTOM CUTTING AND mssmuc MECHANISM, mcwnmc A MOUTH SHAPING OPERATION FOR PAPER CONTAINER MAKING mcnmss Original Filed April 26, 1951 e Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. BRUNO A. W/TTKUHNS. BY 6/U3ERT F- HILL.

A ZW

HTTORNEK March 5, 1957 a. A. WITTKUHNS ETAL 2,733,694

BOTTOM CUTTING AND INSERTING MECHANISM, INCLUDING A MOUTH SHAPING OPERATION FOR PAPER CONTAINER MAKING MACHINES Original Filed April 26, 1951 e Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR5. BRUNO fl- W/TTKUHNS GILBERT F. HILL.

ATTORNE K Much 5, 1957 a. A. WITTKUHNS EI'AL 2,783,694

BOTTOM CUTTING AND INSERTING MECHANISM, INCLUDING A MOUTH SHAPING OPERATION FOR PAPER CONTAINER MAKING mcamss Ongmal Filed April 26, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS. BRUNO qw/rrnumvs. GILBERT F-H/LL.

March 1957 B. A. WITTKUHNS ET AL 2,783,694

BOTTOM currmc AND msaarmc MECHANISM, mcwnmc A MOUTH SHAPING OPERATION FOR PAPER CONTAINER MAKING MACHINES Original Filed April 26, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 A INVENTORS. BAUNO A. WITTKUHNS.

LL BY GALBERT F A TTORNEK March 5, 1957 B. A. WITTKUHNS ETAL 2,783,694

BOTTOM CUTTING AND INSERTING MECHANISM, INCLUDING A MOUTH SHAPING OPERATION FOR PAPER CONTAINER MAKING MACHINES' Original Filed April 26, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TORS.

@\ 5 3 5:7 522 SW BY GILBERT F-HILL.

Arrokms x v BRUNO AWITTKUHNS.

BOTTOM CUTTING AND INSERTING MECHANI INCLUDING A MOUTH SHAPING OPERATION FOR PAPER CONTAINER MAKING MACHINES Original Filed April 26, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 4s 7 l l I i I l I.

L TL Q 494 485 INVENTORS. BKU/x/O A- WITTKUHNS GIL BERT F.H/L.

\ I BY N l\\\\\\ ATTORNEK United States Patent 6 i BOTTOM CUTTING AND INSERTING MECHA- NISM, INCLUDING A MOUTH SHAPING P- ERATION FOR PAPER CONTAINER MAKING MACHINES Bruno A. Wittkulms, Summit, and Gilbert F. Hill,

- Madison, N. J.

Original application April 26, 1951, Seriai No. 223,011,

now Patent No. 2,719,466, dated Gctober 4, 1955. Divided and this application June 16, 1953, Serial No. 370,769

4 Claims. (Cl. 9355.1)

of the described character, and is a division of our copending and prior filed application, Serial No. 223,011, filed April 26, 1951, for Machine for Making Paper Containers, now Patent No. 2,719,466 dated October 4, 1955.

Paper containers have, prior to this invention, been made in various shapes and forms for holding milk, fruit juices and other liquid or free flowing materials. Certain of these previous paper containers have been formed to the general shape of glass bottles, that is, a shape or form including a cylindrical lower portion and a truncated conical, contiguous neck portion. Paper containers having the described shape are particularly desirable and convenient for the packaging and transportation or delivery of milk and other liquid products since such containers are suited for filling on existing standard glass bottle filling equipment and may be conveniently grasped and carried at the truncated neck portion thereof.

As shown in the co-pending applications of Bruno A. Wittkuhns, H. George D. Nutting and Gilbert F. Hill, Serial No. 85,781, filed April 6, 1949, now Patent No. 2,642,785, Serial No. 85,782, filed April 6, 1949, now Patent No. 2,642,784, and Serial No. 85,783, filed April 6, 1949, now Patent No. 2,674,929, paper containers simulating the shape of glass bottles may each be formed from a rectangular blank and a curved blank, cut from respective continuous webs or strips of paper, and paired for winding together into a container body of double-ply construction, with the curved blank providing the truncated conical neck portion of the body and being interleavened during the winding operation with the rectangular blank which forms the cylindrical portion in a manner to form a mid-sectional joint. The paper plies forming the container body are bonded together by an adhesive layer sandwiched therebetween, and the contracted end of the neck portion is spun over and shaped to form a reinforced mouth at that end of the container body for supporting and retaining a removable closure, while the large or bottom end of the container body is closed by a bottom disc having a depending marginal skirt which is spun inwardly together with the adjacent end portion of the container body to form a rolled bead sealing the bottom of the container body and providing a reinforced supporting base. In order to stiffen or strengthen the neck portion and to shape it to closely simulating the corresponding part of a glass bottle, the neck portion is formed with a plurality of longitudinal flutes extending from above the midsectional seam to the reinforced mouth.

