Patent attributes
A smart mandrel for use with a container forming machine to form a Bliss style container having one or more structural columns in a side or end of the container. In the preferred embodiment, the mandrel has a frame, a female profile mechanism having a female forming tool fixedly supported by the frame, a male profile mechanism having a male forming tool slidably supported by the frame, an engaging mechanism to hold a side blank against the female forming tool and an actuating mechanism that moves the male forming tool into engagement with the female forming tool to form a column in the side blank. A mandrel carriage moves the formed side blank into engagement with a Bliss style body blank to form the desired container. The engaging mechanism comprises one or more suction cups and the actuating mechanism is a linear actuator having a pneumatic cylinder.
