Method and machine to form box parts

Abstract

A machine to form an end of a unit of a box from a flat box blank that includes two sides, a bottom, and, at each end, an end flap supporting a cantilevered sealing tab, and two side tabs supported by the two sides. A planar movable table receives the box blank and a planar folding table receives the end flap and the sealing tab. A pair of side guides secures the two sides of the box blank and guide the box blank in its rearward travel. An end flap folding mechanism serves to fold the two side tabs attached to the box sides inward through ninety degrees to a position essentially parallel to the fold line. An adhesive applicator applies an adhesive ribbon in a predetermined pattern to the sealing tab and, sometimes, to the end flap. A drive mechanism folds the folding table from a position in which the plane of the folding table is in the plane of the movable table to a position in which the plane of the folding table is perpendicular to the plane of the movable table to fold the end flap through ninety degrees. A finger assembly consisting of a plurality of press fingers is disposed above and separated from the movable table. The press fingers have a planar bottom face and a planar back. The press fingers operate in pairs and are movable transversely to a position where the fingers of a pair are spaced from one another to another position wherein the press fingers of a pair are in close proximity to one another. Some of the finger assembly can be moved selectively transversely to accommodate various box widths.