A machine of the kind to which the present invention relates comprises a first blank preparing assembly for successively cutting curved or arcuate blanks from a continuous web or strip of paper, for separating the cut 2,783,694 Patented Mar. 5, 1957 arcuate blanks from the remainder or waste of the paper web or strip, and for applying adhesive to suitable areas of each arcuate blank and crimping the trailing end portion of the blank as the latter is fed or transported to a winding station; and a second blank preparing assembly, operating in synchronism with the first blank preparing assembly, for applying printed matter to a continuous web or strip of paper at suitably spaced locations along the length thereof, for successively cutting the printed web or strip along spaced transverse lines to provide rectangular blanks and simultaneously crimping the trailing end portion of each rectangular blank, and for applying adhesive to a suitable area of each rectangular blank while feeding or transporting such blank to the winding station in paired relation to a corresponding arcuate blank. Such a machine further includes a first mandrel supporting conveyor, preferably in the form of a turret, which is indexed periodically and in synchronism with the first and second blank preparing assemblies to carry the plurality of mandrels successively to and from dwelling position at a plurality of operating stations disposed at spaced apartlocations along the path of travel of the mandrels, as defined by the movement of the turret. These operating stations in the order in which they are arranged include the winding station at which devices are located for winding each pair of arcuate and rectangular blanks ,fed thereto onto the mandrel then in dwelling position at the winding station to form a wound container body on the mandrel; a pressing station having a device located thereat for pressing the wound container body on the mandrel in dwelling position at the pressing station to compress the midsectional seam and the longitudinal seam of the truncated conical portion of the container body and thus provide a secure bond; a mouth spinning station at which devices are located for spinning engagement with the contracted end of the container body on the mandrel in dwelling position at the spinning station to form a reinforcing rolled bead at the mouth of the container body; and a stripping station at which devices are located for removing the container body axially from the mandrel in dwelling position at the stripping station. In order to facilitate the spinning operations which form the reinforcing beads at the mouth end and base end of the container body and to prevent burning of the latter during such operations, a parafiin applying unit is arranged adjacent the path of travel of the mandrels, between the pressing and mouth spinning stations, for depositing small quantities of paraffin onto each container body, adjacent the opposite ends thereof, as the supporting mandrel is being indexed to the mouth spinning station. Each machine of the described character still further includes a second conveyor, preferably in the form of a turntable, which carries a series of container body receiving cells successively to and from dwelling position at a plurality of operating stations arranged at spaced apart locations along the path of travel of the cells, as defined by the movement of the turntable. The operating stations associated with the cell carrying turntable, in the order in which they are arranged, include a loading station aligned with the stripping station associated with the turret so that a cell dwelling at the loading station is in position to receive a container body as the latter is removed from its supporting mandrel; a fluting, mouth shaping and glue applying station at which devices are located for simultaneously forming longitudinal flutes in the neck portion of the container body in the cell dwelling at the related station, initially shaping the head at the mouth of that container body so that a removable closure will be retained therein, and applying glue to the inner surface of that container body adjacent the base end thereof; a bottom punching and inserting station at which devices embodying the present invention are located for punching circular blanks from a continuous web or strip of paper, forming each circular blank into a bottom member of cup-like configuration and inserting the formed blank into the bottom end of the container body in the cell dwelling at the bottom punching and inserting station so that the skirt or marginal wall portion of the bottom member engages against the band of adhesive applied to the container body at the preceding station, and for completing the shaping of the head at the mouth of the container body in the cell dwelling at the bottom punching and inserting station; a bottom spinning station at which devices are located for spinning engagement with the bottom end of the container body to roll the bottom end portion together with the skirt of the "bottom member inwardly thus sealing the bottom of the container body and forming a reinforcing and supporting base for the container body, and for supporting the bottom member in position within the container body carried by the cell dwelling at the bottom spinning station during the performance of the bottom spinning operation; and an ejecting station at which devices are located for "pneumatically removing the container body from the cell dwelling at the ejecting station.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the described character capable of producing paper containers automatically, economically and without imperfections at high production speeds.

A specific object of the present invention resides in the provision of devices at two successive stations for shaping the month end of the container body, each of the devices including anvil segments movable axially into the mouth of a container body dwelling at the related station and then radially to form a circumferential groove in the inner surface of the mouth for retaining a removable closure therein. The second of the mouth shaping de- Vices referred to herein, being operative to eliminate the ridges formed between the anvil segments of the first mouth shaping device so that a smooth seat is provided for the removable closure member.

Another specific object is to provide mouth shaping devices at two successive stations which are operated simultaneously by a common fluid pressure operated device for rough shaping and finish shaping the mouth of the container bodies dwelling at the related stations.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the described character including a device for punching a circular blank from a continuous paper strip or web, shaping the circular blank to provide a bottom member of cup-shaped configuration, and inserting the shaped bottom member into the base and of a container body dwelling at the related station, and improved feeding mechanism for intermittently engaging the paper strip or web to advance the latter to the punching, shaping and inserting device, and for holding the paper strip or web against return or backward movement during the periods when the advancing mechanism is out of engagement with the paper strip or web.

