EP0468860B1 - Apparatus and method for producing containers formed from sheet material - Google Patents

Abstract

Container of sheet material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, comprising square or rectangular lateral faces connected in pairs by a folding line, the said folding lines being mutually parallel. <??>According to the invention, such a container comprises at least five lateral faces. It may be obtained by rolling up a blank of sheet material around a core interacting with a pressure plate whose profile corresponds to that of two or three consecutive faces of the said core. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to machines for making boxes of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or similar sheet material, from blanks of such material, as well as a method for producing a box using such a machine.

By the patents US-A-4 349 345 and EP-A-0 334 707, for example, machines are known by which it is possible to produce a cardboard box or the like by winding a blank around a mandrel.

The machine of US-A-4 349 345 comprises jaws folding blanks, not provided with pre-folding lines, around such a mandrel.

• un mandrin, dont la section extérieure correspond à la section intérieure de ladite caisse à obtenir ;
• des moyens pour supporter librement un volet intermédiaire de ladite suite de volets au moins approximativement en regard de la face correspondante dudit mandrin, mais à quelque distance de celle-ci, puis pour rapprocher ledit volet intermédiaire en direction de ladite face correspondante du mandrin, puis presser ledit volet intermédiaire contre ladite face correspondante, après repliement des volets adjacents audit volet intermédiaire jusqu'à ce que lesdits volets adjacents portent contre ledit mandrin ;
• des moyens pour enrouler ladite suite de volets autour dudit mandrin ;
• des moyens pour fixer entre eux les volets extrêmes de ladite suite de volets ainsi enroulée sur ledit mandrin ;
• des moyens pour replier les rabats dudit premier ensemble contre une face correspondante dudit mandrin ; et
• des moyens pour fixer les uns aux autres lesdits rabats ainsi repliés.

In patent EP-A-0334707, a machine is described for producing a box from a blank of sheet material comprising a series of rectangular or square flaps connected to each other by first parallel fold lines. to each other and a first set of lateral flaps arranged on one side of said series of flaps, connected thereto by second fold lines perpendicular to said first fold lines and intended to form at least partially the bottom of said body, said machine comprising:

• a mandrel, the outer section of which corresponds to the inner section of said body to be obtained;
• means for freely supporting an intermediate flap of said series of flaps at least approximately opposite the corresponding face of said mandrel, but at a distance therefrom, then for bringing said intermediate flap towards said corresponding face of the mandrel, then pressing said intermediate flap against said corresponding face, after folding the flaps adjacent to said intermediate flap until said adjacent flaps bear against said mandrel;
• means for winding said series of shutters around said mandrel;
• means for fixing between them the end flaps of said series of flaps thus wound on said mandrel;
• means for folding the flaps of said first assembly against a corresponding face of said mandrel; and
• means for fixing to each other said flaps thus folded.

In these machines, said mandrel has an essentially square or rectangular section, (even if the corners of the mandrel of the machine of US-A-4 349 345 are rounded), so that the boxes obtained have four lateral faces delimiting a volume whose section, parallel to the bottom of said boxes, is also square or rectangular. Of course, two adjacent lateral faces are then orthogonal to one another and form an edge perpendicular to the bottom of the body.

Such cases are used to package objects or groups of objects which are introduced by the cover which remains open, the closing of said cover being carried out only after introduction of said objects.

It seldom happens, if not to say never, that the section of the load constituted by said objects or groups of objects is square or rectangular and adapts exactly to that of the box in which said load is introduced, so that said load is not firmly held in said box by the lateral faces thereof and that the corners of said box are protruding and empty. As a result, said load can move inside the box, causing instability raising handling and loading difficulties on board a means of transport. In addition, the protruding corners of the body (except for US-A-4 349 345) are exposed to external attacks and can be easily torn, which affects the presentation and protection of the packaged products. Finally, the empty corners of the box constitute a waste of sheet material, since they are useless.

• on peut adapter au mieux la forme de la section de la caisse à la section de la charge qu'elle doit contenir, de sorte que celle-ci peut être maintenue latéralement de façon optimale ;
• on peut supprimer les coins saillants vides et inutiles de la caisse, ce qui permet de réduire les risques de détérioration desdits coins saillants et de faire des économies de matière en feuille. Ces coins saillants (dièdres à 90°) sont alors transformés en dièdres plus ouverts (angle supérieur à 90°), moins vulnérables aux agressions extérieures ;
• on peut augmenter le nombre des arêtes latérales et donc la résistance à la compression de la caisse.

