Folding unit for folding cardboard blanks, folding apparatus comprising such folding unit and method for folding cardboard blanks

A folding unit to fold cardboard blanks having an end panel, a corner panel and a side panel, said folding unit comprising:

• an end panel folding element actuable to pivot about a first axis of a first hinge;
• a side panel folding element actuable to pivot about a second axis of a second hinge;
• and
• a corner panel folding element, said corner panel folding element comprising a guiding plate comprising a straight edge, said guiding plate actuable to move prior to and independently of the end panel folding element, while the end panel folding element remains stationary, the guiding plate pivots about a third axis in order to initiate folding the corner panel about an axis that is substantially parallel to said second axis, wherein said third axis is an axis of a third hinge running at an angle of about 0° to 60° with respect to said first axis, and said guiding plate is further actuable to rotate about a fourth axis, said fourth axis substantially perpendicular to said third axis,
• wherein rotation of the corner panel folding element about the third axis moves the fourth axis relative to the end panel folding element.

A folding unit to fold cardboard blanks having an end panel, a corner panel, a bottom panel, and a side panel, said folding unit comprising:

• an end panel folding element actuable to pivot about a first axis of a first hinge;
• a side panel folding element actuable to pivot about a second axis of a second hinge;
• and
• a corner panel folding element, said corner panel folding element comprising a guiding plate, said guiding plate actuable to move independently of the end panel folding element, while the end panel folding element remains stationary, the guiding plate pivots about a third axis to place a straight edge of said guiding plate substantially parallel to said second axis such that said straight edge runs on or close to a crease line between the side panel and the bottom panel and blocks the bottom panel from lifting up while the side panel is folded up, and to initiate folding the corner panel about an axis that is substantially parallel to said second axis, and the guiding plate including a curved edge that, when the guiding plate is positioned with said straight edge on or close to the crease line between the side panel and the bottom panel, extends away from the straight edge, away from the second axis, and towards the first axis so as to be positioned to provide a sliding surface for the corner panel to move along when the end panel folding element folds the end panel upwards,
• wherein said third axis is an axis of a third hinge running at an angle of about 0° to 60° with respect to said first axis.