Another specific object is to provide a bottom punching, shaping and inserting device of the described character having a cutting assembly associated therewith for cutting the waste or scrap remains of the paper strip or web into easily disposable pieces after the bottom forming blanks have been punched therefrom.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in thefollowing detailed description of a specific embodiment, while the invention consists of the novel combinations, arrangements of parts and details of construction set forth in the description and shown in the drawings and then more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a portion of a machine for making paper containers embodying the present invention wherein the container bodies are formed;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view, with the lower turret partly broken away, showing the several devices located below that turret;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view showing the mechanism for actuating mouth shaping devices;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a bottom punching, forming and inserting device included in the machine embodying the present invention and taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of the bottom punching, forming and inserting device of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a second mouth shaping device taken along the line 88 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevational view of a device for intermittently feeding a paper strip to the bottom punching, forming and inserting device of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1, 2 3 thereof, a machine 10 of the described character in which the container bodies are formed is there seen to include a substantially rectangular base 11 having two upstanding support members 12 and 13 adjacent one end and a pedestal or support 14 substantially at the center of the front portion of the base. An L-shaped frame member 15 has one leg extending forwardly, or toward the viewer in Fig. 1, and mounted on the support members 12 and 13, and its other leg extending longitudinally of the base 11 to rest upon a lug 16 extending from pedestal 14. The continuous paper strip or Web from which the arcuate blanks are formed is stored in the form of a roll 17 which is rotatably mounted between brackets 18 extending forwardly from the support members 12 and 13.

The paper strip is drawn off the top of roll 17 toward the rear and is fed to a curved blank cutting assembly which is mounted above the forwardly extending leg of frame 15 by an auxiliary frame part 19 and is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20.

Positioned after the curved blank cutting assembly 20, described above, is a separator assembly constructed to perform a dual function. The separator assembly 100 first serves to dispose of the paper scrap so that it will not interfere with the further advancing of the curved blanks, and also serves to advance and swing or turn the blanks to the required position for further movement along a conveyor to the winding station. It is necessary to swing or turn the curved blanks after they have been cut in order to satisfy the dual requirements of economy in the use of paper, that is, cutting the blanks from the paper strip so that a minimum of paper is wasted, and of etficiency in holding the overall dimensions of the machine to a minimum for easy installation and servicing.

A conveyor assembly 136 is mounted on the longitudinally extending leg of the frame 15 (Fig. l) to receive the curved blank after the latter has been turned on the separator assembly 100 described above and then advance the curved blank to the winding station while glue is applied to selected areas of the blank and the trailing end portion is crimped.

Since the curved blank is destined to form the frustoconical neck part of the container and must be wound on the suitably tapered frusto-conical portion of the mandrel 181 at the winding station a problem is presented in feeding the curved blank to the tapering surface of the sembly, conveyor assembly and turntable assembly are all integrated and synchronized to successively cut curved blanks and advance the same to the take-up or winding station in position for winding on the frusto-conical portion of the mandrel 181 then residing at the winding station. While these assemblies are successively performing the respective functions, other mechanisms are simultaneously operating during each cycle to provide a suitably formed rectangular blank positioned at the winding station in proper relation to the curved blank for winding with the latter onto the mandrel to form the container body.

The mechanism for preparing the rectangular blanks for winding draws a continuous strip-or web of paper from a roll, applies printed matter to the strip at suitably spaced locations, and then, during movement along a rectangular blank feeder or conveyor 230 (Fig. 3), cuts the strip into rectangular sections or blanks while simultaneously crimping the trailing end portion of each blank, applies glue to the trailing half of the upper surface of each blank and forwards the glued blanks to the winding station while registering each blank longitudinally and laterally relative to the corresponding one of the curved or arcuate blanks and relative to the mandrel at the winding station.

The mechanism for preparing the rectangular blanks is carried by a cantilever support 214 extending rearwardly from the central support pedestal 14 (Fig. 3) and having brackets 215 at its rear end between which a roll of paper 216 is rotatably mounted. Upstanding frame members 217 and 218 are mounted on the cantilever support 214, adjacent the rear and forward ends, respectively, of the latter, and a printing unit 219 is positioned between these frame members.

As seen in Figs. 1 and 2 f the drawing, an upper turret assembly 272 is rotatably mounted on a turret supporting frame 273 which extends longitudinally of the base 11 and is supported at one end on the central pedestal 14 and at the other end on a frame member 274 extending upwardly from the base at the end of the latter remote from the cutting assembly 20. For the present it is sufficient to state that the turret is driven to provide for the rotation of the hub 276 through an angle of 90 for each cycle of the machine, with the hub being maintained for a predetermined interval at an indexed position dur' ing each cycle. A radially extending mandrel assembly 181 is mounted on each of the four flat side faces of the hub 276 for swinging movement with the latter along an orbital path which lies in a vertical plane in front of the frame 273. The axis of rotation of the hub is disposed so that, when each mandrel assembly 181 reaches the horizontal position extending toward the conveyor assembly 130, that mandrel assembly is then at the winding station to have a rectangular blank paired with a curved blank wound thereon.

