Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ROTARY SCORING APPARATUS
HAVING RETRACTABLE SCORING BLADE
This Application claims the benefit from the Provisional Patent Application
Serial No. 601033,754, filed March 7, 1996, and entitled ROTARY SCORING
APPARATUS HA~'ING RETRACTABLE SCORING BLADE, the te~çhine~ of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND QF THE INVENTION
1. Fieid of the Invention
The present lnvention relates to an improved scoring apparatus of the type used
in box making operations for the purpose of creating strategically located scores and
cuts in box blanks that define the folding lines and tabs of the finished boxes. More
particularly, the invention relates to an improved scoring apparatus having a selectively
retractable scoring blade that can be pivoted beIween an extended position and aretracted position during operation of the scoring aMaratus for permitting scoring and
cutting along any position of the box blanks.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventional box making operations generally involve the steps of cutting a box
blank from a sheet of corrugated paperboard7 scoring, cutting and/or slotting the box
blank at strategic locations to forrn the fold lines, flaps, and tabs of the fini.chfcl box, and
folding the box blank along the fold lines to form a finished box.
The scoring, cutting and slotting operations are typically perforrned in scoringand cutting apparatuses having adjacent, serially aligned scoring and cutting cylinders
or wheels rot~tably mounted on powered drive shafts. Scoring blades and cutting
blades are fixed to ~ rotating scoring and cutting cylinders for making scores and cuts
in the box blanks as the box blanks are fed through the rotating scoring and cutting
cylinders. Since the scoring blades and cutting blades rotate with the cutting cylinders,
they score, cut and/or slot the blanks during each revolution of the cutting cylinders to
create a series of spaced score lines and cuts used to form the fold lines. panels and
flaps of a finished box.
The scoring and cutting apparatuses of the type described above suffer from
several limitations that limit their utility. For example, the cutting blades and scoring
blades on prior art scoring and cutting apparatuses are typically fixed to their respective
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rotating cylinders. Thus, a slot or score line is made in the box blanks each and every
time the rotating cylinder completes a revolution. 'rhis limits the size of boxes that can
be formed using the scoring and cutting a,opa~lus because the maximum box blank
length which can be handled is deterrnined by the diarneter of the rotating cutting
cylinder. If it is desired to produce boxes that require greater spaces between the score
lines and/or cuts, a larger, more expensive rotating~ cylinder must be provided.Slotter wheel devices with adjustable slotter blades are known in the art. For
example, U.S. Patent No. 4,805,502 describes a slo~ter wheel device including a wheel-
supporting shaft having an eccentric axis permitting selective movement of the
supported slotting blades l:o a non-cutting position. However, to shift the slotting blades
to the non-cutting positiorL, it is necessary to stop the operation of the wheel, manipulate
the eccentric axis to alter the blade position, and then resume slotting operations. Thus,
the '502 device is incapable of positioning a slotting blade between a cutting position
and an idle, blank-clearing position during rotation of the slotting wheel and cannot
accornmodate oversized box blanks.
U.S. Patent Nos. .5,297,462 and 5,327,804. hereby incorporated by reference,
disclose slotter wheel mech:~ni~m.~ having dynamically retractable slotter blades that
allow the formation of boxes of various sizes. These patents provide greatly improved
box m~kin~ operations which allow the "skipping" of cutting during one or more
successive slotter wheel revolutions. With this configuration, blanks of virtual]y any
size may be readily slotted without stopping the slotter wheel device and without the
need for employing larger diameter slotter wheels.
Although the '462 and '804 patents provide selectively retractable slotter blades,
their scoring blades remain fixed. Therefore, although these devices can make slots
anywhere along the length of the box blanks, they can place score lines for folding the
boxes only at fixed locations.
Accordingly~ there is a need for an improved rotary scoring apparatus that
perrnits selective positioning of the scoring blades du~ing rotation of the scoring
cylinder so that blanks of virtually any length can be formed with standard sized scoring
machines. There is also a need for an improved scoring d,Opal~lLll:i that performs the
above-described features yet is relatively simple and inexpensive to construct.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides a
greatly improved scoring al,pa,dtus for box making operations. Particularly, the
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scoring app~a~-lS of the present invention includes a selectively retractable scoring
blade that can be pivoted between an extended position and a retracted position during
operation of the scoring apparatus for permitting scoring along any position of the box
blanks. This allows selective control of the scoring and cutting operations during
operation of the apparatus so that blanks of virtuallv any size can be scored and formed
on a single scoring apparatus without the need to stop the rotating cylinder to readjust
the scoring blades.
