METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING CARDBOARD BOXES BY GLUING, COMPUTER PROGRAM, AND COMPUTER-READABLE DEVICE THAT HAS STORED SAID PROGRAM

Abstract

The present invention provides a method to form cardboard boxes (B) by gluing into a box-forming machine (100) from sheets (S), said machine (100), a computer program with instructions for said machine (100) to execute said method, and a computer-readable device that has stored said computer program. In this method, a stage (f) of the movement of inserting a pintle (20) into a mold (30) starts with a controlling element (70) when the position (P) of a drag element (11) of sheet (S) to a delivery position, where you place a sheet (S) aligned between said pintle (20) and mold (30), it corresponds to a second intermediate position (P2) between a source position and said delivery position; and a stage (b) of activation of a supplying actuator (61) starts with a controlling element (70) to supply a sheet (S) subsequent to the source position, when the position (P) of said drag element (11) corresponds to a third intermediate position (P3) between said source position and said second position (P2).

Claims

1. A method for forming cardboard boxes (B) by gluing in a box-forming machine (100) from sheets (S), comprising: (a) receiving, in a computer-programmable controller element (70), operational values (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6) for a given type and measurements of a box (B) to be formed sent from a user interface (73); (b) activating a supplying actuator (61) of a supplying mechanism, by said computer-programmable controller element (70), by sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to said supplying actuator (61), to supply a sheet (S) from an initial position wherein it is supported in a stacked sheet loader (60) to a source position; (c) moving a drag element (11) to drag said sheet (S), sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to a rotary motor (12) operationally coupled to said drag element (11), along positions according to a linear drag direction (T), associated with respective sheet positions (S), from said source position to a delivery position, wherein said sheet (S) is placed between a pintle (20) and a mold (30), with a plurality of forming elements (31), each activatable by a respective actuator (32), arranged around a slot (33) wherein said pintle (20) is insertable; (d) continuously reading the position of said drag element (11) associated with the position of said sheet (S) during said moving a drag element, in said computer-programmable controller element (70); (e) activating glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), to deposit hot-glue cords (50) parallel to each other on said sheet (S) during said moving a drag element, sending respective indicative signals from a said computer-programmable controller element (70) to each of the glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), when the position of said drag element (11) read during said continuously reading coincides with one or more respective pre-established first positions included in the respective sets of pre-established activation positions (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6), of each of these glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), programmable and previously received in said receiving; (f) moving said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion, from a position of extraction, to allow the sheet (S) to be positioned in the delivery position, and to an inserted position, wherein said pintle (20) is inserted into said slot (33), sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to a rotary motor (41) of a pintle drive (40) configured to steer said pintle (20); (g) pressing, by said pintle (20) during said moving said pintle (20) according to said linear sense of insertion, a portion of said sheet (S) arranged between said slot (33) and pintle (20) in the delivery position, to the inside of the slot (33), wherein said pintle (20) and said mold (30) form the box by bending and bonding by gluing and pressuring different parts of said sheet (S) with others; and (h) moving said pintle (20), according to a sense of extraction contrary to said linear sense of insertion, from said position of insertion to said position of extraction, by sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to a rotary motor (41) of a pintle drive (40) configured to steer said pintle (20); wherein said moving of said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion is initiated by said computer-programmable controller element (70) when the position (P) of said drag element (11) read at said continuously reading corresponds to a second position (P2) intermediate between those source and delivery positions, with said second position (P2) being defined by a programmable operational value (P2x, T5x) previously entered by a user in said user interface (73); and wherein said activating of said supplying actuator (61) is initiated again by said computer-programmable controller element (70), in order to supply a sheet (S) subsequent to said previous sheet (S), when the position (P) of said drag element (11) read at said continuously reading corresponds to a third position (P3) intermediate between said source position and said second position (P2), with said third position (P3) being defined by an operational value (P3x, T6x) programmable previously entered by a user in said user interface (73).

2. The method according to claim 1, further including turning in the same direction said rotary motor (12) during said moving a drag element, which is operationally coupled to an auger flexible transmission element (14) wherein said drag element (11) and another drag element (11) are mounted at mutually opposite ends, by a signal sent from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to said rotary motor (12), moving those two drag elements (11) according to opposite directions of the linear drag direction (T), alternating between the source and delivery positions, synchronizing the moving of the drag element with movement of the other drag element (11) that does not drag sheet (S) from the delivery position to the source position to drag a subsequent sheet.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said second position (P2) is defined by an operational value corresponding with a second programmable preset position (P2x) of the drag element (11), previously received at said receiving.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said second position (P2) is defined by an operational value corresponding with a preset complementary time period (T5x), positioning the drag element (11) in said second position (P2) after having in said computer-programmable controller element (70) said preset complementary time period (T5x) of programmable duration, starting to count said preset complementary time period (T5x) after detecting, in said computer-programmable controller element (70), a position of the drag element (11) dragging the sheet (S) or a position at a front or rear of said sheet in a second previous position (P20), intermediate between said source position and said second position (P2).

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein said third position (P3) is defined by an operational value corresponding with a third preset position (P3x) programmable of the drag element (11), previously received at said receiving.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein said third position (P3) is defined by an operational value corresponding with a—preset auxiliary time period (T6x), positioning the drag element (11) in said third position (P3) after having in said computer-programmable controller element (70)—said preset auxiliary time period (T6x) of programmable duration, starting to count said preset auxiliary time period (T6x) after detecting, in said computer-programmable controller element (70), a position of the drag element (11) dragging the sheet (S) or a position at a front or rear of said sheet in a third previous position (P30), intermediate between said source position and said third position (P3).

7. The method according to claim 2, further including: (k) detecting a change in the position of the pintle (20) from the position of extraction, receiving said computer-programmable controller element (70) an indicative signal sent by a pintle position detector device (2, 8) or reading in said computer-programmable controller element (70) said indicative signal sent by the computer-programmable controller element (70) to said rotary motor (41) at moving said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion; and (l) activating such actuators (32) of these forming elements (31), sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to those actuators (32), after counting in said controller element (70) a preset secondary time period (T2x) of programmable duration previously received at said receiving, starting to count said preset secondary time period (T2x) after detecting a change in the position of the pintle (20) from said position of extraction.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: said moving a drag element is started again, dragging a subsequent sheet (S) to a previous sheet (S), after counting by said computer-programmable controller element (70) a preset time period (T1x) of programmable duration previously received in said receiving, starting to count said preset time period (T1x) after said detecting a change in the position of the pintle (20); and further including maintaining one of those drag elements (11) in said delivery position during said counting by said computer-programmable controller element (70) a preset time period (T1x) of programmable duration.