The object of the present invention is to improve the machine of EP-A-0334 707 in order to allow the manufacture of cases in which:

• the shape of the body section can best be adapted to the section of the load that it must contain, so that it can be optimally maintained laterally;
• we can remove the empty and unnecessary projecting corners of the box, which reduces the risk of deterioration of said projecting corners and to save sheet material. These protruding corners (90 ° dihedrons) are then transformed into more open dihedrons (angle greater than 90 °), less vulnerable to external aggressions;
• we can increase the number of side edges and therefore the compressive strength of the body.

To this end, according to the invention, the machine of the type described therein in patent EP-A-0334707 and mentioned above, is characterized in that said mandrel has at least five faces and in that said means for supporting, bringing together and pressing said intermediate flap comprise a pressure plate comprising two faces rigidly linked together, the first of said faces corresponding to said intermediate flap and the second to a first flap adjacent to said intermediate flap, said first and second faces of the pressure plate determining a first dihedral such that, when said first face is applied against said face of the mandrel corresponding to said intermediate flap, said second face is applied against the face of said mandrel corresponding to said first adjacent flap, the edge of said first dihedron being then in coincidence with the edge of said mandrel determined by said corresponding faces of said mandr in.

Thus, two flaps of said blank are perfectly positioned relative to the mandrel and held relative to the corresponding faces of the latter during the winding of said blank, so that the box obtained is particularly precise in shape.

To further increase this precision, it is advantageous for said pressure plate to have a third face rigidly connected to said first and second faces of said plate, and corresponding to the second flap adjacent to said intermediate flap, said first and third faces of the pressure plate determining a second dihedral such that, when said first and second faces are applied against said faces of the mandrel which correspond to them, said third face is applied against the face of said mandrel corresponding to said adjacent second flap, the edge of said second dihedron being then in coincidence with the edge of said mandrel determined by said corresponding faces of said mandrel. Thus, during the final winding phase of the flaps three of them are precisely arranged and held firmly against the corresponding faces of the mandrel.

Advantageously, said means for winding said series of flaps around the mandrel comprise a movable assembly comprising tilting arms.

Thus, thanks to the machine of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a box having, parallel to its bottom, a quadrangular section with cut corners and which may have eight faces and have a rectangular section with four cut corners. Such a box may also have only six side faces, the four corners also being cut. Alternatively, the body obtained by the machine according to the invention may have six lateral faces, with only two consecutive cut corners. According to another variable, the box obtained has eight lateral faces and it has a square section with four cut corners. In the latter case, the eight side faces may be identical.

According to another embodiment, the box obtained by the machine according to the invention has, parallel to its bottom, a triangular section with cut corners. It can have five side faces and have a triangular section with two cut corners. It can also have six lateral faces and have a triangular section at the three cut corners.

Thus, a blank of sheet material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard intended for the production of a box by means of the machine according to the present invention and comprising a series of rectangular or square shutters connected to each other by first lines of folding parallel to each other and a first set of lateral flaps arranged on one side of said series of flaps, connected to this by second fold lines perpendicular to said first fold lines and intended to form at least partially the bottom of said box, is such that said suite has at least five components.

This blank may further comprise a second set of lateral flaps arranged on the other side of said series of flaps, connected to the latter by third fold lines perpendicular to said first fold lines and intended to form at least partially the cover. of said fund.

Some flaps may not have side flaps of said first set and / or of said second set.

At least one flap of said first set and / or of the second set may have, at least in the vicinity of said second or third corresponding fold line, the shape of the section of the box obtained from said blank.

Two flaps, respectively of said first and second sets of flaps, connected to the same flap, may be identical or different in shape.

A flap having neither flap of said first set, nor flap of said second set may, however, have a stud on its edge being on the side of said first set of flaps and a notch on its edge being on the side of said second set of flaps , so that when two boxes obtained from two such identical blanks are superimposed, the stud of the lower box penetrates in the notch of the upper case. The boxes thus obtained are then easily stackable.

To the same end, as a variant, it can be provided that the flaps of said first and second sets, which are on the outside when the box is formed, have complementary shapes such that when two such boxes are superimposed, the flaps of said first set of the lower case fit into the flaps of said second set of the upper case.

In order to further strengthen the solidity of the boxes obtained by the machine according to the invention, it is advantageous that at least one flap of said first set and / or of said second set, comprises at least one folding tab capable of being fixed to a flap, when the box is formed from said blank.

The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.

Figure 1 shows, flat, a blank of sheet material for the manufacture of a first embodiment of a box using the machine according to the present invention.

Figures 2 and 3 show in perspective the box obtained from the blank of Figure 1, the cover of said box being respectively shown open (Figure 2) and closed (Figure 3).

FIG. 4 illustrates, in cross section parallel to its bottom, a use of the box of FIGS. 2 and 3.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 schematically illustrate the process of forming the box of Figure 2 from the blank of Figure 1.