The preferred scoring apparatus broadly includes an elongated rotatable cylinderpresenting an axial length and a peripheral margin, an elongated slot formed along the
peripheral margin ol'the cylinder and extending across the length of the cylinder, drive
means for rotating the cylinder, a scoring blade presenting an elongated scoring edge,
coupling means for operably coupling the scoring blade in the slot, and scoring blade
shifting structure operably coupled with the coupling means for selectively pivoting the
scoring blade during rotation of the cylinder between an extended scoring position and
a retracted, non-scoring position. When the scoring blade is pivoted to its extended
scoring position, its scoring edge is located outboard of the cylinder peripheral margin
for scoring the box blanks. Conversely, when the scoring blade is pivoted to itsretracted, blank-clearing position, its scoring edge is located inboard of the cylinder
peripheral margin for passing the box blanks without cutting the box blanks.
In plc~r~,lled forms, the coupling means includes an elongated cylindrical bladeshaft pivotally mounted ~ithin the elongated slot of the cylinder. The scoring blade is
coupled with the shaft so that when the shaft is pivoted in one direction v~ithin the slot,
the scoring edge is plvoted out of the slot, and when the shaft is pivoted in an opposite
direction within the slot, the scoring edge is pivoted back into the slot.
The scoring blade shifting structure preferably includes a toggle arrn operably
coupled with one end of-the blade shaft for pivoting the shaft and the blade between
their extçn-ie~l and retracted positions during rotation of the cylinder, an actuating
assembly for actll~ting or toggling the toggle a~ between toggled and untoggled
positions, and a spring assembly for alternately hiasing the toggle arm towards its
toggled and untoggled positions. When in the toggled position~ the toggling a~n pivots
the shaft and the blade to their extended positions f'or exposing the blade cutting edge
of the scoring blade. ('onversely, when in the untoggled position, the toggling
assembly pivots the shafl and the blade to their retracted positions for retracting the
blade cutting edge into the elongated slot of the cylinder.
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By construchng a scoring apparatus as described above, numerous advantages
are realized. For example, by constructing a scoring apparatus having selectively
retractable scoring blades, box blanks of nearly any length can be scored, and the scores
can be placed anywhere along the length of the box blanks without employing a
plurality of different sized cylinder and without stopping the rotation of the cylinder for
adjusting the position of the score blades.
Additionally, by coupling the scoring blade to an elongated cylindrical blade
shaft that is pivotally mounted within the slot of the cylinder, the scoring blade can be
selectively extended or retracted by merely pivoting the shaft within the slot. This
construction is simple yet effective.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION C)F THE DRAWING FIGURES
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below
with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a front, frztg~tPnte-l elevational view of a scoring apparatus constructed
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the mvention with parts broken away;
Fig. 2 is a fragmented top plan view of the scoring a ~pc~alus;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the scoring apparatus taken along line 3-3 of Fig.1 illustrating the scoring al)p~dlus operating on a hox blank;
Fig. 4 is an end elevational view ofthe scoring aplJdldlus showing the scoring
blade in its exten-le~l scoring position;
Fig. S is a fraemf ~1-ed end elevational view of the scoring apparatus showing the
scoring blade in its retracted, blank-clearing position;
Fig. 6 is a fragmented sectional view of the scoring apparatus showing the
scoring blade and blade coupling structure in the retracted, blank-clearing position;
Fig. 7 is a fragmented sectional view of the scoring al)~a~ s showing the
scoring blade and blade coupling structure in the extended, scoring position;
Fig. 8 is a fragmented sectional view of the ap~a~ s showing a cutting blade
coupled with the scoring blade in the extçr ~le~l scoring position;
Fig. 9 is a plan vie~;v of a book-type box blank illustrating the plztrerrtent of score
lines along the length of the box;
Fig. 10 is a plan view of traditional-type box blank illustrating the placement of
score lines along the leng~h of the box;
Fig. 11 is a fragmented end elevational view of a sconng apparatus constructed
in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention;
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Fig. 12 is a fragmented, front elevational view of the scoring apparatus
illustrated in Fig. l l with parts broken away;
Fig. 13 is a fragmented end view of the sco1ing apparatus of Fig. 11 illustrating
the second scoring blade in its extended, scoring position;
Fig. 14 is a fr~gmented sectional view of the scoring apparatus taken along line14-14 of Fig. 1 1 illustrating the second scoring blade in its extended, scoring position;
Fig. 15 is a ~gmented sectional view of the scoring apparatus taken along line
1 5-1 5 of Fig. 1 1 ;
Fig. 16 is a i'ragmented sectional view of the scoring apparatus illu~ lhlg the
second scoring blade in its extended, scoring position; and
Fig. 17 is a ~'ragmented sectional view of the scoring apparatus illu~ ing the
second scoring blade in its retracted, blank-clearing position.