9. The method according to claim 7, further including the following stages: (p) detecting said pintle (20) in said position of insertion, receiving in said computer-programmable controller element (70) an indicative signal sent by a pintle position detector device (2, 8) or reading in said computer-programmable controller element (70) said indicative signal sent by said computer-programmable controller element (70) to said rotary motor (41) at said moving said pintle (20) according to said linear sense of insertion; and (q) keeping said pintle (20) in said position of insertion by said computer-programmable controller element (70), after detecting said pintle in said position of insertion and for a pre-set auxiliary time period (T3x) of programmable duration, previously received at said receiving, starting to count said preset auxiliary time period (T3x) after said detecting said pintle (20) in said position of insertion; wherein said moving said pintle (20) according to said sense of extraction begins after counting said preset auxiliary time period (T3x) in said computer-programmable controller element (70).

10. The method according to claim 3, wherein: at said moving a drag element said rotary motor (12) moves the drag element (11), based on a programmable preset desired speed indicator (Vx), introduced by a user in the user interface (73) prior to said receiving of a plurality of nonzero selectable speeds, sending from said computer-programmable controller element (70) indicative signals to a motor speed controller (16) connected to said rotary motor (12); said continuously reading includes reading in said computer-programmable controller element (70) said indicative signals sent by said controller element (70) to the rotary motor (12) at said moving a drag element, and converting, in said computer-programmable controller element (70), the indicative signals read at reading in said controller element (70) said indicative signals in positions of a drag element (11); and additionally including setting the position of the drag element (11) to a source value (P0) after each detection, in a drag element position detector (18), of a drag element (11) at said source position.

11. The method according to claim 3, wherein: at said moving a drag element said rotary motor (12) moves the drag element (11), based on a programmable preset desired speed indicator (Vx), introduced by a user in the user interface (73) prior to said receiving of a plurality of nonzero selectable speeds, sending from said computer-programmable controller element (70) indicative signals to a motor speed controller (16) connected to said rotary motor (12) and to a rotational encoder (13); and said continuously reading includes receiving in said computer-programmable controller element (70) signals indicating the position of a drag element (11) from said rotational encoder (13).

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein said preset time period (T1x) begins to count regardless of whether the bending and subsequent bonding of said pressing, by said pintle (20) during said moving said pintle (20) is performed with the pintle (20) in said position of insertion or of extraction; and wherein such bending and bonding by pressure and gluing of each of the parts of the sheet to be formed is carried out in its entirety after placing said sheet (S) in said position of delivery of said moving a drag element and after activating the actuators (32) of said activating such actuators (32).

13. A machine for forming cardboard boxes (100) by gluing from sheets (S), comprising: a computer-programmable controller element (70); a user interface (73); a supplying actuator (61) of a supplying mechanism; a stacked sheets loader (60); a drag element (11); a rotary motor (12); a mold (30) with a plurality of forming elements (31), each activated by a respective actuator (32), arranged around a slot (33) wherein a pintle (20) is insertable, said pintle (20); a rotary motor (41) of a pintle drive (40); and glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), with the machine (100)—being configured to—execute a method for forming cardboard boxes (B) by gluing in a machine (100) from sheets (S), comprising: (a) receiving, in said computer-programmable controller element (70), operational values (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6) for a given type and measurements of a box (B) to be formed sent from a user interface (73); (b) activating a supplying actuator (61) of a supplying mechanism, by said computer-programmable controller element (70), by sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to said supplying actuator (61), to supply a sheet (S) from an initial position wherein it is supported in a stacked sheet loader (60) to a source position; (c) moving said drag element (11) to drag said sheet (S), sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to said rotary motor (12) operationally coupled to said drag element (11), along positions according to a linear drag direction (T), associated with respective sheet positions (S), from said source position to a delivery position, wherein said sheet (S) is placed between said pintle (20) and said mold (30), with a plurality of forming elements (31), each activatable by a respective actuator (32), arranged around said slot (33) wherein said pintle (20) is insertable; (d) continuously reading the position of said drag element (11) associated with the position of said sheet (S) during said moving a drag element, in said computer-programmable controller element (70); (e) activating said glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), to deposit hot-glue cords (50) parallel to each other on said sheet (S) during said moving said drag element, sending respective indicative signals from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to each of the glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), when the position of said drag element (11) read at said continuously reading coincides with one or more respective pre-established first positions included in the respective sets of pre-established activation positions (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6), of each of these glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), programmable and previously received at said receiving; (f) moving said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion, from a position of extraction, to allow the sheet (S) to be positioned in the delivery position, and to an inserted position, wherein said pintle (20) is inserted into said slot (33), sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to said rotary motor (41) of said pintle drive (40) configured to steer said pintle (20); (g) pressing, by said pintle (20) during said moving said pintle (20) according to said linear sense of insertion, a portion of said sheet (S) arranged between said slot (33) and pintle (20) in the delivery position, to the inside of the slot (33), wherein said pintle (20) and said mold (30) form the box by bending and bonding by gluing and pressuring different parts of said sheet (S) with others; and (h) moving said pintle (20), according to a sense of extraction contrary to said sense of insertion, from said position of insertion to said position of extraction, by sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to said rotary motor (41) of said pintle drive (40) configured to steer said pintle (20); wherein said moving of said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion is initiated by said computer-programmable controller element (70) when the position (P) of said drag element (11) read at said continuously reading corresponds to a second position (P2) intermediate between those source and delivery positions, with said second position (P2) being defined by a programmable operational value (P2x, T5x) previously entered by a user in said user interface (73); and wherein said activating of said supplying actuator (61) is initiated again by said computer-programmable controller element (70), in order to supply a sheet (S) subsequent to said previous sheet (S), when the position (P) of said drag element (11) read at said continuously reading corresponds to a third position (P3) intermediate between said source position and said second position (P2), with said third position (P3) being defined by an operational value (P3x, T6x) programmable previously entered by a user in said user interface (73).