Figures 8, 10 and 12 are schematic elevational views of a machine for the manufacture of the box of Figure 2, from the blank of Figure 1, at different stages of this manufacture.

Figures 9, 11 and 13 are schematic top views corresponding respectively to Figures 8, 10 and 12.

Figures 14, 15 and 16 schematically illustrate in partial side views, perpendicular to Figures 8, 10 and 12, the closure of the bottom of the box of Figures 2 and 3.

Figures 17,20,23,26,29,32,35,38,41,44,47,50,53 and 56 show, flat, respectively, variants of blanks intended for the machine according to the present invention.

Figures 18,21,24,27,30,33,36,39,45,48,51,54 and 57 show, in perspective, the cases obtained respectively from the blanks of Figures 17,20,23,26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 44, 47, 50, 53 and 56, said cases having their lid open.

Figures 19,22,25,28,31,34,37,40,42,46,49,52,55 and 58 show, in perspective, the cases obtained respectively from the blanks of Figures 17,20,23, 26,29,32,35,38, 41,44,47,50,53 and 56, said cases having their lid closed.

FIG. 43 is an end view of the box of FIG. 42, obtained from the blank of FIG. 41.

The blank F1 of sheet material, for example of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, shown in FIG. 1 comprises a series of eight rectangular flaps aligned 1 to 8, two by two connected by preformed and parallel fold lines 9 to 15. Along the free edge of the end flap 1 of said series of flaps is arranged a tongue 16 connected to said end flap 1 by a fold line 17, parallel to the fold lines 9 to 15.

Furthermore, on each side of each flap 1,3,5 and 7 are respectively provided with flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7 and 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7. Each side flap 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7 is articulated to the corresponding flap 1,3,5 or 7 by a preformed fold line 20.1, 20.3, 20.5 or 20.7. These fold lines 20.1, 20.3, 20.5 and 20.7 are aligned and perpendicular to the fold lines 9 to 15 and 17. Similarly, each side flap 19.1, 19.3, 19.5, 19.7 is articulated to the corresponding 1,3,5,7 flap by a preformed fold line 21.1, 21.3, 21.5 or 21.7. The fold lines 21.1, 21.3, 21.5 and 21.7 are aligned and perpendicular to the fold lines 9 to 15 and 17. The flaps 2,4,6 and 8 have no lateral flap.

The rectangular shutters 1 to 8 all have the same height h . The two flaps 1 and 5 are identical to each other and have a width l . The two flaps 3 and 7 are identical to each other and have a width L, greater than l .

The four flaps 2,4,6 and 8 are identical to each other and have a width e less than l . The height h is greater than L.

The blank F1 is intended to form, by winding and securing the flaps 1 to 8 and securing the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7, 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7 - as described below in more detail with regard to Figures 5 to 16 - the box C1 shown in Figure 3. The box C1 has a height equal to h , a length L1 and a width l1 . It has the general appearance of a rectangular section box with four cut corners. In the box C1, the large side faces are formed by the flaps 3 and 7, while the small side faces are formed by the flaps 1 and 5, the flaps 2,4,6 and 8 forming the cut corners of said box C1 . In addition, the bottom of the box C1 is formed by the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5 and 18.7, while the cover of said box C1 is formed by the flaps 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7.

The four flaps 18.1, 18.5, 19.1 and 19.5 are identical and rectangular. They have a length equal to the width l of the flaps 1 and 5.

The flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3 and 19.7 are identical to each other. They have a length equal to the length L1 of the box C1 and a width l1 / 2 equal to half the width l1 of the latter. The flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3 and 19.7, the length L1 of which is greater than the width L of the corresponding flaps 3 and 7, are connected to the said flaps by a converging part whose inclined edges 22 have a length a equal to the width e of the flaps 2,4,6 and 8. Thus, each of said flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3 and 19.7 corresponds in shape to half of the section of the body C1.

c'est-à-dire égale à 70%. Il en résulte, pour chaque coin, une économie de matière égale à 30%.In Figure 4, there is illustrated, in cross section, an application of the box C1 to the packaging of six bottles B separated by a dividing spider S. It can be seen that, thanks to the cut corners corresponding to the flaps 2.4 , 6 and 8, the end bottles B are well maintained, since these cut corners pitch the latter. These corners, not very protruding, are relatively little vulnerable to external aggressions. In addition, at each corner, relative to a known rectangular box, it can be seen that only a proportion a / 2b of sheet material is used. If the faces 2,4,6 and 8 are inclined at 45 ° to the faces 1,3,5,7, this proportion is equal to 1 / $\sqrt{\text{₂,}}$

that is to say equal to 70%. The result is, for each corner, a material saving equal to 30%.