DETAILED DESCRIPT:[ON OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments of Figs. 1-10
Turning now to the drawing figures, and particularly Fig. 1, a rotary scoring
a~pa~ s 10 constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the
invention is illustrated. The scoring app~a~us 10 is operable f'or creating strategically
located transversely extending score lines 13,15 in box blanks ll such as those
illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10.
Returning to Fig. 1, the preferred scoring apparatus 10 broadly includes an
elongated rotatable cylinder 12, drive means generally referred to by the numeral 14 for
rotating the cylinder 12, an elongated scoring blade 16 presenting an elongated scoring
edge 18, blade coupling means generally referred to by the numeral 20 for operably
coupling the scoring blade 16 with the cylinder 12, and scoring blade shifting structure
generally referred t(! by the numeral 22 for selectively pivoting the scoring blade 16
during rotation of the cylinder 12 between extended and retracted positions. As
described in more detail below, when the scoring ~lade 16 is pivoted to its extended
position, its scoring edge ]. 8 is located outboard of the peripheral margin of the cylinder
12 for scoring box blanks passing thereunder. Conversely, when the scoring blade 16
is pivoted to its retracted position, its scoring edge 18 is located inboard of the
peripheral margin of the cylinder 12 for permitting boxes to pass thereunder without
being scored.
In more detail, the cylinder 12 includes an outer cylindrical sidewall 24
presenting an outer peripheral margin and a pair of circular endwalls 26 capping or
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closing the axial ends of the sidewa}l 24. The cylinder 12 is generally hollow along its
axial length and is preferably formed of metallic materials. The cylinder 12 can be
formed in various lengths and diameters for forming boxes of' various sizes.
As best illustrated in Figs. 6-8, the cylinder 12 includes an elongated slot 28
S extending across its axial length and along its outer peripheral margin. The slot 28 is
preferably generally rect~mgular in cross section.
An insert 30 is ~tt~ched within the slot 28 and preferably extends along the
entire length of the slot 28. The insert 30 is preferably forrned of synthetic resin
materials such as nylon and includes an elongated, cylindrical, open socket 32
e~tf n(ling across the length thereof. The socket 32 opens towards the pel;l)heldl margin
of the cylinder 12 and includes a first shoulder region 34 (see Fig. 7) exten-lin~
out~vardly at an angle frorn the socket 32 towards the peripheral margin of the cylinder
12 and a second shoulder region 36 (see Fig. 6) extending generally transversely from
the longitudinal axis of the cylinder towards the peripheral margin of the cylinder 12.
Returning to Fig. I, the drive means 14 includes a conventional rotatable drive
shaft 38 e~rtçn~ling through the center of the endwalls 26. The drive shaft 38 is rotated
by a conventional drive n-otor (not shown).
The scoring blade 16 is conventional in construction and presents a blunt or
dulled scoring edge 18. The scoring blade 16 prefèrably extends across the length of
the cylinder 12 but may also be formed in various other lengths for making score lines
ïn various sized boxes.
As best illustrated in Figs. 6-8, the blade coupling means 20 includes an
elongated, cylindrical blade shaft 40 pivotally positioned within the elongated socket
32. As illustrated in Fig. ], the ends of the shaft 40 extend slightly beyond the endwalls
26 of the cylinder 12. The shaft 40 is preferably metallic and includes an elongated
blade-receiving slot 42 extending along its length.