14-24. (canceled)

25. The machine (100) according to claim 13, further including another drag element (11), and an auger flexible transmission element (14), with the machine (100) configured to execute the method further comprising turning in the same direction said rotary motor (12) during said moving a drag element, which is operationally coupled to an auger flexible transmission element (14) wherein said drag element (11) and another drag element (11) are mounted at mutually opposite ends, by a signal sent from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to said rotary motor (12), moving those two drag elements (11) according to opposite directions of the linear drag direction (T), alternating between the source and delivery positions, synchronizing said moving a drag element with the moving of the other drag element (11) that does not drag sheet (S) from the delivery position to the source position to drag a subsequent sheet.

26. The machine (100) according to claim 13, further including another drag element (11), an auger flexible transmission element (14), and a pintle position detector device (2, 8), with the machine (100) configured to execute: (k) detecting a change in the position of the pintle (20) from the position of extraction, receiving in said computer-programmable controller element (70) an indicative signal sent by a pintle position detector device (2, 8) or reading in said computer-programmable controller element (70) said indicative signal sent by the computer-programmable controller element (70) to said rotary motor (41) at moving said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion; and (l) activating such actuators (32) of these forming elements (31), sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to those actuators (32), after counting in said controller element (70) a preset secondary time period (T2x) of programmable duration previously received at said receiving, starting to count said preset secondary time period (T2x) after detecting a change in the position of the pintle (20) from said position of extraction.

27. A computer program comprising instructions for a box-forming machine (100) to execute a method for forming cardboard boxes (B) by gluing in said box-forming machine (100) from sheets (S), comprising: (a) receiving, in a computer-programmable controller element (70), operational values (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6) for a given type and measurements of a box (B) to be formed sent from a user interface (73); (b) activating a supplying actuator (61) of a supplying mechanism, by a computer-programmable controller element (70), by sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to said supplying actuator (61), to supply a sheet (S) from an initial position wherein it is supported in a stacked sheet loader (60) to a source position; (c) moving a drag element (11) to drag said sheet (S), sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to a rotary motor (12) operationally coupled to said drag element (11), along positions according to a linear drag direction (T), associated with respective sheet positions (S), from said source position to a delivery position, wherein said sheet (S) is placed between a pintle (20) and a mold (30), with a plurality of forming elements (31), each activatable by a respective actuator (32), arranged around a slot (33) wherein said pintle (20) is insertable; (d) continuously reading the position of said drag element (11) associated with the position of said sheet (S) during said moving a drag element, in said computer-programmable controller element (70); (e) activating glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), to deposit hot-glue cords (50) parallel to each other on said sheet (S) during said moving a drag element, sending respective indicative signals from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to each of the glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), when the position of said drag element (11) read at said continuously reading coincides with one or more respective pre-established first positions included in the respective sets of pre-established activation positions (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6), of each of these glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), programmable and previously received at said receiving; (f) moving said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion, from a position of extraction, to allow the sheet (S) to be positioned in the delivery position, and to an inserted position, wherein said pintle (20) is inserted into said slot (33), sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to a rotary motor (41) of a pintle drive (40) configured to steer said pintle (20); (g) pressing, by said pintle (20) during said moving said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion, a portion of said sheet (S) arranged between said slot (33) and pintle (20) in the delivery position, to the inside of the slot (33), wherein said pintle (20) and said mold (30) form the box by bending and bonding by gluing and pressuring different parts of said sheet (S) with others; and (h) moving said pintle (20), according to a sense of extraction contrary to said linear sense of insertion, from said position of insertion to said position of extraction, by sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to a rotary motor (41) of a pintle drive (40) configured to steer said pintle (20); wherein said moving of said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion is initiated by said computer-programmable controller element (70) when the position (P) of said drag element (11) read at said continuously reading corresponds to a second position (P2) intermediate between those source and delivery positions, with said second position (P2) being defined by a programmable operational value (P2x, T5x) previously entered by a user in said user interface (73); and wherein said activating of said supplying actuator (61) is initiated again by said computer-programmable controller element (70), in order to supply a sheet (S) subsequent to said previous sheet (S), when the position (P) of said drag element (11) read at said continuously reading corresponds to a third position (P3) intermediate between said source position and said second position (P2), with said third position (P3) being defined by an operational value (P3x, T6x) programmable previously entered by a user in said user interface (73).

28. The computer program according to claim 27, further including instructions for the box-forming machine (100) to execute the method, further comprising turning in the same direction said rotary motor (12) during said moving a drag element, which is operationally coupled to an auger flexible transmission element (14) wherein said drag element (11) and another drag element (11) are mounted at mutually opposite ends, by a signal sent from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to said rotary motor (12), moving those two drag elements (11) according to opposite directions of the linear drag direction (T), alternating between the source and delivery positions, synchronizing the moving of the drag element with movement of the other drag element (11) that does not drag sheet (S) from the delivery position to the source position to drag a subsequent sheet.

29. The computer program according to claim 27, further including instructions for the box-forming machine (100) to execute the method, further comprising: (k) detecting a change in the position of the pintle (20) from the position of extraction, receiving in said computer-programmable controller element (70) an indicative signal sent by a pintle position detector device (2, 8) or reading in said computer-programmable controller element (70) said indicative signal sent by the computer-programmable controller element (70) to said rotary motor (41) at said moving said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion; and (l) activating such actuators (32) of these forming elements (31), sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to those actuators (32), after counting in said controller element (70) a preset secondary time period (T2x) of programmable duration previously received at said receiving, starting to count said preset secondary time period (T2x) after said detecting a change in the position of the pintle (20) from said position of extraction.

30. The computer program according to claim 27, further including instructions for the machine (100), further including another drag element (11), and an auger flexible transmission element (14), to execute the method further comprising turning in the same direction said rotary motor (12) during said moving a drag element, which is operationally coupled to an auger flexible transmission element (14) wherein said drag element (11) and another drag element (11) are mounted at mutually opposite ends, by a signal sent from a computer-programmable controller element (70) to said rotary motor (12), moving those two drag elements (11) according to opposite directions of the linear drag direction (T), alternating between the source and delivery positions, synchronizing said moving a drag element with movement of the other drag element (11) that does not drag sheet (S) from the delivery position to the source position to drag a subsequent sheet; and wherein, additionally, said second position (P2) is defined by an operational value corresponding with a second programmable preset position (P2x) of the drag element (11), previously received at said receiving.