Finally, the box C1 has eight lateral edges, corresponding respectively to the fold lines 9 to 17, which gives it a higher compressive strength than that of a box with rectangular section.

In FIGS. 8 to 16, a machine is schematically illustrated allowing the manufacture of the box C1, with open lid, as shown in FIG. 2. These figures are, for the sake of clarity, deliberately partial and simplified and they do not each include only the elements necessary for understanding the manufacturing phases they illustrate.

The machine of FIGS. 8 to 16 comprises a mandrel 23 (shown on a larger scale in FIGS. 5 to 7), the external shape of which corresponds to the internal shape of the box C1 to be obtained from the blank F1. To this end, the section of the mandrel 23 is rectangular with cut sides. As shown in Figures 8 to 16, the length of the mandrel 23 may be different from the height h of the box C1. The mandrel 23 may be full or only made up of a reinforcement delimiting its edges, as shown in said Figures 5 to 7. In these figures, it has been assumed that said mandrel 23 was made up of profiles 24 (seen at the end in Figures 5 to 7), parallel and of rectangular section with a cut corner, defining lateral support faces 25 to 32 for the flaps of the blank F1, folding edges 33 to 40 corresponding to the fold lines between said flaps, and a front support face 41 for the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5 and 18.7, the contour of said bearing face 41 forming fold edges corresponding to the fold lines of said flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5 and 18.7.

In FIGS. 5 to 7, the process of positioning the blank F1 relative to the mandrel 23 is illustrated diagrammatically, when it is desired to apply the intermediate flap 3 against the corresponding lower face 25 of the mandrel 23.

By known means, for example those shown in document EP-A-0334707, a blank F1 is brought in the vicinity of the mandrel 23, so that its flap 3 is disposed at least approximately opposite the bearing face 25. Although the lateral positioning of said flap 3 relative to said face 25 is sought as precise as possible, it may happen that a lateral offset δ appears between the flap 3 and said bearing face 25. To avoid untimely folding of the blank F1, outside the fold lines 10 and 11, during the folding down of the other flaps of the blank F1, it is made so that, before folding down of said other flaps, the flap 3 is spaced from the bearing face 25 d 'a distance d (see Figure 5). Then, during the folding down of said flaps 2.1 and of the tongue 16 on the one hand, and of flaps 4 to 8 on the other hand, the flap 3 is brought closer to the bearing face 25 by means of a pressure plate 42, the profile of which is concave and which, transversely to the mandrel 23, has a face 43 superimposable on the face 25 of said mandrel, a face 44 superimposed on the face 26 of the mandrel 23 and a face 45 superimposed on the face 32 of the latter, the faces 43 and 44 being connected one to the other by an edge 46 superimposable on the edge 34, while the faces 43 and 45 are connected to each other by an edge 47 superimposable on the edge 33. Thus, during the approximation of the flap 3 of the face 25 (arrow F), the flaps 2.1 and the tongue 16, on the one hand and the flaps 4 to 8 on the other hand, are pressed against the mandrel 23 (see the dotted lines 48 and 49 of Figure 5), which generates a lateral guiding effect and exactly positions the flap 3 relative to the bearing face 25 (see Figure 6). When the plate 42 presses the flap 3 against the bearing face 25, (see FIG. 7), the fold lines 10 and 11 are exactly superimposed on the fold edges 33 and 34 and the fold lines 9 and 12 are exactly superimposed on folding edges 40 and 35.

Since the blank F1 is temporarily made integral with the mandrel 23 by the pressure exerted by the plate 42, the formation of the box C1 can be continued by winding the blank F1 around said mandrel (see the dotted lines in Figure 8) .

Thanks to such a winding, the flaps 1,5,6,7,8 are respectively applied against the faces 31,27,28,29 and 30 and the tongue 16 is folded back on the face 30 (before or after the flap 8) . It is therefore possible to secure the tongue 16 and the flap 8, for example by gluing.

Then, the flaps 18.1 and 18.5 are folded around the edges of the front face 41 of the mandrel 23 corresponding respectively to the fold lines 20.1 and 20.5, to come to bear against said corresponding front face 41 of the mandrel 23.

Finally, the flaps 18.3 and 18.7 are folded around the edges of the front face 41 of the mandrel 23 corresponding respectively to the fold lines 20.3 and 20.7 and applied against the flaps 18.1 and 18.5 already folded, so that said flaps 18.1, 18.3,18.5 and 18.7 may be made integral with each other, for example by gluing.

We then obtain the box C1 shown in Figure 2, fitted on the mandrel 23 and open on the side of the flaps 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7.