A winder assembly 294 (Fig. 2) is located at the wind ing station and operates to rotate the mandrel in residence at that station and to guide a pair of rectangular and arcuate blanks around the rotated mandrel to encase the latter in a container body of double layers of paper with an interlocked seam between the cylindrical and conical portions thereof.

After the paired rectangular and curved blanks have been wound upon the mandrel to form a container body encasing the mandrel shell, the turret is rotated 90 in a clock-wise direction as viewed from the front to next position the container body carrying mandrel at a pressing station, which station is located at the top center of the orbital path followed by the mandrels. A pressing assembly 330 (Fig. l) is disposed at the pressing station and operates on the container body carried by the mandrel in residence at the related station to press together the doubled layers of the curved blank forming the conical portion of the body and to press the lower edge of the curved blank onto the underlying portion of the rectangularv blank forming the cylindrical portion of the body so that a secure and tight bond is obtained at the several seams and between the doubled layers.

From the pressing station the container body supporting mandrel is moved to a mouth forming station, by further rotation of the upper turret 272 through an angle of at which station a rolled bead or rim is formed on the end of the conical portion of the container body by a spinning operation. However, in moving from the pressing station to the mouth forming station, each container body supporting mandrel 181 sweeps past a wax pot assembly 337 (Fig. 1) which applies parafiin or wax to the container body adjacent its opposite ends to act as a lubricant during subsequent spinning operatrons.

A mouth spinner assembly 345 (Figs. 1 and 2) is located at the mouth forming station which is diametrically opposed to the winding station and operates to form a rolled head or rim on the conical end of the container body carried by the mandrel then residing at the mouth spinning or forming station.

After the rolled bead or rim has been formed on the conical end of the container body to define a mouth, the upper turret 272 is further indexed through 90 to position the container body supporting mandrel at a stripping or transfer station, at which station the mandrel extends vertically down from the turret hub. A transfer assembly 366 (Fig. 1) is located at the stripping or transfer station to remove the container body from the mandrel at that station.

A lower turret assembly, generally indicated by the reference numeral 393 (Figs. 1, 4 and 6), which receives the container body at the stripping or transfer station includes a turntable having a circular table portion 394 and a depending, hollow base portion within which a king pin or fixed pedestal extends for rotatably supporting the turntable. The king pin extends vertically from the base 11 of the machine and is positioned so that the six equally spaced container body receiving cells, each generally indicated by the numeral 397 and mounted on the turntable, travel along a circular path which at the transfer station is in vertical alignment with a vertical line passing through the axis of rotation of the upper turret. While the drive of the upper turret it arranged to index it one-quarter of a revolution during each cycle of the machine, the drive of the lower turret assembly, having six equally spaced container body receiving cells 397, is arranged to index the turntable only one-sixth of a revolution during each cycle of the machine.

Each of the cells 397 is formed to receive a container body in inverted position and to prevent falling through of the body. The container body, when positioned in the cell, has its month end extending substantially below the turntable and its base end extending above the top surface of the turntable. Further, each cell 397 pref erably includes clamping means for holding the container body in the related cell and operative to produce a moderate clamping action when the cell is located at a glue applying, fiuting and mouth shaping station, and a strong clamping action while the cell is indexed to two subsequent stations at which a bottom is inserted in the supported container and the mouth end of the latter is further shaped or finished and at which the base end of the container and the bottom are rolled together in a spinning operation, while the clamping means are completely released during residence of the cell at a following ejection station and at the loading or transfer station.

After receiving the container body at the transfer station, indicated at A in Fig. 4, the lower turret is indexed one-sixth of a revolution, in a clockwise direction as viewed from the top, to position the container body supporting cell 397 at the fluting, mouth shaping and glue applying station, indicated at B in Fig. 4. A glue applying' and anvil assembly 416 (Fig. 2) is positioned above the turntable and a flute forming and mouth shaping assembly 417 (Fig. 4) is positioned below the turntable at station B. The glue applying and anvil assembly 416 and the flute forming and mouth shaping assembly 417 cooperate to apply a band of adhesive on the internal surface of the container body at station B adjacent the base end of the container body, to form axially extending flutes in the conical portion of that container body so that the conical portions assume substantially the shape of a conventional glass bottle neck, and to roughly shape the inner surface of the rim or bead at the mouth end of the container body to provide an annular groove destined to receive and retain the periphery of a conventional bottle top or cap. These assemblies may be can structed in the manner disclosed in the United States patent application of Bruno A. Wittkuhns, H. George D. Nutting and Gilbert P. Hill, Serial No. 85,782, filed April 6, 1949, now Patent No. 2,642,784 dated January 23, 1953, or in the manner disclosed particularly in our copending application, Serial No. 370,768, filed June 16, 1953, now Patent No. 2,719,465, dated October 4, 1955, for Bottom Gluing and Fluting Mechanism for Paper Container Making Machines, or in any other manner suitable to deliver container bodies in the necessary condition to the devices embodying the present invention.

