Cartoning machine

Abstract

A tissue handling apparatus is disclosed for receiving tissue clips and transferring the clips into positions suitable for insertion selectively into flat or cubic tissue cartons. The apparatus comprises a plurality of movable buckets for transferring clips for flat and cubic tissue cartons, the buckets having substantially flat bucket floors. A folding knife and transfer guide co-operate in bending clips for cubic cartons.

1 . A tissue handling apparatus arranged to receive tissue clips and to transfer the clips into positions suitable for insertion selectively into flat or cubic tissue cartons, the apparatus comprising a plurality of movable buckets arranged to transfer clips for flat and cubic tissue cartons, the buckets having substantially flat bucket floors.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a turning unit configured selectively to turn tissue clips for insertion respectively into flat or cubic tissue cartons.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein tissue clips for insertion into flat cartons are rotated through approximately 90° with respect to tissue clips for insertion into cubic cartons.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the turning unit comprises a pusher which is arranged to push against one side only of a tissue clip.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each bucket includes an upright member about which a tissue clip can be turned.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the upright member comprises a rounded wall.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the position of the upright member on the bucket is adjustable.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a transfer guide which guides a tissue clip as it is transferred into a carton.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the transfer guide is shaped so as to assist in the bending of a clip for a cubic carton.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the transfer guide has at least one of: side walls which slope outwards; side walls with rounded tops; and side walls which increase in height in the direction of transfer of a clip into a carton.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the height of the side walls is substantially the same as that of the bucket floors at the ends of the side walls adjacent the buckets.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the transfer guide is shaped to assist in bending clips having at least some tissues which are substantially flat before the clip enters the transfer guide.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein a plurality of transfer guides are provided each of which moves in synchronism with a bucket.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising a folding knife, wherein the folding knife and the transfer guide are arranged co-operate in bending clips for cubic cartons.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a folding knife which at least partially bends at least some tissues in clips for cubic cartons while the clips are on the flat bucket floors.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a compression plate which compresses clips for flat cartons.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the compression plate has side walls.  
   
   
       18 . A method of transferring tissue clips into positions suitable for insertion selectively into flat or cubic tissue cartons, the method comprising transferring the tissue clips in a plurality of moving buckets, the buckets having substantially flat bucket floors.