US 6,941,725 B2Granted

Method and device for closing a box by folding a closing lateral flap

AssigneeI.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A.

InventorRodolfo Gaudenzi

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Abstract

A method for closing a box (1) by folding a lateral closing flap (5) extending from an upper edge (6) of a lateral aperture (7) of the box (1) and having at least one foldable edge (8), while the box (1) is being moved along a packaging line (L) in a forward movement direction (W), includes the steps of folding the lateral flap (5) until a connection line (9) of the foldable edge (8) touches stop means (15), then folding the foldable edge (8) on the striking means (15) and toward the lateral aperture (7) of the box (1), so that an outer edge (8a) of the foldable edge (8) interacts with contrast means (17), which keep elastically the edge (8) in a position raised with respect to a bottom wall (1a) of the box (1), and lastly introducing the edge (8) into the box (1). A device for carrying out the methods has folding means (14) for folding the said lateral flap. Then first pusher means (16) fold the foldable edge (8) toward the box (1) against contrast means (17), while second pusher means (18) are disposed crosswise and in alignment the said contrast means (17) to strike the lateral flap (5) and insert the lateral flap into the box (1).

A device for closing a box (1) with open ends, the box closed by folding a lateral closing flap (5) extending from an upper edge (6) oh lateral aperture (7) of one open end of said box (1) and having a foldable edge (8) joined to said lateral flap (5) by a connection line (9), said box (1) being moved along a packaging line (L) in a forward movement direction (W) while lying on a bottom wall (1a);

the device comprising:
folding means (14) rot folding said lateral flap (5) until the connection line (9) of said foldable edge (8) is in abutment against stop means (15), said stop means (15) being situated under said folding means (14);
first pusher means (16), reciprocating in a direction crosswise with respect to said forward movement direction (W), between an inoperative position (A) and an operative position (B) in which the first pusher moans (16) and said stop means (15), engage with said foldable edge (8) to fold the foldable edge (8) toward the box (1);
contrast means (17) located downstream of said stop means (15) and said first pusher means (16) with reference to said forward movement direction (W), said contrast means striking said edge (8) and keeping the edge elastically in a position raised with respect said bottom wall (1a) of said box (1);
second pusher means (18), disposed crosswise and in alignment with said contrast means (17), and reciprocating in a direction transversal to said forward movement direction (W), said second pusher means moved synchronously with the first pusher means (16) between an inoperative position (C) and an operative position (D), in which the second pusher means (18) strike said lateral flap (5) to set said lateral flap against the box (1) and introduce said edge into said box (1);
said contrast means (17) including a block (71), located beside and under said box (1) and pivoting on an axis (Z), which is substantially parallel to said forward movement direction (W), said block (71) oscillating on said axis (Z) against the elastic reaction means (73), so that the upper surface (74) of said block (71) receives said edge (8).

3 more elements

Abstract

Claims12