When the operations performed at the fluting, glue applying and mouth shaping station B have been completed, the cell 397 carying a container body is next moved to a bottom inserting and mouth. shaping station C (Fig. 4) by further indexing the lower turret turntable one-sixth of a revolution. At this station, are located the devices embodying the present invention which include a bottom punching and inserting assembly 484 (Figs. 2, 6 and 7) located above the turntable, and a second swagcr assembly 485 (Figs. 4, and 8) is located below the turntable 394 to further shape and smooth the mouth of the container body so that the bottle cap or top will fit tightly in the annular groove and leaks will be prevented.

The second swager assembly 485 (Fig. 8) includes a substantially cylindrical casing 486 having a vertically 'reciprocablc piston-like body 457 therein which is formed with a central bore 488 to slidably receive a rod 489 having a conical upper end 490. The lower end of rod 489, is mounted on a bottom plate or platform 491 below the body 487. Guide rods 492 extend axially on the body and slidably through suitable openings in the bottom plate or platform 49.1 to guide the latter in its movement relative to the body, and compression coil springs 493 are disposed on the guide rods to resiliently urge the platform 491, and hence the rod 489, downward relative to the body 487 and against stop nuts 494 on the lower ends of the guide rods 492.

An annular top plate 495 is secured to the top of the casing 486 and is formed with a central opening of a diameter smaller than that of the body 487 to limit the upward movement of the latter. A circular holder 496 is secured to the top of the body 487 and is formed with an outer diameter sufiiciently small so that it may project upwardly through the opening of the top plate 495. The holder 496 is formed with circular recesses 497 and 498 in the top and bottom surfaces thereof, respectively, and with a central bore 499 communicating the recesses with each other. A top recess 497 mounted on a base 475 is formed to receive the mouth portion of a container body carried by the cell in residence at the bottom punching and inserting and mouth shaping station C when the body 487 is in its raised position.

The holder 496 retains a series of radially movable circularly arranged mouth shaping sectors 500 having ,mouth shaping portions extending into the top recess 497 for engagement with the inner surface of the mouth portion of the container body. A circular spring 501 encircling the mouth shaping sectors 500 within the recess 498 resiliently urges the sectors to a radially retracted position, and the conical top end 490 of the central rod 489 extends into the central space defined by the inner ends of the sectors, when the platform 491 is moved upwardly relative to the body 487, to thereby radially expand the sectors 500.

In order to effect vertical reciprocation of the body 487, a rock shaft 502 is journalled in the lower portion of the casing 486 and has a crank arm 503 fixed thereon and connected at its free end to the platform 491 by pivoted connecting links 504. When the rock shaft 502 is rocked in one direction, the platform 491 is raised and resiliently pushes the body 487 ahead of it until the latter contacts the top plate 495 and then the platform 491 and rod 489 continue upwardly against the force of the springs 493 to radially expand the mouth shaping sectors 500 and thus further shape and smooth the internal, circumferential groove at the mouth of the container body.

The action of the air cylinder 474 of assembly 473 (Fig. 5) is utilized for rocking the rock shaft 502 and for this purpose an actuating arm member 505 extends radially from the rock shaft 502 with connecting links 506 being pivotally connected between the free ends of the actuating arm member 505 and the block or head 476 mounted on the piston rod of the air cylinder assembly. The actuating arm member 505 is angularly positioned on the rock shaft so that the platform 491 and body 487 are in downwardly retracted position during indexing of the turntable 394 and are raised to perform the mouth shaping and smoothing function during the dwell interval of the turntable. The air cylinder assembly 473 is preferably also employed for actuating the time forming and mouth shaping assembly 417 located at station B below the turntable and, for this purpose, horizontal, spaced apart lower and upper gear racks 477 and 478 (Fig. 5) extend from the block or head 476 and are guided by rollers 481. The upper and lower gear racks 478 and 477 respectively mesh-with spur gears 479 and 480 at the opposite sides of the frame 449 of the assembly 417, While the latter, as more particularly described in our co-pending application, Serial No. 370,768, filed June 16, 1953, now Patent No. 2,719,465 dated October 4, 1955, includes structure for translating the rotation of the spur gears 479 and 480 into the necessary operational movements. Finally, a sprocket 482 is fixed on the shaft carrying the gear 479 to rotate with the latter and engages a continuous chain 382 employed for effecting operation of the transfer assembly 366 (Fig. 1). Thus, the single air cylinder assembly 473 causes simultaneous and synchronous operation of the transfer assembly 366, the fluting and mouth shaping assembly 417 and the mouth finishing or finalshaping assembly 485.