31. The computer program according to claim 27, further including instructions for the machine (100), further including another drag element (11), and an auger flexible transmission element (14), to execute the method further comprising turning in the same direction said rotary motor (12) during said moving a drag element, which is operationally coupled to an auger flexible transmission element (14) wherein said drag element (11) and another drag element (11) are mounted at mutually opposite ends, by a signal sent from a computer-programmable controller element (70) to said rotary motor (12), moving those two drag elements (11) according to opposite directions of the linear drag direction (T), alternating between the source and delivery positions, synchronizing said moving a drag element with movement of the other drag element (11) that does not drag sheet (S) from the delivery position to the source position to drag a subsequent sheet; wherein, additionally, said second position (P2) is defined by an operational value corresponding with a second programmable preset position (P2x) of the drag element (11); and wherein additionally said third position (P3) is defined by an operational value corresponding with a third preset position (P3x) programmable of the drag element (11), previously received at said receiving.

32. The machine (100) according to claim 13, further including another drag element (11), and an auger flexible transmission element (14), with the machine (100) configured to execute the method wherein, additionally, said second position (P2) is defined by an operational value corresponding with a second programmable preset position (P2x) of the drag element (11), previously received at said receiving; and wherein additionally said third position (P3) is defined by an operational value corresponding with a third preset position (P3x) programmable of the drag element (11), previously received at said receiving.

33. The machine (100) according to claim 13, further including another drag element (11), and an auger flexible transmission element (14), with the machine (100) configured to execute the method wherein, additionally, said second position (P2) is defined by an operational value corresponding with a second programmable preset position (P2x) of the drag element (11), previously received at said receiving.

34. Computer-readable device that has stored a computer program comprising instructions for a box-forming machine (100) to execute a method for forming cardboard boxes (B) by gluing in a box-forming machine (100) from sheets (S), comprising: (a) receiving, in a computer-programmable controller element (70), operational values (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6) for a given type and measurements of a box (B) to be formed sent from a user interface (73); (b) activating a supplying actuator (61) of a supplying mechanism, by said computer-programmable controller element (70), by sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to said supplying actuator (61), to supply a sheet (S) from an initial position wherein it is supported in a stacked sheet loader (60) to a source position; (c) moving a drag element (11) to drag said sheet (S), sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to a rotary motor (12) operationally coupled to said drag element (11), along positions according to a linear drag direction (T), associated with respective sheet positions (S), from said source position to a delivery position, wherein said sheet (S) is placed between a pintle (20) and a mold (30), with a plurality of forming elements (31), each activatable by a respective actuator (32), arranged around a slot (33) wherein said pintle (20) is insertable; (d) continuously reading the position of said drag element (11) associated with the position of said sheet (S) during said moving a drag element, in said computer-programmable controller element (70); (e) activating glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), to deposit hot-glue cords (50) parallel to each other on said sheet (S) during said moving a drag element, sending respective indicative signals from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to each of the glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), when the position of said drag element (11) read at said continuously reading coincides with one or more respective pre-established first positions included in the respective sets of pre-established activation positions (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6), of each of these glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), programmable and previously received at said receiving; (f) moving said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion, from a position of extraction, to allow the sheet (S) to be positioned in the delivery position, and to an inserted position, wherein said pintle (20) is inserted into said slot (33), sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to a rotary motor (41) of a pintle drive (40) configured to steer said pintle (20); (g) pressing, by said pintle (20) during said moving said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion, a portion of said sheet (S) arranged between said slot (33) and pintle (20) in the delivery position, to the inside of the slot (33), wherein said pintle (20) and said mold (30) form the box by bending and bonding by gluing and pressuring different parts of said sheet (S) with others; and (h) moving said pintle (20), according to a sense of extraction contrary to said linear sense of insertion, from said position of insertion to said position of extraction, by sending an indicative signal from said computer-programmable controller element (70) to a rotary motor (41) of a pintle drive (40) configured to steer said pintle (20); wherein said moving of said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion is initiated by said computer-programmable controller element (70) when the position (P) of said drag element (11) read at said continuously reading corresponds to a second position (P2) intermediate between those source and delivery positions, with said second position (P2) being defined by a programmable operational value (P2x, T5x) previously entered by a user in said user interface (73); and wherein said activating of said supplying actuator (61) is initiated again by said computer-programmable controller element (70), in order to supply a sheet (S) subsequent to said previous sheet (S), when the position (P) of said drag element (11) read at said continuously reading corresponds to a third position (P3) intermediate between said source position and said second position (P2), with said third position (P3) being defined by an operational value (P3x, T6x) programmable previously entered by a user in said user interface (73).

35. The computer-readable device according to claim 34, wherein said computer-readable device is a programmable logic controller, corresponding with said computer-programmable controller element (70).

Description

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0093] To complement the description that is being made of the object of the present invention and to help for a better understanding of the characteristics that distinguish it, it is accompanied in the present descriptive memory, as an integral part of it, a set of plans, in which, for illustrative and not limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0094] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of the stages of the method for the formation of boxes by gluing of the first aspect of the present invention, according to a first realization:

[0095] FIG. 2 shows a part of the flowchart in FIG. 1, corresponding to Labels 90 and 91 of FIG. 1;

[0096] FIG. 3 shows a part of the flowchart in FIG. 1, corresponding to label 92 of FIGS. 1 and 4;

[0097] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the stages of the method for the formation of boxes by gluing of the present invention, according to a second realization, where labels 90, 91, and 92 indicate that FIGS. 2 and 3 are also an integral part of this second realization;

[0098] FIGS. 5 through 9 show a schematic sequence of operation of the box-forming machine of the second aspect of the invention according to a first realization, and in which are executable either of the two methods of FIGS. 1 through 5;

[0099] FIGS. 10, and 11 show respective connection schemes of different elements of the machine to the computer-programmable controller element of the box-forming machine of the second aspect of the invention, according to a first and second realizations, respectively, where only two of the six glue injectors are shown;

[0100] FIGS. 12 and 13 show respective connection schemes trimmed from different elements of the machine to the computer-programmable controller element of the box-forming machine of the second aspect of the invention, according to respective third and fourth realizations, respectively, and where the other trimmed elements are identical to the elements of FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0101] FIG. 14 is a side view a machine forming cardboard boxes by gluing from sheets representative of any realization of the box-forming machine of the second aspect of the invention;

[0102] FIG. 15 is a view in the representative floor of any of the first, second, and third realizations of said machine of the present invention, and indicating an IV-IV cut;

[0103] FIG. 16 is the section view of the IV-IV cut of FIG. 15:

[0104] FIG. 17 shows glue cords applied to a sheet by the respective activations and deactivations of each glue injector, while the sheet is dragged by the drag element;

[0105] FIG. 18 represents a rear top perspective view of the machine of the second aspect of the present invention according to any of the first, second, and third realizations, and indicating a detail V:

[0106] FIG. 19 is the detail view V of FIG. 18; and

[0107] FIG. 20 is the rear top-looking view of said machine of the second aspect of the present invention, according to a fourth realization.