The non-scoring edge of the scoring blade ~ 6 is secured in the blade-receiving
slot 42 of the shaft 40 so that the scoring edge 18 extends radially from the shaft 40.
Thus, the scoring blade 16 is operably coupled with the shaft 40 so that when the shaft
40 pivots within the socket 32 of the insert 30, the scoring blade 16 pivots into and out
of the slot 28 forrned in the peripheral margin of the cylinder 12.
Particularly, when the blade shaft 40 is rotated in a clockwise direction as
viewed from Fig. 6, the scoring blade 16 is pivoted to a retracted, non-scoring position
wherein it rests against the first shoulder portion 34 and its scoring edge 18 is located
inboard of the cylinder 12 peripheral margin. This perrnits box blanks to pass the
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rotating cylinder 12 without being cut. Conversely, when the blade shaft 40 is rotated
in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from Figs. 7 and 8, the scoring blade 16 is
pivoted to its extended scoring position wherein it rests against the second shoulder
portion 36 and its scoring edge 18 is located outboard ofthe cylinder 12 peripheral
margin for scoring the box blanks.
The p,eîe.l~d scoring apparatus 10 may aiso include one or more cutting blades
44 each prP~.,~ g a cutting edge 46. The cutting blades 44 are positioned adjacent the
scoring blade 16 in the blade-receiving slot 42 ofthe blade shaft 40 In preferred forms,
two cutting blades 44 are positioned at opposite ends of the blade shaft 40 for cutting
] 0 the end flaps of box blanks passing under the cylinder 12 as illustrated in Fig. 1. The
scoring and cutting blades 16,44 can be of various lengths for making score lines or cuts
- in various sized boxes and may be moved aiong the axial length of the blade shaft 40 for
- making cuts at any position on the box blanlcs.
The blade shifting structure 22 is operably coupled with the blade shaft 40 for
pivoting the blade shaft 40 and scoring blade 16 during rotation of the cylinder 12
between their extended, scoring position illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 and their retracted,
non-scoring position illustrated in Figs. 6. As best illustrated in Fig. 3, the p~e~,led
blade shifting structure 22 includes a toggle arm 48 operably coupled with one end of
the blade shaPl 40 for pivoting the shaft 40 and the blade 16 between their extended and
retracted positions during rotation of the cylinder 12, an intermitant activating assembly
generally referred to by the numeral 50 for activating act-lating assemblies 30 for
actuating or toggling the toggle arm 48 between toggled and untoggled positions, and
a spring assembly generally referred to by the numeral 52 for alternately biasing the
toggie arm 48 between its toggled and untoggled positions. The actl~ting assembly 50
is intermitant in that it briefly comes into contact with the toggle arm 48.
The toggle arm 48 is secured to one end of the blade shaft 38 for pivotai
movement therewith. The toggle arm 48 includes an outwardly extending arnl 54
presenting a generally U-shaped recessed region 56 and an inwardly extending arrn 58
presenting a similar U-shaped recessed region 60.
The toggle arrn 48 is seleceively shiftable between toggled and untoggled
positions. When in the toggled position, the toggle arrn 48 pivots the blade shaft 40 and
the scoring blade 16 to their extended, scoring positions for exposing the scoring edge
18 of the scoring blade 16 as depicted in Fig. 4. Conversely, when in the untoggled
position~ the toggle arm 48 pivots the blade shaft 40 and the blade 16 to their retracted
'.5 positions for retractin~ the scoring edge 18 of the scoring blade 16 as depicted in Fig.
5.
A~ r~
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The actuating assembly 50 shifts the tog~le arrn 48 during rotation of the
scoring cylinder 12 hetween its toggled and untoggled positions.
As illustrated in Fig. 3, the preferred ~c~l~ting assembly 50 is positioned on the
same end of the cylinder 12 as the toggle arm 48 and includes a pair of first and second
actuating elements 62,64. The actuating elements 62,64 are preferably conventional
shiftable rods or shafts fixed adjacent the cylinder 12.