To fill this box C1, it is released from the mandrel 23 and it is made to rest on its bottom consisting of integral flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5 and 18.7. After filling, the box C1 can be closed by folding the flaps 19.1 and 19.5, respectively around the fold lines 21.1 and 21.5, then by folding the flaps 19.3 and 19.7 on the folded flaps 19.1 and 19.5, and finally by securing said flaps 19.1 , 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7, for example by gluing. We then obtain the closed box C1 shown in FIG. 3.

The operations indicated above can be carried out automatically by means of the machine illustrated diagrammatically and partially in FIGS. 8 to 16. This machine comprises a frame 50 with respect to which the mandrel 23 and the pressure plate 42 are mounted. It further comprises a device (not shown), of any known type, making it possible to take one by one of the blanks F1 in a store to bring them under the mandrel 23. Glueers 51, 52 and 53, mounted on the frame 50, make it possible to deposit lines of adhesive 54, 55, 56, respectively on the tongue 16 and on the flaps 18.1 and 18.5, during the supply of a blank F1 under the mandrel 23.

Thus, thanks to the glueers 51 to 53, the blank F1 is arranged, already glued, under the mandrel 23 in the position shown in FIG. 5, above the pressure plate 42, driven by a jack 57, carried by the frame 50.

To wind the flaps 1 to 8 and the tongue 16 around the mandrel 23, the machine comprises a mechanism comprising a movable assembly 58 which can be raised or lowered by means of a jack 59, bearing on the frame 50.

The moving element 58 comprises two articulated arms 60 and 61, for example respectively driven by a linkage 62 connected to the frame 50 and by a cam 63 mounted on said frame.

Actuators 64 to 67, such as jacks for example, are mounted on the frame 50 and can fold the flaps 18.1, 18.5, 18.7 and 18.3 respectively. Pressers 68 and 69, also mounted on the frame 50, are provided for applying the tongue 16 and the flap 8 against the face 30 of the mandrel 23.

A blank F1 being brought under the mandrel 23 so as to be in the position of FIG. 5 (see FIGS. 8 and 9), the jacks 57 and 59 are actuated so that, on the one hand, the pressure plate 42 approaches the mandrel 23 and that, on the other hand, the articulated arms 60 and 61, in response to the rise of the movable assembly 58, fold the flaps of the blank F1, respectively arranged on either side of the flap 3 The blank F1 then takes, relative to the mandrel 23, successively the relative positions illustrated by FIGS. 6 and 7. Then, the rise of the moving assembly 58 continuing, the arms 60 and 61 respectively press the flaps 5,6 and 1 against the corresponding faces 27, 28 and 31 of the mandrel 23 (see FIGS. 10 and 11).

The presser 68 then applies the tongue 16 against the face 30 of the mandrel, after which the other presser 69 applies the flap 8 against the tongue 16 and the face 30. Thanks to the line of adhesive 54, the flap 8 is therefore secured of the tongue 16 (see Figures 12 and 13).

Then, the actuators 64 and 65 fold the flaps 18.1 and 18.5 against the front face 41 of the mandrel 23 (FIG. 11), after which the actuators 66 and 67 respectively apply the flap 18.7 (FIG. 15) then the flap 18.3 (FIG. 16) against the folded back flaps 18.1 and 18.5. Thanks to the adhesive lines 55 and 56, the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5 and 18.7 are joined to each other to form the bottom of the box C1.

Figures 17,20,23,26,29,32,35,38 and 41 respectively show blanks of sheet material F2 to F10 capable of forming boxes of rectangular section with cut corners, like box C1. In the blanks F2, F3, F5 to F9 of Figures 17,20,26,29,32,35, and 38 we find the continuation of the eight rectangular shutters aligned 1 to 8, two by two connected by the preformed fold lines and parallel 9 to 15 and bordered by fold lines 20.1, 20.3, 20.5, 20.7, 21.1, 21.3, 21.5 and 21.7, as described above with reference to Figure 1. However, in these alternative embodiments, the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7 and 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7 have different shapes, so that the boxes obtained C2, C3 and C5 to C9 are different from the box C1, although, having the same rectangular section with corners cut.

With regard to the blanks F4 and F10 of FIGS. 23 and 41, the series of aligned rectangular flaps 1 to 8 is also different, so that the corresponding boxes C4 and C10 are different from the box C1, although of similar section.

From the above, it will be easily understood that boxes C2 to C10 can be obtained by using the machine described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 16, possibly by adapting the position and / or the number of glueers 51 to 53, actuators 64 to 67 and pressers 68.69.

In the blank F2 of FIG. 17, the flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3 and 19.7 are identical and rectangular. They have a length equal to the width L of the flaps 3 and 7 and a width equal to half of l1. In addition, the flaps 18.1, 18.5, 19.1 and 19.5 are identical to each other and each of them has a length equal to 11. These are the flaps 18.1, 18.5, 19.1 and 19.5 which therefore comprise, in the vicinity of their fold line with the corresponding flaps, the widening provided by the inclined edges 22, these having the length a .