The assembly 484 (Figs. 6 and 7) for punching and inserting the bottom for the container includes a housing 507 which is formed with pads 508 at one side to be secured to the rear of the turret supporting frame 273 and overlies an opening formed in the bottom flange of the latter. The housing 507 provides an open ended cylinder 509 within which a punch shear assembly, generally indicated by the numeral 510, reciprocates vertically. The punch shear assembly 510 includes a piston or punch ram 511 slidable in the cylinder 509 and having a centrally located, upwardly extending hollow tube 511 fixed thereto to project slidably through a central opening of a housing cover 513.

A cup shaped packing 514 is secured to the piston or punch ram 511 adjacent its upper end and a circular punch .blade 515 iscarriedby the ram at its lower edge. A concentric, circular recess or counterbore 516 is formed in the piston or ram 511 and opens at the lower-surface of the latter as well as into the lower end of hollow tube 512. A blank forming piston or ram 517 is disposed in the circular recess 516 of the ram and has an upstanding, central rod 518 fixed thereto to extend slidably upward through the hollow tube 512. The ram 517 has a cupshaped packing 519 at its upper edge to provide an airtight seal against the surface of the circular recess 516 in which it works. The inner diameter of the hollow tube 512 is substantially greater than the diameter of the rod 518 to provide an annular space therebetween which opens at the bottom into the circular recess 516 of the ram 511 and is closed at the top by a bushing 520 carried by the hollow tube.

A fixed die cooperating with the above described structure for cutting the bottom blank and for forming this blank into a cup-like bottom includes a forming die 521 which is mounted in the opening of the bottom flange of frame 273 and is formed with a circular opening 522 having a stepped side Wall providing an upwardly facing annular shoulder on which a circular blank cutting die 523 is carried. The blank cutting die 523 has an inner diameter sufiicient to receive the cutting die 515 on the punch ram 511 when the latter is thrust downwardly, while the lower portion of the opening 522 in the forming die is large enough to receive the forming ram 517 but smaller than the diameter of the cutting die 515.

In cutting and forming blanks to provide bot-toms for the container bodies, and in inserting each formed bottom into the base end of the container body in residence at the related station C, a strip of paper is fed across the bottom flange of the frame 273 and between the base of housing 507 and the downwardly spaced top surface of the fixed forming die 521. The punch ram 511 is then displaced downwardly to cooperate with the fixed cutting die 523 in punching a circular blank from the paper strip, which circular blank is deposited on the upwardly facing shoulder of the forming die 521. The forming ram 517 is then displaced downwardly relative to the punch ram 511 to move the cut blank through the part of the opening 522 of reduced diameter at the bottom of the forming die, thus shaping the blank into a cup-shaped bottom member. Further downward movement of the forming ram 517 carries the cup-shaped bottom member into the container body then disposed at station C where the upstanding marginal wall of the bottom member engages the band of glue applied to the inner surface of the container body at the preceding fiuting, glue applying and mouth shaping station B. The punch and forming rams 511 and 517 are then raised to permit indexing of the lower turret turntable and the feeding of another section of paper strip into position for cutting and forming. In order. to prevent removal of the formed bottom member from the container body when the forming ram is withdrawn, the latter is provided with vent openings 524 com municating with the lower surface to reduce any suction effect on the bottom member from the return stroke of the forming ram.

The above noted operating movements are produced by compressed air, elfecting the downward strokes of the punch and forming rams, and by compression springs producing the return strokes. For this purpose, a suitably controlled supply of compressed air is led into the top of the housing 507 above the punch ram 511 through a suitable opening 525 in the cover 513. Radial openings 526 are formed in the hollow tube 512 to communicate with the atmosphere above the housing cover 513, when the punch ram 511 is in raised position, and to communicate with the space between the cover 513 and the top of the punch ram, when the latter has been driven downwardly by the compressed air, so that the compressed air may then flow through the annular space between the hollow tube 512 and the rod 518 into the recess 516 of the punch ram to act upon the forming ram 517 for movmg the latter downwardly relative to the punch ram. A yoke 527 is fixed n the hollow shaft 512 above the housing cover and a compression spring 528 is interposed between the yoke and the housing cover for resiliently urging the hollow shaft and punch ram 511 upwardly to effect the return stroke of the latter when the supply of compressed air is interrupted. A spacer 529 is disposed between the housing cover and the yoke 527 to limit the downward stroke of the punch ram 511 so that the cut blank will not be clamped against the shoulder of the forming die 521 and may be moved into the container body by the downward stroke of the forming ram 517. Another yoke 530 is fixed on the upper end of the rod 518 above the hollow shaft, and a compression spring 531 is interposed between the yokes 527 and 530 to resiliently urge the forming ram 517 to a raised position within the punch ram 511. The upper end of the hollow shaft 512, when it is engaged by the yoke 530, acts as a stop to limit the extension of the forming ram 517 out of the punch ram 511.