DETAILED EXPOSURE OF MODES OF REALIZATION/EXAMPLES

[0108] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first realization of a corresponding flowchart with the stages of a method for forming cardboard boxes (B) by gluing into a box-forming machine (100) from sheets (S).

[0109] In FIG. 1, this method begins with stage (a) of receiving, in a computer-programmable controller element (70), for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC), operational values (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6, P2, P3, T1x, T2x, T3x, Vx) for a certain type and measurements of a box (B) to form, sent from a user interface (73) such as that shown in FIGS. 10 and 14, materialized in pushbuttons and a touch screen.

[0110] The user then interacts with said user interface (73) so that the PLC (70) receives from it an indicative signal for the start of the automatic formation cycle.

[0111] Then, in FIG. 1, the method continues with stage (b) of activating a supplying actuator (61) of a supplying mechanism with a plurality of succionators (62), using a controller element (70), sending an indicative signal from said controller element (70) to said supplying actuator (61), to supply a sheet (S) from an initial position where it is supported in a stacked sheet loader (60) to a source position.

[0112] In FIG. 1, after the sheet (S) is supplied to said source position, the method continues with stage (c) of moving a drag element (11) to drag said sheet (S). To do this, an indicative signal is sent from said controller element (70) to said rotary motor (12) operationally coupled to said drag element (11).

[0113] Said movement of the drag element (11) is along positions according to a linear drag direction (T), associated with respective sheet positions (S), from said source position to a delivery position, where the sheet (S) is located between a pintle (20) and a mold (30), with a plurality of forming elements (31), activated by respective actuators (32), arranged around a slot (33) where said pintle (20) is insertable, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 9.

[0114] Looking at FIGS. 1 and 10, at said stage (c) said rotary motor (12) moves the drag element (11), based on a programmable preset desired speed indicator (Vx), introduced by a user in the user interface (73) prior to stage (a) of a plurality of nonzero selectable speeds, sending from said controller element (70) indicative of the type of pulse train signals to a motor speed controller (16) connected to said rotary motor (12). In an option of said FIG. 10, the motor speed controller (16) is a servo motor controller and said rotary motor (12) is a servo motor. Alternatively, the motor speed controller (16) is a frequency inverter, and the rotary motor is a conventional electric rotary motor.

[0115] FIGS. 1 and 5 to 9 show that the method involves the stage of rotating in the same direction said rotary motor (12) during stage (c), which is operationally coupled to an auger flexible transmission element (14) where two drag elements (11) are mounted, said drag element (11) and another drag element (11), at mutually opposite ends, by means of a signal sent from a computer-programmable controller element (70) to said rotary motor (12), moving those two drag elements (11) in opposite directions of the linear drag direction (T), alternating between the source and delivery positions, synchronizing the movement of the drag element of said stage (c) with the movement of the other drag element (11) that does not drag a sheet (S) from the delivery position to the source position to drag a subsequent sheet.

[0116] This method in FIG. 1 also includes stage (d) continuously reading the position (P) of said drag element (11) associated with the position of said sheet (S) during stage (c), in a computer-programmable controller element (70).

[0117] Said stage (d) includes the stage(s) of reading in said controller element (70) such indicative signals sent by said controller element (70) to the rotary motor (12) at said stage (c), and stage (t) to convert, in said controller element (70), the indicative signals read at said stage (s) into positions of a drag element (11). That is, the controller element reads the signal sent by itself based on the programmable preset desired speed indicator (Vx).

[0118] FIG. 1 compares in said controller element (70), the position (P) of the drag element (11) read in stage (d) with a third position (P3) intermediate between said source position and said second position (P2). In FIG. 1 said third position (P3) is defined by a corresponding operational value with a third programmable preset position (P3x) of the drag element (11), previously received at stage (a). If these positions do not match, it will continue to be read in stage (d). If these positions coincide, stage (b) is started again, activating said supplying actuator (61) using said controller element (70), to supply a subsequent sheet (S) to be formed from said starting position to said source position.

[0119] Following in FIG. 2, corresponding to labels 90 and 91 of FIG. 1, said controlling element (70) compares whether or not the position (P) read of the drag element (11) coincides with one or more of the respective preset positions within the respective sets of pre-established activation positions (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6), of each of those glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), programmable and previously received in stage (a).

[0120] An example of these first preset positions received by the controller from the user interface (73) is: 2460, 2580, 3205, and 3270 for the four glue injectors (51, 52, 55 and 56); and 1950, 2230, 3350, 3670 for the two glue injectors (53, 54).

[0121] Said PLC (70) defines respective sets of preset activation positions (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6), of each of these glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), which in this example are: CP1=CP2=CP5=CP6=[2460, 2580] U [3205, 3270]; CP3=CP4=[1950, 2230] U [3205, 3270].

[0122] FIGS. 2 and 17 show that where the position (P) of said drag element (11) read at stage (d) belongs to one of the respective preset positions within the respective sets of pre-set activation positions (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6), said controller element (70) executes stage (e) of activating the glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), to deposit hot-glue cords (50) parallel to each other on said sheet (S) during stage (c). If it does not belong to the set of preset positions, it will continue to be read at stage (d). Following this example, in position P=2000, the glue injectors (53, 54) are activated and the remaining glue injectors (51, 52, 55, 56) are disabled.

