BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a Bliss style container having structural columns formed by a container forming machine having a mandrel configured according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the smart mandrel configured according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the smart mandrel of FIG. 2 shown with a side blank in position against the female profile;
FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the smart mandrel of FIG. 3 shown with the male profile mechanism in position against the side blank to form the structural columns;
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the smart mandrel of FIG. 4 shown with the male profile mechanism retracted from the side blank after forming the structural column;
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the smart mandrel of FIG. 2 shown attached to the primary compression mechanism;
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the smart mandrel and primary compression mechanism of FIG. 5 shown with a side blank and body blank in their respective container forming positions; and
FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the smart mandrel and primary compression mechanism of FIG. 6 shown with the male profile mechanism in position against the side blank to form the structural columns.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed figures and drawings are merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment, which represents one of several different ways of configuring the present invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses are illustrated, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein.
A smart mandrel that is manufactured out of the components and configured pursuant to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally as 10 in FIGS. 2 through 8. A Bliss style container 12, shown in FIG. 1, is of the type that can be formed by the mandrel 10 in conjunction with the primary compression mechanism 14, shown in FIGS. 6 through 8, of a suitably configured box forming machine. The Bliss style container 12 is formed from a body blank 16, which forms the ends and bottom of container 12, that is securely joined with a pair of side blanks 18. As familiar to those skilled in the art, during the forming process the container 12 is provided with corners 20 and laps 22 that are attached with glue or other adhesive during the forming process or by being provided in a pre-glued condition. The Bliss container 12 of FIG. 1 has lid panels 24 that form a lid for container 12 and a divider 26 interconnecting side panels 18 across the interior of container 12. As known to those skilled in the art, lid panels 24 and divider 26 can be provided or not provided with container 12. The reinforcing pillars or structural columns 28, which provide additional strength to container 12, are beneficially formed, as set forth below, by smart mandrel 10 of the present invention.
As best shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, mandrel 10 comprises a plurality of frame members 30 which define mandrel frame 32 that supports the operation of mandrel 10 with regard to forming columns 28 in side panels 18. Mounted on frame 32 is the female profile mechanism 34 and male profile mechanism 36. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the female profile mechanism 34 is fixedly mounted on frame 32 and the male profile mechanism 36 is slidably mounted on frame 32 to move in the same general direction as the plane formed by the side blank 18 when attached to mandrel 10. Typically, the side blanks 18 are held in place on mandrel 10 against the static picks or stops 38 by a vacuum mechanism, such as the one or more vacuum cups 40 shown mounted on mandrel 10. As known to those skilled in the art, other types of picking and holding mechanism can also be utilized with smart mandrel 10 of the present invention.
The female profile mechanism 34 includes a female forming tool 42 that is shaped and configured to correspond to the desired inward facing shape of column 28. Typically, the female forming tool 42 will be mounted on a guide shaft 43 and include an inwardly disposed groove or groove-like shape, as shown in the figures. Male profile mechanism 36 includes a male forming tool 44 shaped and configured to cooperatively engage the female forming tool 42 with side blank 18 disposed therebetween, as best shown in FIG. 4. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, male forming tool 42 comprises an elongated member having an inwardly disposed, generally V-shaped profile that is mounted on a bed plate which is attached to guides and housed within frame 30. Male profile mechanism 36 also includes an actuating mechanism 46, which is preferably a linear actuating mechanism comprising a pneumatic cylinder 48 or the like, for moving the male forming tool 44 between its retracted position 50 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) and its extended position 52 (FIG. 4) where it engages side blanks 18 over female forming tool 42 to form column 28. Male profile mechanism 36 is configured to advance and retract in the same general plane of travel as mandrel 10, but independently of the forward and backward movement of mandrel 10. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, male profile mechanism 36 includes a pair of male forming tools 44 that are joined by cross-member 54, which is operatively connected to a linear guide mechanism driven by pneumatic cylinder 48 to jointly drive both male forming tools 44 at the same time so as to form a pair of columns 28. Attached to mandrel 10 is a mandrel carriage 56, shown in FIGS. 6 through 8, that moves the mandrel toward and then back away from the body blank 16 positioned on primary compression mechanism 14, supported by forming machine frame 58, of container forming machine.
During the forming process, side blanks 18 for the Bliss container 12 are located in hoppers (not shown) which are positioned at ninety degrees to the plane of travel of the mandrel 10, which is generally left to right in FIGS. 5 through 7. Picks pull the side blanks 18 from the hoppers and place them in position on mandrel 10, as best shown in FIG. 3. Side blanks 18 are held in position against mandrel 10 by vacuum cups 40. The male profile mechanism 36 is held in its retracted or “open” position, with the bedplate retracted, as the side blanks 18 are positioned. Once the vacuum cups 40 take hold of the side blanks 18, the bedplate is moved forward bringing the male forming tool 44 over side blanks 18. When in position, the male forming tools 44 are closed against the sides of side blanks 18, which results in the side blanks 18 being sandwiched between the male 44 and female 42 profile tools. The male forming tools 44 held in the closed position as the mandrel 10 moves forward into the compression mechanism 14. The formed profile for column 28 is securely held until it is fixed by the bonding of the Bliss body blank lap joints. As the mandrel 10 retracts, the male profile mechanism 36 resets to its home, retracted position 50.
In use, prior to mandrel 10 being activated to advance towards the primary compression mechanism 14 of the container forming machine and the body blank 16 of the Bliss style container 12, the side panels 18 are positioned against mandrel 10 by a pick and place mechanism that removes side blanks 18 directly from a hopper, that is usually positioned parallel to the same plane as the direction of movement of mandrel 10. The sides blanks 18 are held in position by an engaging means, such as vacuum cups 40, located within the frame 32 of mandrel 10. The female forming tools 42 are preset to give the correct shape of the form being ploughed by the male forming tools 44. With mandrel 10 loaded with the Bliss side blanks 18, the male forming tools 44 advance forward by way of actuating mechanism 46 (i.e., pneumatic cylinder 48) so that the male forming tools 44 are positioned above each of the Bliss side blanks 18. The pneumatic cylinder 48 is activated, extending the male forming tools 44 towards the female forming tools 42. The apex 60, shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, of the generally V-shaped cross-section of the profiled edge of the male forming tool 44 makes contact with the outer face of the Bliss side blank 18 and squeezes the side blank 18 between it and female forming tool 42 until the desired shape for structural column 28 is achieved. Mandrel 10 then advances forward into the compression chamber of the primary compression mechanism 14 of the container forming machine with the side blanks 18 being held firmly in position between the nip of male 44 and female 42 forming tools. All the pre-glued laps 22 of the Bliss body blank 16 are ploughed by means of a powered compression plate and glued to the ends or sides of the container 12 in which the formed columns 18 have been fully shaped and held firmly in position between the male 44 and female 42 forming tools. The shape of the column 28 is then fixed as part of the completed box 12. The mandrel 10 retracts and the bedplate together with the male forming tools 44 are reset to their home, retracted position 50 ready to begin the forming process for the next container.
Although the foregoing description and the figures included herewith describe and show the columns 28 placed in the side blanks 18 of container 12, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention is not so limited. If desired, the smart mandrel 10 of the present invention can be utilized to form one or more columns 28 in one or more ends of container 12 in virtually the same manner as described above for side blanks 18. In addition, a plurality of mandrels 10 can be used with a rotary forming machine to form a plurality of containers 12 at the same time (i.e., as the mandrels 10 rotate).
While there are shown and described herein one or more specific forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape, and use. For instance, there are numerous components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present invention.
Patent Application
20080032878