The blank F3 of FIG. 20 is identical to the blank F2 of FIG. F2, except as regards the free edges of the flaps 2,4,6,8 and of the tongue 16. The free edges of said flaps and of said directed tongue on the side of the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5 and 18.7 have notches 70, while those directed on the side of the flaps 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7 have projections 71. Thus, the box C3 has slots 73 and at its upper part of the pins 74. When two boxes C3 are superimposed, the pins 74 of the lower box penetrate into the slots 73 of the upper box, so that said boxes are held laterally with respect to one another.

The flaps 2 to 8 and the flaps 18.3, 18.5, 18.7, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7 of the blank F4 of FIG. 23 are identical to those of the blank F1 of FIG. 1. On the other hand, the flap 1, the tongue 16 and the flaps 18.1 and 19.1 have been deleted and replaced by two rectangular flaps 1.1 and 1.2, respectively secured to the outer edges of flaps 2 and 9, along the fold lines 9 and 75. At each of the flaps 1.1 and 1.2 are associated respectively with rectangular flaps 18.11, 19.11 and 18.72, 19.72. The flaps 1.1 and 1.2 and the flaps 18.11, 19.11, 18.72 and 19.72 have a width l2 greater than the half width l of the flap 5. Thus, after folding the blank F4 around the mandrel 23, the flaps 1.1 and 1.2 and the flaps 18.11 , 19.11, 18.72 and 19.72 are superimposed along an overlapping area 76, along which they can be joined, for example by gluing.

For the most part, in the blank F5 of FIG. 26, the flaps 1 to 8, the tongue 16, the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7, 19.1 and 19.5 are identical to those of the blank F1 in FIG. 1. However , along their inclined edges 22, the flaps 18.3 and 18.7 have tabs 77. Furthermore, the flaps 19.3 and 19.7 have a shape which corresponds to the section of the body C5. In addition, the inclined edges 22 and 78 of the cut corners of the flap 19.7 have tabs 79. Thus, when the box C5 is formed from the blank F5, the tabs 77 and 79 are folded down and secured to the faces of said box corresponding to the flaps 2,4,6 and 8. The legs 77 and 79 therefore constitute reinforcements, connecting the bottom and the cover of the box C5 to the side wall thereof. There is also provided a handle 80 on the flap 19.7, said handle 80 being accessible through a slot 81 provided in the flap 19.3 when the latter is folded over the flap 19.7 and secured to it.

In the blank F6 of FIG. 29, the flaps 1 to 8, the tongue 16 and the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5 and 18.7 are identical to those of the blank F2 in FIG. 17. On the other hand, the flaps 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7 have a small width and all have inclined edges 22. Thus, the box C6 has a cover consisting only of a peripheral edge 82, delimiting a central opening 83.

The blank F7 in FIG. 32 has flaps 1 to 8, a tongue 16 and flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5 and 18.7 similar to those of the blank F1 in FIG. 1. The flaps 19.1 and 19.5 are rectangular, of length equal to the width l of the flaps 1 and 7, but of small width. The flaps 19.3 and 19.7 have inclined widening edges 22, but their width is less than 11/2. In addition, in longitudinal extension, said flaps 19.3 and 19.7 have tabs 84. Thus, the body C7 has a cover consisting of a peripheral edge 85 defining a central opening 86, the tabs 84, after folding and gluing, securing said cover lateral faces of said box corresponding to flaps 1 and 5.

In the blank F8 of FIG. 35, the flaps 1 to 8 and the tongue 16 are identical to those of the blanks F1 and F2 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The flaps 18.1, 18.5, 19.1 and 19.5 are identical to each other. Likewise, the flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3 and 19.7 are identical to each other. Each flap 18.1, 18.5, 19.1, 19.5 comprises, in the vicinity of its fold line and connection to the corresponding flap, a widening zone with inclined edges 22, then a narrowing zone with the inclined edges 87, in opposite directions at edges 22, and finally an area 88 of constant length. Each flap 18.3, 18.7, 19.3 and 19.7 comprises, in the vicinity of its fold line and connection to the corresponding flap, a zone 89 of constant width, then a widening zone with inclined edges 90 and finally a zone 91 of length constant.

The total width of the flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3 and 19.7 is equal to half of l1 and their length, at the level of the constant-length portion 91, is equal to L1. The box C8 obtained from the blank F8 is shown in FIGS. 36 and 37.