The first actuating element 62 is positioned outboard of the peripheral margin
of the cylinder 12 and is radially shiftable with respect to the cylinder 12 between an
inner, toggle arrn-eng~ing position depicted by the solid lines and an outer, non-
eng~in~ position depicted by the dashed lines. When the first actuating element 62 is
shifted to its inner position, it engages the outwardly extending arrn 54 of the toggle
arm 48 for toggling the toggle arm 48 to its toggled position. As described above, this
pivots the blade shaft 40 and scoring blade 16 to their extended, cutting positions.
Conversely, when the first a~tl-~ting element 62 is shifted to its outer position, it allows
the toggle arrn 48 to pass by without being toggled
The second actuating element 64 is positioned inboard of the peripheral margin
ofthe cylinder 12 and is radially shiftable with respect to the cylinder 12 between an
outer, toggle arrn-e~g~ging position depicted by the dashed lines and an inner, non-
eng~ging position depicted by the solid lines. When the second act~1~tin~ element 64
is shifted to its outer position, it engages the inwardly exten-~ing arm 58 of the toggle
arrn 48 for toggling the toggle arm 48 to its untoggled position. As described above,
this pivots the blade shaft 40 and scoring blade 16 to their retracted, blank-clearing
positions. Conversely, when the second actuating element 64 is shifted to its inner
position, it allows the toggle arrn 48 to pass by without being toggled.
The first and second actuating elements 62,64 can be shifted between their innerand outer positions by any conventional shifting device such as a retractable cylinder.
In preferred forms, the shifting of the ~ctll~tin~ elements 62,64 is controlled by a
programmable controller device such as a PLC or computer for providing automaticcontrol of the placement o f the scoring blade 16 during rotation of the cylinder 12 for
accurately controlling the placement of the score lines and cuts on the box blanks.
The spring assembly 52 is operably coupled with the toggle arm 48 for
alternately biasing the toggle arm 48 to its toggled and untoggled positions after being
shifted to these positions by the actuating assembly ';0. In ~l~r~lled forms, the scoring
ap~a~a~lls 10 includes a pair of identical spring assemblies operably coupled with
opposite ends of the blade shaft 38.
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As best illustrated in Fig. 4, each spring assembly 52 in~ de~ a collar 68, a spring
mount 70, and a coiled compression spring 72. The collars 68 are attached to opposite
ends ofthe blade sha~ 40 for pivotal movement therewith. As illustrated in Figs. I and
5, each collar 68 includes a. pair of inwardly extending ear sections 74 each preserlting
a generally U-shaped recessed portion 76.
The spring mounts 70 are each positioned inboard of their respective colliars 68and are secured to support plates 78 mounted to the endwalls 26 ofthe cylinder 12. As
best illustrated in Fig. 1, the spring mounts 70 each include a pair of spaced-apart arms
80. The arms 80 include a pair of aligned pin-receiving slots for receiving a ret~ining pin
therein.
The compression springs 72 are conventional in construction and are coupled
between their I e~peclive collars 68 and spring mounts 70. Specifically, as best illustrated
in Fig. 5, one end of each col.lpression spring 72 is coupled to its I eJpc.,live collar 68
by a ret~ining pin 82 coupled in the U-shaped lecessed portions 76 ofthe collar's ear
sections 74. The other end of the co~ ression spring 72 is coupled to its respective
spring mount 70 by a lela~ g pin 84 inserted through the pin-receiving holes of the
spring mount 70.
The spring assembly 52 acts as an over center biasing mesh~nic"- that alternately
biases the blade shaft 40 and scoring blade 16 between their extended, scoring positions
depicted in Fig. 4 and their retracted, blank-clearing positions depicted in Fig. 5.
Specifically, once the toggle arrn 48 has been toggled to either the toggled or untoggled
position, the ear sections 74 ofthe collars 68 are positioned over the center point oftheir
travel. The compression spring 72 exerts an outward or compressive force on the collar
68 that prevents it from pivoting until the toggle arm 48 is acted on by the actuating
assembly 50. This prevents the scoring blade 16 from inadvertently shifting during
operation of the cylinder 12 so that it remains in the desired position until shifted by the
actuating assembly 50
As illustrated in Figs. 6-8, the scoring apparatus 10 also includes a lowermost
anvil wheel 86, which is cooperatively positioned relative to the rotating cylinder 12 to
present a blank receiving region therebetween. The anvil wheel 86 moves the box blanks
along a path of travel underneath the rotating cylinder 12 and supports the box blanks
during cutting and scoring operations.