[0123] In FIG. 2, once a particular glue injector has been activated, it remains activated if said position (P) belongs to the set of preset positions of said glue injector. This particular glue injector is then deactivated when said position (P) does not belong to its set of preset positions. In this example, FIG. 17 can represent the glue injector (51) that is activated between position 2460, is kept activated through position 2580 where it is deactivated, it is re-activated at position 3205 through position 3270, where it is deactivated again, depositing two pairs of glue cords (50) mutually parallel on the sheet (S).

[0124] FIG. 10 shows that the activation and deactivation of said glue injectors is performed by sending respective indicative signals from said controller element (70) to each of the glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), more specifically, to their respective solenoid valves (Y51, Y52) that open or close the glue passage in each glue injector (51, 52).

[0125] Returning to FIG. 1, the method comprises stage (f) moving said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion, from a position of extraction, to allow the sheet (S) to be positioned in the delivery position, and to an insertion position, where said pintle (20) is inserted into said slot (33), sending an indicative signal from a computer-programmable controller element (70) to a rotary motor (41) of a pintle drive (40) configured to steer said pintle (20).

[0126] FIGS. 1 and 8 show that stage (f) of moving said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion, it is initiated by said controller element (70) when the position (P) of said drag element (11) read at stage (d) corresponds to a second position (P2) intermediate between said source and delivery positions, with said second position (P2) being defined by a corresponding operational value with a second preset position (P2x) of the drag element (11) programmable, previously entered by a user in a user interface (73) and received at stage (a). In this example, until said position (P) is not equal to said second position (P2), it is still read in stage (d).

[0127] FIGS. 1, 8, and 9 show said stage (f) of moving said pintle (20) according to a linear sense of insertion, from a position of extraction, to allow the sheet (S) to be positioned in the delivery position, and to an inserted position, where said pintle (20) is inserted into said slot (33), sending an indicative signal from a computer-programmable controller element (70) to a rotary motor (41) of a pintle drive (40) configured to steer said pintle (20).

[0128] When initiating said stage (f) of FIGS. 1 and 8, stage (k) is produced of detecting a change in the position of the pintle (20) from a position of extraction, receiving in said PLC (70) an indicative signal sent by a pintle position detector device (2) materialized in an inductive detector (3) shown in detail in FIG. 20. Alternatively, this signal is sent from a pintle detector device (8) it is materialized in a pintle rotational encoder (7) shown in FIGS. 14 and 21, and which also includes said inductive detector (3).

[0129] Alternatively to this first method of realization, said stage (k) is executed by sending from said PLC (70) its own signal generated in said PLC (70) and subsequently sent by said PLC (70) to said rotary motor (41) moving the pintle (20) according to said direction of insertion of said stage (f).

[0130] FIG. 1 shows that with the detection of said stage (k), the computer-programmable controller element (70) initiates two stages simultaneously, stage (n) of counting a time period (T1), and stage (m) of counting a secondary time period (T2).

[0131] Following in FIG. 1, where the secondary time period (T2) is equal to or greater than the preset secondary time period (T2x) of programmable duration previously received at stage (a), the PLC (70) performs stage (1) of activating said actuators (32) of said forming elements (31), sending an indicative signal from said PLC (70) to said actuators (32), materialized in pneumatic cylinders shown in FIG. 10. If said secondary time period (T2) is not equal to or greater than said preset secondary time period (T2x), the secondary time period (T2) is still in stage (m).

[0132] Once said actuators (32) have been activated, said PLC (70) starts the stage of having an additional time period (T20) and keeps the actuators (32) active for an additional preset time period (T20x) of programmable duration previously received at said stage (a). When the supplemental time period (T20) is equal to or greater than said supplemental preset time period (T20x), the actuators are disabled.

[0133] In FIG. 1, parallel with stages (n) and (m) of counting said time period and secondary time period (T1, T2), said stage (f) of movement of the pintle according to the sense of continuous insertion continues, and stage (g) is produced by pressing of said pintle (20) a part of said sheet (S) arranged between said slot (33) and pintle (20) in the position of delivery to the interior of the slot (33). FIG. 10 represents said stage (g).

[0134] FIGS. 1, 3, 5 to 10, and 14 to 19 show that in the method of this first realization, said preset time period (T1x) begins to count regardless of whether the bending and bonding after said stage (g) is performed with the pintle (20) in a position of insertion or extraction; and where such formation by bending and bonding by pressure and gluing of each of the parts of the sheet to be formed is carried out in its entirety after placing said sheet (S) in said position of delivery of said stage (c) and after activating the actuators (32) of said stage (1).

[0135] FIGS. 1 and 5 show that in the interior of said slot (33), each of the two actuators (32) moves a respective forming element (31) of the mold (30), in cooperation with other parts of the mold (30) and the pintle (20), pressing some parts of said sheet against others to form the box, by bending and bonding by gluing and pressure.

[0136] After said stage (g), and with the pintle (20) moving in the direction of insertion, in label 92 of FIGS. 1 and 3 shows that the method continues with stage (p) of detecting said pintle (20) in said position of insertion when receiving in said PLC (70) an indicative signal sent by said pintle position detector device (2), materialized in another inductive detector (5) shown in FIGS. 10 and 20. Alternatively to this first realization, this indicative signal is sent by a pintle detector device (8) materialized in a second rotational pintle encoder (7) shown in FIGS. 13 and 20.

[0137] In another alternative to this first method of realization, said stage (p) is executed by receiving/reading in said PLC (70) the indicative signal previously generated in said PLC (70) sent by said PLC (70) to said rotary motor (41) to move the pintle (20) according to said direction of insertion of said stage (f).

[0138] When the value of the preset auxiliary time period (T3x) is greater than zero, said PLC (70) continues with stage (r) of having a third time period (T3), which is compared to a preset auxiliary time period (T3x) of programmable duration, previously received at said stage (a), starting to count said preset auxiliary time period (T3x) after said stage (p).

[0139] Until said auxiliary time period (T3) does not equal or exceed said preset auxiliary time period (T3x), said PLC (70) continues to count said auxiliary time period (T3) and keeps said pintle (20) in said position of insertion, depending on stage (q) of FIG. 3.

[0140] When the auxiliary time period (T3) is equal to or greater than said third preset time period (T3x), the PLC (70) initiates stage (h) of moving said pintle (20) according to the direction of extraction.