In the blank F9 of FIG. 38, the flaps 1 to 8, the tongue 16 and the flaps 18.1, 18.5, 19.1 and 19.5 are similar to those of the blank F2 in FIG. 17. However, the width of the said flaps is less than the half of l1 . The flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3 and 19.7 are identical to each other. They comprise, in the vicinity of their fold line and of connection to the corresponding flap, a rectangular part 92, then a narrowing part 93, with inclined edges 94. The width of these latter flaps is equal to half of l1 . As illustrated in FIG. 38, the manufacture of the blanks F9 is economical in sheet material, since two blanks F9 can be nested one inside the other, with longitudinal offset.

In Figure 41, there is shown a blank F10 in which the series of flaps 1 to 8 is such that the height h thereof is less than the width L of flaps 3 and 7, unlike what has been shown for the blanks F1 to F9, previously described. The flaps 18.1 and 18.5 are substantially similar to those of the blank F2 of Figure 17, while the flaps 18.3 and 18.7 are substantially similar to those of the blank F1 of Figure 1. In addition, the flaps 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7 are substantially similar to those of the blank F2 of FIG. 17. The lateral edges of the flaps 19.3 and 19.7 include notches 95.

The bottom of the box C10 is formed by the folding down and fixing of the flaps 18.1 and 18.5 on the flaps 18.3 and 18.7, previously folded down, so that said flaps 18.1 and 18.5 are projecting with respect to the latter. The cover of the box C10 is formed by the folding down and fixing of the flaps 19.3 and 19.7 on the flaps 19.1 and 19.5, previously folded down, so that said flaps 19.3 and 19.7, projecting from the flaps 19.1 and 19.5, form cavities 96 at the ends of said box. The shape of said cavities 96 corresponds to that of flaps 18.1 and 18.5. Thus, when two boxes C10 are superimposed, the projections formed by the flaps 18.1 and 18.5 of the bottom of the upper box are received in the cavities 96 of the cover of the lower box, so that the cooperation of the projections 18.1 and 18.5 and cavities 96 ensures the vertical stability of said boxes. This stability is further reinforced by the fact that the flaps 2,4,6,8 include the projections 71 and the notches 70 of the blank F3 in FIG. 20, so that the body C10 has pins 74 and the recesses 73 similar to those of the box C3, favoring the stacking of said boxes C10.

In the blank F11 of FIG. 44, the flaps 1 and 5 of the blanks F1 to F10 described above have been deleted. In addition, the flap 8 is linked to the flap 2 and it carries the tongue 16. As a result, the box C11 has a hexagonal and no longer octagonal section. Triangular flaps 18.2, 18.4, 18.6, 18.8, 19.2, 19.4, 19.6 and 19.8 are arranged at the ends of the flaps 2, 4, 6 and 8. The flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3 and 19.7 are trapezoidal.

Thus, in box C11, the corners are largely cut, resulting in the total removal, with respect to boxes C1 to C10, of the side faces corresponding to the flaps 1 and 5.

Box C12 in Figures 48 and 49 has only two consecutive cut corners. For this purpose, the corresponding blank F12 comprises the same series of flaps 8,2,3,4,6,7 as the blank F11, but, after formation of the box C12, the flaps 6 and 8 are orthogonal to the flap 7. These components 6 and 8 have no flaps. The flaps 2,3,4 and 7 have flaps 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.7, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4 and 19.7 capable of forming the bottom and the cover of the C12 box.

The blank F13 of FIG. 50 comprises a series of eight identical flaps 1 to 8, to which are associated respectively trapezoidal flaps 18.1 to 18.8 and 19.1 to 19.8. The box C13 obtained from the blank F13 therefore has an octagonal section corresponding to a square section with the four corners cut. Octagonal plates 97 are provided for the box C13 to form the bottom and the cover, respectively in cooperation with the flaps 18.1 to 18.8 and 19.1 to 19.8.

The blank F14 in FIG. 53 comprises a series of five flaps 3 to 7, the tongue 16 being linked to the first flap 3. The box C14 therefore has a triangular section with two cut corners. The flap 5 carries flaps 18.5 and 19.5 of substantially corresponding triangular shape comprising at their base inclined sides 22, to adapt to the lateral faces corresponding to the flaps 4 and 6. In addition, the flaps 3 and 7 have flaps 18.3, 18.7 and 19.3, 19.7 intended to serve as a support for the flaps 18.5 and 19.5 and to form the bottom and the cover of the box C14.

The blank F15 in Figure 56 is similar to the blank F14 in Figure 53, but has an additional flap 8 and the tip of the flaps 18.5 and 19.5 is cut. The C15 box therefore has a triangular section with three cut corners. In addition, a handle 80 is provided on the flap 8.

