US4008651A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for the formation of tubular containers from blanks
Assignee: John Waddington Ltd
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Filing: 1975-05-07
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Granted: 1977-02-22
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Expires: 1995-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A non cylindrical tubular container is formed from a blank creased to delineate contiguous hexagonal cells. The blank is provided with tabs at one edge which engage in slots in a mandrel having a pair of hexagonal ends between which extends a contoured surface that initiates folding of the blank about its creases. The blank is first partially wrapped around the stationary mandrel and glue is applied to the free end of the blank. Wrapping is completed by rotating the mandrel so that the ends of the blank overlap. The overlapped ends are pinched together by a presser bar that pushes the ends against the mandrel. The completed tubular container is then pulled off the mandrel by gripping one edge of the container and pulling it endwise away from the mandrel.
Inventors
- 👤 John Herbert Pain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:43
CPC Classifications
B; B31; B31C; B31C1/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S493/00; Y10S493/966; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1036; Y10T156/1038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of constructing a non-cylindrical tubular container from a blank creased to delineate cells, comprising the steps of 1. providing a mandrel having a non-cylindrical contoured surface conducive to initiating folding of the blank about its creases, 2. causing a first edge which is to extend lengthwise of the container to be held in fixed relationship on the mandrel, 3. wrapping the blank around the mandrel to cause the blank to fold about its creases and take a tubular shape, 4. causing a second lengthwise edge of the blank to overlap the first lengthwise edge of the blank, and 5. causing the overlapped edges to be joined together by pinching the overlapped edges together between a presser bar and the contoured surface of the mandrel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of constructing a non-cylindrical tubular container from a blank creased to delineate cells, comprising the steps of 1. providing a mandrel having a non-cylindrical contoured surface conducive to initiating folding of the blank about its creases, 2. causing a first edge which is to extend lengthwise of the container to be held in fixed relationship on the mandrel, 3. wrapping the blank around the mandrel to cause the blank to fold about its creases and take a tubular shape, 4. causing a second lengthwise edge of the blank to overlap the first lengthwise edge of the blank, and 5. causing the overlapped edges to be joined together by pinching the overlapped edges together between a presser bar and the contoured surface of the mandrel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 1 of constructing a tubular container from a creased blank wherein the step of wrapping the blank around the mandrel is accomplished partially by rotation of the mandrel and partially by wrapping the blank around the mandrel while the mandrel is stationary.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 2 of constructing a tubular container from a creased blank, further including the step of 6. applying glue to the second lengthwise edge during the wrapping step and while the mandrel is stationary.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
141 words
A machine for constructing a non-cylindrical tubular container from a blank creased to delineate cells and having tabs extending from one edge of the blank, comprising 1. a mandrel having a non-cylindrical contoured surface conductive to initiating folding of the blank about its creases, the mandrel having slot means for receiving the tabs of the blank, 2. support means for positioning the blank to enable the tabs of the blank to enter the slot means of the mandrel, 3. means for causing the blank to be wrapped around the mandrel to form a tube having overlapped edges extending lengthwise of the tube, 4. a presser bar spaced from and extending along the mandrel, and 5. means for moving the presser bar toward the mandrel whereby the overlapped edges are pinched between the presser bar and the contoured surface of the mandrel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
141 words
A machine for constructing a non-cylindrical tubular container from a blank creased to delineate cells and having tabs extending from one edge of the blank, comprising 1. a mandrel having a non-cylindrical contoured surface conductive to initiating folding of the blank about its creases, the mandrel having slot means for receiving the tabs of the blank, 2. support means for positioning the blank to enable the tabs of the blank to enter the slot means of the mandrel, 3. means for causing the blank to be wrapped around the mandrel to form a tube having overlapped edges extending lengthwise of the tube, 4. a presser bar spaced from and extending along the mandrel, and 5. means for moving the presser bar toward the mandrel whereby the overlapped edges are pinched between the presser bar and the contoured surface of the mandrel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A machine according to claim 4 for constructing a noncylindrical tubular container, wherein the means for causing the blank to be wrapped around the mandrel includes means for causing the mandrel to rotate and wherein the machine further comprises 6. means for causing the mandrel to resume an initial position in which the slot means is positioned to receive the tabs of the blank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A machine according to claim 4, further including 6. a glue applicator, and 7. means for activating the glue applicator after the blank has been partially wrapped around the mandrel whereby glue is applied to one edge of the blank before completion of the wrapping operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A machine according to claim 6, wherein the glue applicator has a glue bar which is adapted to move up out of a glue bath to meet and contact the free edge of the blank while the blank is partially wrapped around the mandrel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
99 words
A machine according to claim 4 for constructing a tubular container from a blank creased to define contiguous hexagonal cells and portions of such cells whereby the completed tubular container has aligned hexagonal ends and the hexagonal cells intermediate the ends alternate between a position aligned with the end cells and a position displaced therefrom, wherein the non-cylindrical contoured surface of the mandrel includes end portions of hexagonal shape between which there extends a surface shaped to conform to the hexagonal cellular arrangement of the blank, and the conforming surface extending only part way around the hexagonal end portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A machine according to claim 8, wherein one of the hexagonal end portions has a separable section and the machine further includes means for pinching the formed tubular container against the separable section, and means for moving the separable section endwise away from the remainder of the mandrel whereby the tubular container is pulled off the mandrel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-22 | 1980-08-23 | 1981-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-22 | 1984-08-23 | 1985-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-22 | 1988-08-23 | 1989-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |