US 11,718,058 B2
Folding unit for folding cardboard blanks, folding apparatus comprising such folding unit and method for folding cardboard blanks
Harm van der Dong, Drachten (NL); and Erik Huizinga, Drachten (NL)
Assigned to Sparck Technologies B.V., Drachten (NL)
Filed by Sparck Technologies B.V., Drachten (NL)
Filed on Nov. 2, 2016, as Appl. No. 15/341,907.
Claims priority of application No. 102015123012 (DE), filed on Dec. 31, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2017/0190134 A1, Jul. 6, 2017
Int. Cl. B31B 50/26 (2017.01); B31B 50/52 (2017.01); B65B 7/20 (2006.01); B65B 7/26 (2006.01); B65D 5/18 (2006.01); B65D 5/42 (2006.01); B65D 5/66 (2006.01); B65B 43/26 (2006.01); B31B 100/00 (2017.01); B31B 50/34 (2017.01)
CPC B31B 50/52 (2017.08) [B31B 50/26 (2017.08); B31B 50/262 (2017.08); B65B 7/20 (2013.01); B65B 7/26 (2013.01); B65D 5/18 (2013.01); B65D 5/4266 (2013.01); B65D 5/66 (2013.01); B31B 50/34 (2017.08); B31B 2100/0024 (2017.08); B31B 2100/0026 (2017.08); B65B 43/265 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A folding unit to fold cardboard blanks having an end panel, a corner panel, a bottom panel, and a side panel, said folding unit comprising:
an end panel folding element actuable to pivot about a first axis of a first hinge;
a side panel folding element actuable to pivot about a second axis of a second hinge; and
a corner panel folding element, said corner panel folding element comprising a guiding plate, said guiding plate actuable to move independently of the end panel folding element, while the end panel folding element remains stationary, the guiding plate pivots about two different axes to place a straight edge of said guiding plate substantially parallel to said second axis such that said straight edge runs on or close to a crease line between the side panel and the bottom panel and blocks the bottom panel from lifting up while the side panel is folded up, and to initiate folding the corner panel about an axis that is substantially parallel to said second axis,
wherein one of the at least two different axes is an axis of a third hinge running at an angle of about 0° to 60° with respect to said first axis.