It will be readily understood, with the aid of what has been described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 16, that the boxes C11 to C15 can be obtained by winding the blanks F11 to F15 around mandrels 23 of shape corresponding to the section of said boxes , this winding being carried out in cooperation with a pressure plate 42, the profile of which corresponds to that of two and, preferably three, consecutive faces of said mandrel.

Claims (5)

1. Machine for the fabrication of a carton from a panel (F) of sheet material comprising a series of rectangular or square sections (1-8, 16) connected to each other by a first set of folding lines parallel to each other and a first set of lateral flaps (18.1-18.7) arranged on one side of the said series of sections and connected to the latter by a second set of folding lines perpendicular to the said first set of folding lines and designed to form, at least partially, the bottom of the said carton, the said machine comprising :

   - a mandrel (23), the external cross-section of which corresponds to the internal cross-section of the said carton to be produced;

   - means (42) to support freely an intermediate section (3) of the said series of sections at least approximately opposite to the matching face (25) of the said mandrel but at some distance from the latter, then to apply the said intermediate section to the said matching face of the mandrel, then to press the said intermediate section against the said matching face, after folding of the adjacent sections to the said intermediate section until the said adjacent sections rest against the said mandrel;

   - means for wrapping (60, 61) the said series of sections round the said mandrel;

   - means for fixing (51) together the end sections of the said series of sections thus wrapped round the said mandrel;

   - means for folding (64-67) the flaps of the said first set against a matching face (41) of the said mandrel; and

   - means for fixing (52, 53) the said flaps thus folded to each other,

   characterized in that the said mandrel (23) comprises at least five faces and in that the said means of support, application and pressing of the said intermediate section comprise a pressure plate (42) possessing two faces (43, 44) rigidly connected to each other, the first of the said faces matched against the said intermediate section and the second matched against a first section adjacent to the said intermediate section , the said first and second faces of the pressure plate defining a first dihedral angle such that, when the said first face is applied against the said face (25) of the mandrel matching the said intermediate section, the said second face is applied to the face (26) of the said mandrel matched against the adjacent first section, the edge (46) of the said first dihedral angle being then coincident with the edge (34) of the said mandrel defined by the said corresponding faces of the said mandrel.
2. Machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said pressure plate (42) comprises a third face (45) rigidly connected to the first and second section and corresponding to the second section adjacent to the intermediate section, the said first and third faces of the pressure plate defining a second dihedral angle such that, when the said first and second faces are applied against the said faces of the mandrel corresponding to them, the said third face (45) is applied against the face (32) of the mandrel corresponding to the second adjacent section, the edge (47) of the second dihedral angle then being coincident with the edge (33) of the said mandrel defined by the said corresponding faces of the said mandrel.
3. Machine according to any one of the Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the said means for wrapping the said series of sections round the mandrel include a mobile gear (58) comprising tilting arms (60, 61).
4. Process for the fabrication of carton from a panel of sheet material, comprising a series of rectangular or square sections (1-8, 16) connected to each other by a first set of folding lines parallel to each other and a first set of lateral flaps (18.1-18.7) arranged on one side of the said series of sections and connected to the latter by a second set of folding lines perpendicular to the said first set of folding lines and designed to form, at least partially, the bottom of the said carton, the said process entailing the use of a machine according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that :

   - the panel (F1) is brought close to the mandrel (23) so that its section (3) is placed at least approximately opposite the supporting face (25) of the mandrel, the section (3) being separated from the supporting face (25) by a distance d;

   - the sections (2, 1) and the tongue (16), on the one hand, and the sections (4 to 8), on the other are folded, the said section (3) being applied to the supporting face (25) by the intermediary of the pressure plate (42) such that during the application of section, the sections (2,1) and the tongue (16), on the one hand, and the sections (4 to 8), on the other, are supported against the mandrel (23) which creates a lateral guidance effect and positions the section (3) exactly in relation to the supporting face (25)

   - the section (3) is pressed between the pressure plate (42) and the mandrel (23) such that the first set of folding lines (10, 11; 9, 12) of the section (3) are respectively superposed exactly on the folding edges (33, 34; 40, 35) of the mandrel;

   - when the plate (42) presses the section against the supporting face (25), the panel is wrapped round the mandrel, the sections (1, 5, 6, 7, 8) being applied respectively against the faces of the mandrel (31, 27, 28, 29, 30) and the tongue (16) being folded on to the face (30);

   - the flaps (18.1; 18.5) are folded round the edges of the front face (41) of the mandrel (23), then the flaps (18.3, 18.7) are folded round the edges of the front face (41) of the mandrel (23) such that the flaps (18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7) are joined together by gluing.
5. Process according to Claim 4, characterized in that the tongue (16) and the section (8) are joined together by gluing.

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