In order to cushion the final increments of the downward strokes of the punch and forming rams, dash pot assemblies 532 are provided at diametrically opposed locations to cooperate with the yokes on the hollow shaft 512 and rod 518. Each dash pot assembly includes a cylindrical housing 533 mounted on the housing cover 513 and having a piston (not shown) working therein. A piston rod 534 extends upwardly from the piston and has a reduced diameter intermediate portion 535 on which the yoke 527 is slidable and an extension 536 at the top, of reduced diameter, on which the yoke 536 is slidable. The piston rod 534 is dimensioned so that the yoke 527 engages the shoulder 537 defining the lower end of the reduced diameter intermediate portion 535 during the final increment of the downward stroke of the punch ram 511 to slow the final movement of the latter, and so that the yoke 530 engages the shoulder 538 at the top end of the piston rod only during the final increment of the downward stroke of the forming ram 517 relative to the punch ram 511 to thereby slow the final movement of the forming ram. The piston rod 534 and piston connected thereto are raised during the return or upward stroke of the punch ram 511 by the engagement of the yoke 527 with the shoulder defining the upper end of the intermediate reduced diameter portion 535 of the piston rod.

The paper strip is fed to the bottom punching and forming assembly 484 from a paper roll 539 (Figs. 1 and 2) rotatably mounted at the adjacent end of the machine by a feeding device 540 (Figs. 2 and 9) which intermittently advances the paper strip during the indexing of the lower turret 393. This feeding device (Fig. 9) includes a bracket 541 mounted on the rear flange of frame member 273 and supporting a rotatable shaft 542 above that flange, which shaft has a driving sprocket 543 thereon which is continuously rotated by a suitably driven chain 659 passing over an idler sprocket 661. A series of feeding members 544 are fixed on shaft 542 and are formed with radially raised peripheral portions engageable with the paper strip drawn from the roll 539 and passing over a back-up roller 545 projecting through a suitable opening in the flange of the frame 273. Thus, the feeding members 544 are effective to advance the paper strip when the raised peripheral portions thereof are in engagement with the strip. In order to prevent backward movement of the paper strip, a stop member 546 is pivoted on the bracket 541 and inclines downwardly in the direction of the feeding movement of the paper strip for engagement with the latter. A suitable torsion spring (not shown) acts on the stop member 546 to urge the latter resiliently against the paper strip so that the stop member permits movement of the strip in the feeding direction and resists movement of the strip in the opposite direction. 1

In order to cut the paper scrap coming from the bottom punching and forming assembly 484 into easily disposable waste pieces, a vertically reciprocatable shear blade 547 ismounted at the exit side of the housing 507 to cooperate with a fixed blade 548 in cuttingthe paper scrap along spaced lateral lines. Suitable link means (not shown) is connected to the blade 547 to reciprocate the latter, preferably in response to movements of the punch ram 511.

The flow of compressed air to the bottom punching and forming assembly 484 is controlled so that the punch and forming rams 511 and 517, respectively, are retracted within the housing 507 during indexing of the lower turret turntable and are actuated through a bottom punching, forming and inserting cycle during each dwell interval of the turntable.

The next indexing movement of the lower turret turntable 394 carries the container body having a bottom member inserted therein from the bottom punching, forming and inserting station C, at which the mouth is also further shaped, to a bottom spinning station D (Fig. 4), at which the base edge portion of the container body and the flange of the bottom member are rolled together to form a sturdy and leak-proof rolled joint which serves as a support base for the completed container.

To perform this function, a bottom spinner assembly 549 (Fig. l) is disposed above the lower turret turntable, and a bottom erector assembly 556 (Fig. 4) is disposed below the turntable, both assemblies being located at the bottom spinning station D.

The bottom erector assembly 550 (Fig. 4) operates to support the bottom member of the container body in residence at the bottom spinning station D while the spinner is rolling the base edges thereof.

Further indexing of the lower turret turntable carries the completed container body, in mouth down position, from the bottom spinning station D to the container body ejecting station E (Fig. 4), at which station the container body is pneumatically removed upwardly from its supporting cell by an ejecting assembly 594 (Fig. 4) there located below the turntable 394.

it will be noted that, although the turntable has six cells thereon and is indexed one-sixth of a revolution during each cycle of the machine, only five operating stations are provided along the circular path of travel of the cells. T he sixth station P, (Fig. 4), following the ejecting staiion E, is utilized as an inspection or detecting station for determining whether the cell is empty and in condition to receive a container body at the subsequent transfer or loading station A.

Although the devices disposed at the bottom cutting and inserting and mouth shaping or finishing station and embodying the present invention have been described and illustrated herein in association with a particular paper container making machine, it is to be understood that these devices are not limited to use in that particular machine and can be employed for their stated purposes in any paper container making machine which is effective to deliver container bodies to the related station with a band of adhesive within the container body adjacent the latters base end and with a roughly shaped mouth rim or bead.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described and shown in detail, by way of illustration, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that changes and modifications, obvious to one skilled in the art, may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. lviechanism for blanking and inserting a bottom forming member into a container body including in combination, sang for supporting the container body, a die plate having a cuttin element and a forming opening therein, an air cylinder having one end thereof positioned over said forming opening, a cover plate for closing the other end of said cylinder to provide a primary air chamber therein, a piston head and a plunger block designed to reciprocate in said air cylinder, said piston head having a shell forming extension supporting a companion cutting element on the end thereof, said shell forming extension defining asecondary air chamber therein into which said plunger block may telescope, means defining an air passageway through said piston head for communication between said primary and secondary air chambers, means for supplying compressed air first to said primary air chamber and thence through said passageway defining means to said secondary air chamber to stroke said piston head and plunger block in one direction in timed relation and thereby blank, shape and insert the bottom forming member into the container body, and resilient means for returning said piston head and plunger block to starting position.

2. Mechanism for blanking and inserting a bottom forming member into a container body including in combination, means for supporting the container body, a die plate having a cutting element and a forming opening therein, an air cylinder having one end thereof positioned over said forming opening, a cover plate for closing the other end of said cylinder to provide a primary air chamber therein, a piston head and a plunger block designed to reciprocate in said air cylinder, said piston head having a shell forming extension supporting a companion cutting element on the end thereof, said shell forming extension defining a secondary air chamber therein into which said plunger block may telescope, a shaft having one end thereof secured to the plunger block, a sleeve member telescoping loosely over said shaft and having one end thereof secured to said piston head, said sleeve member and shaft defining an air passageway therebetween opening at one end into said secondary air chamber, said sleeve having a radial opening therein communicating with said primary air chamber in one position of said piston head, means for supplying compressed air first to said primary air chamber and thence through said radial opening and air passageway to said secondary air chamber to stroke said piston head and plunger block in one direction in timed relation and thereby blank, shape and insert the bottom forming member into the container body, and resilient means associated with said shaft and sleeve member for returning said piston head and plunger block to starting position.

3. Mechanism for blanking and inserting a bottom forming member into a container body including in combination, means for supporting the container body, a die plate having a cutting element and a forming opening therein, a guide cylinder having one end thereof positioned over said forming opening, a cover plate for closing the other end of said cylinder, a piston head and a plunger block designed to reciprocate in said cylinder, said piston head having a companion cutting element associated therewith operative to cooperate with said first named cutting element to blank out the bottom forming member from a paper strip, a shaft having one end thereof secured to the plunger block and extending through an axial bore in said piston head, a sleeve member telescoping over said shaft and having one end thereof secured to said piston head, power applying means for stroking said piston head and plunger block to thereby blank out, shape and insert a bottom forming member into the adjacent end of the container body, and resilient means for returning said piston head and plunger block to starting position, said resilient means including a primary yoke member fixed to said sleeve, an expansion spring embracing said sleeve member and seating between said cover member and primary yoke member, a secondary yoke member fixed to said shaft, and a second expansion spring seating between said primary yoke member and secondary yoke member.

4. Mechanism for blanking and inserting a bottom forming member into a container body including in combination, means for supporting the container body, a

die plate having a cutting element and a forming opening therein, an air cylinder having one end thereof positioned over said forming opening, a cover plate for closing the other end of said cylinder to provide a primary air chamber therein, a piston head and a plunger block designed to reciprocate in said air cylinder, said piston head having a companion cutting element associated therewith operative to cooperate with said first named cutting element to blank out a bottom forming member from a paper strip, a secondary air chamber in said air cylinder defined between said piston head and plunger block, a shaft having one end thereof secured to the plunger block, a sleeve member telescoping loosely over said shaft out of said primary air chamber and having one end thereof secured to said piston head, said sleeve -member and shaft defining an air passageway therebetween opening at one end into said secondary air chamber, said sleeve having a radial opening therein communicating with said primary air chamber in one position of said piston head, means for supplying compressed air first to said primary air chamber and then through said radial opening and air passageway to said secondary air chamber to stroke said piston head and plunger block in one direction to thereby blank, shape and insert said bottom forming blank into the adjacent end of the container body, and means for dampening the final increment of blank cutting and inserting movement of said piston head and plunger block, said dampening means including a pair of dash pots each having a piston plate telescoping therein, a piston rod extending from each of said piston plates, and lost motion means operably connecting said shaft and said sleeve to said piston rods.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 991,509 Jenkins May 9, 1911 1,075,796 Stutz et a1. Oct. 14, 1913 1,962,171 Bodor June 12, 1934 2,447,855 Goodwin et al. Aug. 24, 1948 2,546,621 Wixon et al Mar. 27, 1951 2,580,846 Sayre et al.- Jan. 1, 1952

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