Modular machine for making cardboard packages

A modular machine for making packages from a sheet material comprising:

• a plurality of treatment modules, one of the modules being a driving module and the other modules being driven modules, the modules being separably connected in alignment along a line having a geometrical axis, each module having a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end;
• a plurality of rails mounted parallel to the geometric axis of the line, wherein each module is capable of being guided in translation along the rails towards or away from an adjacent module;
• a plurality of driven module locking devices, each driven module locking device having a first locking portion mounted on the first end of each of the driven modules and a second locking portion mounted on the second end of each of the driven modules, the first locking portion being adapted to cooperate in a locking relationship with the second locking portion of an adjacent driven module;
• a driving module locking device having at least one portion mounted to the first end of the driving module;
• a plurality of rotary members for performing a treatment function, one rotary member being mounted to each module;
• a plurality of driven shafts having a first and second end, one driven shaft being coupled to each driven module and extending parallel to the geometric axis of the line, each driven shaft driving each rotary member in a cyclical, rotating movement;
• an initial shaft having a first end and a second end and being mounted to the driving module and extending parallel to the geometric axis of the line, the initial shaft driving the rotary member of the driving module in a cyclical, rotating movement;
• a transmitting means connected to each rotary member for transmitting the rotating movement of each shaft to each rotary member;
• a plurality of driven coupling devices for coupling the first end of each shaft of each driven module with the second end of each shaft of each adjacent driven module, so that the shafts are aligned by translation of the driven modules respective one another;
• a driving coupling device for coupling the first end of the initial shaft of the driving module to an adjacent second end of the shaft of a driven module so that the initial shaft is aligned by translation of the driving and driven modules respective one another;
• a rotary drive device coupled to the second end of the initial shaft by an initial transmitting means, the rotary drive device transmitting rotary movement from the rotary drive device to the initial shaft;
• a controlling automatic indexing device adapted to cooperate with the initial shaft for stopping the initial shaft and each driven shaft at a predetermined indexing angular position;
• controlled indexing devices mounted to each driven module for receiving indexing commands from the controlling automatic indexing device;
• and
• a plurality of mechanical blocking means, one mechanical blocking means being coupled to each driven module for blocking the driven shaft at the angular indexing position.