[0141] FIGS. 1, 6, and 7 show that said PLC (70) moves said pintle (20), according to a direction of extraction opposite said direction of insertion, from said position of insertion to said position of extraction, sending an indicative signal from a computer-programmable controller element (70) to a rotary motor (41) of a pintle drive (40) configured to steer said pintle (20).

[0142] At this point, at a stage not shown to give clarity of the diagrams, the pintle is detected in a position of extraction similarly to any of the possibilities described for stage (k). A specific example of detection is performed by a detector (5) that reads the position of the cam (5) in FIG. 19 and sends a signal to the PLC (70). With the pintle (20) in a position of extraction, it is ready for a subsequent formation cycle.

[0143] Following FIG. 1, where the first time period (T1) counted on said PLC (70) is less than said preset time period (T1x) of programmable duration previously received in stage (a), said PLC (70) holds one of those drag elements (11) standing in said delivery position according to stage (o).

[0144] When the first time period (T1) counted on said PLC (70) is greater than or equal to said preset time period (T1x), said stage (c) starts again, to drag a subsequent sheet (S) to said previous sheet (S), after stage (u) of setting the position of the drag element (11) to a source value (P0) after each detection, in a drag element position detector (18), of a drag element (11) at said source position.

[0145] Also, before re-starting stage (c) to drag a subsequent sheet (S), said PLC (70) sets the time period (T1), the secondary time period (T2), the auxiliary time period (T3), and the additional time period (P20) to respective initial values for the subsequent automatic forming cycle of boxes per gluing.

[0146] According to a second realization of this method, shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, it comprises all the stages described for the first realization except for the variations described below.

[0147] FIGS. 2 to 4 show a first difference in said method, according to which said second position (P2) is defined by a corresponding operational value with a preset complementary time period (T5x).

[0148] Said stage (f) starts when the position of the drag element (11) corresponds to said second position (P2), after stage (i) of having in a computer-programmable controller element (70) said preset complementary time period (T5x) of programmable duration, starting to count said preset complementary time period (T5x) after detecting, in a computer-programmable controller element (70), a position of the drag element (11) dragging the sheet (S) or a position at the front or rear of said sheet in a second previous position (P20), intermediate between said source position and said second position (P2).

[0149] In FIG. 4, such detection of the positioning of the drag element (01) prior to the start of stage (i) of counting the complementary time period (T5) is performed by reading in the PLC (70) the type of pulse train signal sent by the PLC itself (70) to the rotary motor (12) to move the drag element of stage (c). If said signal is not equal to said second previous position (P20), intermediate between said source position and said second position (P2), it continues to be read.

[0150] If said signal does not match said second previous position (P20), intermediate between said source position and said second position (P2), the controller element (70) begins to count a complementary time (T5). When such complementary time (T5) equals to or exceeds said preset complementary time (T5x) of programmable duration previously received at stage (a), the PLC (70) initiates said stage (f). At this point the position of the drag element (11) corresponds to said second position (P2).

[0151] Alternatively to the method in FIG. 4, such detection of a position at the front or rear of the sheet in a second previous position (P20), intermediate between said source position and said second position (P2) can be performed by a photocell (not shown) located in said second previous position (P20). This PLC (70) receives the signal from said photocell continuously during stage (c). When this photocell detects any of these parts of the sheet (S), it sends a signal to the PLC (70) that begins to count a complementary time (T5). When such complementary time (T5) equals to or exceeds the preset complementary time (T5x) of programmable duration previously received at stage (a), said PLC (70) initiates said stage (f). At this point the position of the drag element corresponds to said second position (P2).

[0152] Following in the second realization of this method, FIGS. 2 to 4 shows a second difference from said method, according to which said third position (P3) is defined by a corresponding operational value with a preset auxiliary time period (T6x). In FIGS. 2 to 4, said stage (b) starts again when the position of the drag element (11) corresponds to said third position (P3), after stage (j) of having in a computer-programmable controller element (70) said preset auxiliary complementary time period (T6x) of programmable duration previously received at stage (a), starting to count said preset auxiliary complementary time period (T6x) after detecting, in a computer-programmable controller element (70), a position of the drag element (11) dragging the sheet (S) or a position at the front or rear of said sheet in a third previous position (P30), intermediate between said source position and said third position (P3).

[0153] In FIG. 4, such detection of the positioning of the drag element (11) prior to the start of stage (j) of counting the auxiliary complementary time period (T6) is performed by reading on said PLC (70) the type of pulse train signal sent by the PLC itself (70) to the rotary motor (12) to move the drag element of stage (c). If said signal is not equal to said third previous position (P30), intermediate between said source position and said third position (P3), it continues to be read. If said signal equals said third previous position (P30), intermediate between said source position and said third position (P3), said PLC (70) begins to count an auxiliary complementary time (T6). When such auxiliary complementary time (T6) equals to or exceeds the preset auxiliary complementary time (T6x) of programmable duration previously received at stage (a), said PLC (70) starts said stage (b) again. At this point the position of the drag element (11) read at stage (d) corresponds to said third position (P3).

[0154] Alternatively to the method in FIG. 4, said detection of a position at the front or rear of the sheet in a third previous position (P30), intermediate between said source position and said third position (P3), can be carried out by auxiliary photocell (not shown) located in said third previous position (P30). Said PLC (70) continuously receives the signal of the photocells during stage (c). When such an auxiliary photocell detects any of these parts of the sheet (S), it sends a signal to said PLC (70) which begins to count an auxiliary complementary time (T6). When such auxiliary complementary time (T6) equals to or exceeds the preset auxiliary complementary time (T6x) of programmable duration previously received at stage (a), said PLC (70) starts said stage (b) again. At this point the position of the drag element (11) read at stage (d) corresponds to said third position (P3).

[0155] Continuing in the second realization of this method, FIGS. 2 to 4 show a third difference from said method, according to which in said stage (c) both drag elements (11) are moved according to a fixed nominal velocity, sending a binary signal from the controller element (11) to said rotary motor (12) materialized in a conventional electric rotary motor, coupled to a rotational encoder (13) on its output axis to read the angle rotated by it. In addition, said stage (d) comprises the stage of receiving in said PLC (70) signals indicating the position of a drag element (11) sent by said rotational encoder (13) which reads the angle rotated by the rotating motor (12).

[0156] It is noted that the method in FIG. 4 continues on labels 92 and 93, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, similar to the first realization of the method.