,., . . , i
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OPERATION
In operation, the scoring apparatus 10 descrlbed herein makes score lines and
end cuts on box blanks similar to those illustrated in F~gs. 9 and 10 at selectively variable
locations along the blanks without stopping the rotation ofthe cylinder 12. For example,
if it is desired to make a score line or cut on every other revolution of the cylinder 12,
the first act~l~ting element 62 is shi~ed to its inner position as indicated in Fig. 3. This
causes the first ~ct.~ting element 62 to contact the outwardly extending ear sections 54
on the pivot arm 48 as the pivot ann 48 rotates past the first actuating elernent 62, thus
pivoting the pivot arm 48, blade sha~ 40, and scoring blade 16 to their extended, scoring
positions as depicted in Figs. 4,7 and 8.
Then, a~er the scoring blade 16 makes a score on the box blank, the first and
second act11~fln~ elements 62,64 are both shi~ed to their outermost positions as- indicated by the dashed lines in Fig. 3. This causes the second actuating element 64 to
contact the inwardly extending ear sections 58 ofthe pivot arm 48 as the pivot arm 48
rotates past the second rotating element 64 thus pivoting the pivot arrn 48, blade shaft
40, and scoring blade 16 to their retracted positions as depicted in Figs 5 and 6. Since
the cutting blade 44 and scoring blades 16 are retracted7 no cuts or score lines are
formed in the box blanks as they pass under the score cylinder 12. Subsequently, the
first and second actuating elements 62,64 can be reshi~ed to their innermost positions
for repivoting the blade shaR 40 and scoring blade 16 to their retracted positions.
Embodiments of Figs. 1 ', - 17
In a second prefèrred embodiment ofthe invention, the scoring apparatus 10 also
includes a second elongated scoring blade 88, blade mounting structure and coupling
means generally referred to by the numeral 92 for operably coupling the second scoring
blade 88 with the cylinder 12, and scoring blade shi~ing structure generally referred to
by the numeral 94 for selectively pivoting the second scoring blade 88 during rotation
of the cylinder 12 between extended and retracted positions. When the second scoring
blade 88 is pivoted away from the center of the cylinder into the extended position, its
3 0 scoring edge extends outwardly from the peripheral margin of the cylinder 12 for scoring
box blanks passing thereunder. Conversely, when the second scoring blade 88 is pivoted
towards the center of the cylinder into the retracted position, its scoring edge is nearly
flush with the peripheral margin of the cylinder 12 for permitting boxes to passthereunder without being scored.
3 5 In more detail, the second scoring blade ~8 preferably consists of an elongated
piano-type hinge assembly extending across the length of the cylinder along the
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peripheral margin of the cylinder 12. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge arm 96
fixed to the peripheral margin of the cylinder 12 and a second hinge arm 98 pivotally
attached to the first hinge arm 96 by an elongated hinge pin 100.
The first hinge arm 96 includes a plurality of lon~tuf~in~lly spaced, threaded bolt
S holes for receiving bolts 102 as de~ ,ibed in more detail below. The second hinge arm
98 presents a dull or blunted scoring edge 90 and pivots relative to the first hinge arm
96 between extended and retracted positions. An elongated stop 130 forrned of rubber
or other suitable material is positioned ~jaGent the second hinge arm 98 for limiting the
travel of the second hinge arm when it is in its extended position.
In the second embodiment of the invention the cylinder 12 include~ a plurality
of axially-spaced slots or grooves 104 e~tçn~ling around the pe-iphe,al margin of the
cylinder 12. Each groove 104 extends around the circu"~lence of the cylinder and- . presents a generally dovetail-shaped cross section (see Fig. 15) a series of circurnferen-
tially-spaced enlarged openings 106 (see Fig. 12).
The blade coupling means 92 incllldes a plurality of inserts 107 that are inserted
in the axially-spaced grooves 104 ofthe cylinder. The inserts 107 are preferably forrned
of synthetic resin materials such as nylon and present a generally dovetail-shaped cross
section. The inserts 107 are inserted in the enlalgcd oFlenings 106 of the dove-tail
grooves 104 and can be moved in the grooves 104 to di~-~ locations along the
peripheral margin ofthe cylinder 12.
