FORMER

Abstract

A forming machine for erecting a packaging article, the machine comprising a female cavity and a plunger which moves up and down in a generally vertical cycle and which can push a packaging article down into the cavity when moving down, in which the plunger is driven to move up and is not driven to move down.

Claims

1. A forming machine for erecting a packaging article, the machine comprising a female cavity and a plunger which moves up and down in a generally vertical cycle and which can push a packaging article down into the cavity when moving down, in which the plunger is driven to move up and is not driven to move down.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which the plunger is pushed up.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which the plunger is allowed to drop down under its own weight.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising a cam.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4, in which the cam is an eccentric cam.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 4, in which the cam is non-circular.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 6, in which the cam is generally oval, ovoid, elliptical or ellipsoidal.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 4, comprising a cam shaft.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 8, in which the cam shaft is balanced.

10. A machine as claimed in claim 4, in which a cam follower is provided on or by the cam.

11. A machine as claimed in claim 10, in which the cam follower is or carries an arm which in turn controls/carries the plunger.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which the plunger is not directly connected to a mechanical drive.

13. A machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plunger arm which pivots up and down.

14. A machine as claimed in any claim 13, in which if the plunger arm does not reach bottom dead centre the machine stops downwards motion of the plunger.

15. A machine as claimed in claim 14, in which a sensor stops the motion to clear cartons or objects, stopping the down motion of the plunger.

16. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which a plunger or plunger arm rolls on top of a cam profile.

17. A machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a hopper.

18. A machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an inbound conveyor.

19. A machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an outbound conveyor.

20. A method of erecting a packaging article comprising: providing a female cavity and a plunger which moves up and down in a generally vertical cycle; pushing a packaging article down into the female cavity by moving the plunger down; driving the plunger up; and allowing the plunger to drop down.

Description

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention are shown, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic drawing of a packaging machine formed according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIGS. 2A to 2S illustrate the vertical cycle/plunge process of the machine of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates a packaging machine formed according to a further embodiment. The plunger is shown in an uppermost position;

[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates a carton is moved over the cavity and beneath the plunger and the plunger is allowed to drop;

[0037] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the plunger continues to drop and pushes the carton into a female cavity beneath;

[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates the erected carton drops out and onto a conveyor; and

[0039] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the cam and cam drive shaft.

[0040] The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0041] Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

[0042] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0043] In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

[0044] FIG. 1schematic drawing of a packaging machine formed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIGS. 2A to 2S show the vertical cycle/plunge process of the machine of FIG. 1.

[0046] Shown in the drawings is an eccentric cam 10 and a cam follower 20 (a pivot arm) which controls a plunger 30.

[0047] The plunger is pushed up and allowed to drop down. The key is that, due to the profile of the cam, the carton plunger is not driven in the down direction when forming the carton. As a result the machine is generally safe and cannot seriously jam or cause injury.

[0048] In this embodiment when the plunger arm doesn't reach the bottom dead centre a sensor stops the motion to clear cartons or objects, stopping the down motion of the plunger.

[0049] FIG. 3a packaging machine formed according to a further embodiment. The plunger is shown in an uppermost position.

[0050] FIG. 4a carton is moved over the cavity and beneath the plunger and the plunger is allowed to drop.

[0051] FIGS. 5/6the plunger continues to drop and pushes the carton into a female cavity beneath.

[0052] The carton is erected and the plunger moves back up to the position shown in FIG. 3, being pushed up by a cam action.

[0053] FIG. 7the erected carton drops out and onto a conveyor.

[0054] FIG. 8/9the cam and cam drive shaft.

[0055] Some embodiments include a carton hopper from the bottom of which cartons are taken and laid flat and then conveyed along to sit above the female cavity before the plunger moves down and into the cavity.

[0056] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.