Base folding-in arrangement in a packaging machine

In a machine for forming packages from a preformed tubular member of packaging material at a series of succeeding stations, said tubular member having two opposed outer bottom-forming panels, each provided with a crease line where it adjoins the adjacent side of the package and opposed inner bottom-forming panels intermediate said outer panels and provided with crease lines defining triangular panels which are folded inwardly when said outer panels are folded down to form the bottom of the package, the improvement comprising, at the bottom-forming station, a first means reciprocally movable along the axis of and toward and away from the tubular member for folding down one of the opposed outer panels, means for reciprocally moving said first means, a second means pivotally mounted at a fixed point for folding down the other of the opposed outer panels, means mounted on said first reciprocally movable means for pivoting said second pivotally mounted means, whereby the one of the opposed outer panels underlies the other of the opposed outer panels and fixed means for retaining both of the outer panels in their folded down position as the package is moved to a succeeding station.