[0157] According to a second aspect of the present invention, FIGS. 5 to 10, 14 to 19 show a first realization of a box-forming machine (100) of cardboard by gluing from sheets (S), comprising a series of elements supported in a chassis (101). Said elements are: a controller element (70) computer-programmable materialized in a PLC coupled to a user interface (73) comprising a touch screen and a series of pushbuttons and drive organs distributed in different positions of said machine, a supplying actuator (61) of a supplying mechanism with a plurality of suctions (62), a loader (60) of stacked sheets, a drag element (11), drag element position detector (18), a rotary motor (12) materialized in a servo motor, an encoder (13) connected to said servo motor (12), a mold (30) with a plurality of forming elements (31), each activatable by means of a repetitive actuator (32), arranged around a slot (33) where a pintle (20) is insertable, said pintle (20), a rotary motor (41) of a pintle drive (40), glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) powered by a glue equipment (95) equipped with a glue drive pump, and the box-forming machine (100) is configured to execute the method of the first realization of the first aspect of the invention.

[0158] In FIG. 10, said PLC (70) is equipped with inputs (71) where two inductive detectors (3, 5) are connected that detect the pintle (20) in a position of extraction and insertion, respectively, as well as said drag element position detector (18). A touch screen (73) is also connected to a PLC input interface (70).

[0159] In FIG. 19 is shown that said chassis (101) is supported a pintle position detector device (2) that integrates such inductive detectors (3, 5), each coupled to respective cams (4, 6) coaxially coupled to the rotary shaft (48) of a reducer (47), operationally coupled in turn to the rotary motor (41) of the pintle drive (40), to detect the pintle (20) in a position of insertion and extraction.

[0160] In FIG. 19, said pintle drive (40) also comprises a crank (42) attached jointly to said rotary shaft (48), and a crank (43) articulated at its proximal end to said crank (42) and articulated at its distal end to an arm (46). Said arm (46) is guided vertically by two vertical guides (45) supported in said chassis (101) and each attached to a pair of conjugated guides (44) jointly attached with said arm (46). At one end of said arm (46) is supported said pintle (20).

[0161] FIG. 10 shows said PLC (70) equipped with outputs (72) where are connected some relays (K51, K52) that open and close each of them a respective contact that energizes a respective coil of a respective solenoid valve (Y51, Y52) that allows or prevents the injection of glue into the glue injectors (51, 52).

[0162] FIG. 10 shows said PLC (70) equipped with other outputs (72) where are connected other relays (K61, K32) that open and close each of them a respective contact that energizes a respective coil of a respective solenoid valve (Y61, Y32) that allows or prevents air from passing on one side or the other of the plunger of some respective pneumatic cylinders, corresponding to the supplying actuator (61) and the actuators (32) of the forming elements (31).

[0163] FIG. 10 shows said PLC (70) equipped with another output (72) where another optional relay (K41) is connected, and this relay is connected to a contactor (K041) that opens or closes its contacts to supply power to the rotary motor (41) of the pintle drive.

[0164] FIG. 10 shows said PLC (70) equipped with another output (72) where another optional relay (K12) is connected, and this relay is connected to a contactor (K012) that opens or closes its contacts to supply power to the servo motor controller (16), which is connected to the rotary motor (12) materialized in a servo motor connected to a rotary encoder (13). In FIG. 12 another output is connected to the servo motor controller (16) to send the pulse train signal.

[0165] Returning to FIGS. 5 to 9, said box-forming machine (100) also comprises another drag element (11), an auger flexible transmission element (14). Said auger flexible transmission element (14) is a chain of links and is mounted on two pulleys (15), with the servo motor attached to a reducer (not shown) and the reducer attached to one of those pulleys (15).

[0166] FIGS. 11 and 14 show a second realization of the box-forming machine (100), where all the elements are identical to the first realization except that: [0167] the rotary motor (12) that moves the drag elements (11) is a conventional electric rotary motor, connected to a contactor (K041) that opens or closes its contacts depending on the opening or closing of the contacts of a relay (K041) connected to an output (72) of the PLC (70); and [0168] in the PLC inputs are connected the rotary encoder (13) and coupled to the rotary motor (12), and such inductives (3, 5) of the pintle position detector device (2).

[0169] FIGS. 12 and 14 show a third realization of the box-forming machine (100), where all the elements are identical to the first realization except that: [0170] the rotational encoder (13) is connected to an input (71) of the PLC (70); and [0171] the PLC (70) corrects the positions of the drag elements (11) by comparing the signal sent to the servo motor controller (16) with the signal received from said rotational encoder (13) connected to an input (71) of the PLC (70).

[0172] FIGS. 13, 14, and 20 show a fourth realization of the box-forming machine (100), where all the elements are identical to the first realization except that: [0173] the pintle position detector device is a pintle rotational encoder (7) connected to the PLC inputs (70), and optionally also comprises said inductive detector (3); [0174] the servo motor controller (16) is connected to a PLC input interface (70), for example, with an ethernet cable, so said signals are sent and received between the two elements; and [0175] the rotational encoder (13) is connected to said servo motor controller (16) by a cable to send signals indicating the position of those drag elements (11), and to correct the position of those drag elements (11).

[0176] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a first realization of the computer program comprises instructions for said forming machine described in the first realization of the second aspect of the invention to execute the stages of the method described in the first realization of the first aspect of the invention, said stages being illustrated by FIGS. 1 to 3, showing a flowchart of said computer program.

[0177] According to a second realization of the computer program, said computer program comprises instructions for the second realization of said forming machine of the second aspect of the invention to execute the stages of the method described in the second realization of the first aspect of the invention, said stages being illustrated by FIGS. 2 to 4, which shows a flowchart of said computer program.

[0178] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the present invention provides a computer-readable device said has stored a computer program of the third aspect of the invention.

[0179] According to the first implementation of said fourth aspect, said computer-readable device is said PLC. That is, the PLC (70) shown in FIGS. 10 and 14 has stored a computer program that, when executed on the machine of the first realization of the second aspect of the invention, executes the stages of the first realization of the method shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0180] According to a second realization of this fourth aspect, said computer-readable device is a portable device such as a USB, a CD ROM, or similar, which has stored a computer program that, when executed on the machine of FIGS. 5 to 10 and 14 of the first realization of the second aspect of the invention, executes the stages of the first realization of the shown method in FIGS. 1 to 3.