Parallel box front flap folding mechanism - has parallelogram linkage with lower member raised by incoming box

摘要

The boxes are delivered on a supporting surface with a parallelogram linkage above it, the latter comprising a top fixed cross-member, a lower moving one, and two bars, normally vertical, joining them. The lower end of a pendulum arm is attached to the lower member at the inlet end, and a rigid bar is attached between the top member and the pendulum arm. Dimensions of the normally vertical bars of the parallelogram linkage and of the rigid bar are such that the lower member remains constantly at a height above the supporting surface slightly less than that of the box end wall and the pendulum arm is held in a direction extending upwards towards the outlet end of the surface. Thus the thrust froma box against the inlet end of the lower member lifts the latter to a height slightly greater than the box end wall height, and simultaneously tilts the arm into a direction extending upwards and towards the surface inlet end.