Once the inserts 107 are positioned at their desired locations in the grooves 104
the bolts 102 are threaded through the bolt holes on the first hinge arrn 96 and into the
inserts for securing the second scoring blade 88 to the peripheral margin ofthe cylinder
12 as depicted in Fig. l S. The second scoring blade 88 can be moved anywhere along
the peripheral margin ofthe cylinder 12 by loosening t:he bolts 102 and repositioning the
inserts 107 ~rithin the grooves 104. The bolts 102 can then be re-tightened for re-
securing the second scoring blade 88 to the cylinder 12.
The scoring blade shifting structure 94 for the second scoring blade 88 includesa toggle arm 108 operably coupled with one end ofthe hinge pin 100 for pivoting the
hinge pin 100 and the second hinge arm 98 between their extended and retracted
positions during rotation oif the cylinder 12 and a spring assembly 110 for alternately
biasing the toggle arm 108 towards its toggled and un-toggled positions.
As best illustrated in Fig. 11 the toggle arm ïs secured to one end of the hingepin 100 for pivotal movement therewith and includes a pair of outwardly extending legs
114. The toggle arm 108 is selectively shiftable between toggled and untoggled
positions. When in the toggled position the toggle arm 108 pivots the hinge pin 100
11
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and the second hinge arrn 98 to their ext~n(le~l, scoring positions for exposing the
scoring edge 90 of the scoring blade 88 as depicted in Figs. 14 and 16. Conversely,
when in the untoggled position, the toggle arm 1()8 pivots the hinge pin 100 and the
second hinge arm 98 to their retracted positions for retracting the scoring edge 90 as
depicted in Fig. 17.
The toggle arm 108 is shifted between its toggled and un-toggled positions by
the actuating assembly S() described in the first embodiment of the invention above.
The spring assembly 110 is operably coupled with the toggle arm 108 and hinge
pin 100 for ~ltçrn~tely biasing the toggle arm ~08 to its toggled and un-toggledpositions after being shifted to these positions by the actuating assembly 50. In
,lefe"ed forms, the scoring apparatus 10 includes a pair of spring assemblies 110
operably coupled with opposite ends of the hinge pin 100.
As best illustrated in Fig. 13, each spring assembly 110 includes a collar 116,
a spring mount 118. and a leaf spring 120. The collars 116 are attached to opposite
ends of the hinge pin 100 for pivotal movement therewith and each includes an
outwardly extending ear section 122.
The spring mounts 118 are positioned adjac ent their respective collars 116 for
operably coupling the leaf springs 120 with the collars 116. Each spring mount 118
preferably includes a pair of spaced-apart rivets 124,126 or bolts secured to a support
plate 127 adjacent its respective collar 116.
Each leaf spring 120 is conventional in construction and ~lcsellls a raised central
apex region. One end of each leaf spring 120 is pivotally coupled with one of its rivets
124 and the other end extends over the other of its rivets 126 and freely slides thereover.
The spring assembly 110 acts as an over-center biasing mech~nicm that
alternately biases the toggle arm 108, hinge pin 100 and second hinge arm 98 bet~,veen
their extenf~Prl, scoring positions and their retracted, blank-clearing positions. Initially,
the ear sections 122 of the collars 116 are positioned on one side of the apex of the
springs 110. The leaf springs 120 provide a compressive or outward force on the collars
] 16 that prevent the collars 116 from rotating until the toggle arrn 108 is acted on by
the ~ctu~ting assembly 50. When the actuating assembly 50 shifts the toggle arm 108
during rotation of the cylinder 12, the ear sections 122 shift over the apexes of the leaf
springs 120. Thus, the spring assembly 110 biases the toggle arrn 108 to its last position
to prevent the second scoring blade 88 from inadvertently shifting during operation of
the cylinder 12. This insures that the scoring blade 88 remains in the desired position
until shifted by the actuating assembly 50.
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The second scoring blade 88 may operate independently or in conjunction with
the first scoring blade 16 clescribed in the first embodiment of the invention f'or making
score lines and end cuts on box blanks at selectively variable locations along the blanks
without stopping the rotat:ion of the cylinder 12.
Although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred
embodiment illustrated in the ~ çh~d drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may
be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the
invention as recited ~n the claims.
Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, what is
claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following:
