Machine and method for punching a box-shaped element or suchlike

Abstract

A machine for punching a box-shaped element (11) or the like, comprising at least one punch (12) and at least one counter-punch (15) opposite the punch (12), the punch (12) being provided with at least one puncher (13) and being able to translate in a direction (A1) towards or away from a substantially vertical side (14) of the box-shaped element (11), wherein during use this side (14) of the box-shaped element (11) is positioned between the punch (12) and the counter-punch (15), wherein the counter-punch (15) is configured to be inserted inside the box-shaped element (11) and to abut against an inner surface of this side (14), thereby holding the box-shaped element (11) in position on a work plane (17), and wherein the punch (12) translates in this direction (A1) towards the counter-punch (15), thereby perforating this side (14) with the puncher (13) and forming at least one through hole (18) therein.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine and method for punching box-shaped elements or the like (e.g., boxes).

[0002] The machine and method of the present invention particularly relate to producing at least one through hole on at least one side of a box-shaped element in a precise and repeatable manner, thereby enabling the subsequent insertion of a gripping element (e.g., a strip element, etc.) of the box-shaped element into the through hole.

[0003] The through-hole formed in the box can have any shape and size, so it can be a round hole, an elliptical hole, a slit, a polygonal hole, such as a square or a rectangle, etc. Background Technology

[0004] Different types of box-shaped elements or boxes exist, and it is desirable to apply at least one strip element to them to form a grip, handle, etc. The strip element can be, for example, a strip formed of a flexible material (e.g., fabric, such as cotton, etc.).

[0005] The known type of box element mentioned here as a non-restrictive example is the so-called wrapping box.

[0006] Parcel boxes typically consist of appropriately sized cardboard or similar material and appropriately shaped paper. The size of the cardboard depends on the one or more objects the parcel box must contain. The paper covers the box-shaped elements on the outside, and sometimes also on the inside. When both the inside and outside of the box-shaped body are covered, it is often referred to as a coupled cardboard box.

[0007] To produce parcel boxes with at least an outer paper covering, commercial machines are used that allow for the production of blank boxes from cardboard blanks, and then boxes with paper applied at least on the outside. This final stage of wrapping can be done in a so-called covering machine, the purpose of which is to cover the sides of the blank box and stuff any excess paper into the inside of the box.

[0008] If it is necessary or desirable to apply a strip element to the box-shaped element, such as on a parcel box, and that strip element is then used as a claw gripper, handle, etc., then it is necessary to form a through hole in one wall of the box-shaped element.

[0009] Through holes can be formed manually or by a punching machine; however, punching machines are often very complex because they require, for example, a device to move the box-shaped element, which is capable of moving the side of the box to be punched to a substantially horizontal position.

[0010] Known punching machines typically do not allow for the effective removal of debris or scrap generated from forming through holes, and they generally cannot guarantee optimal precision and repeatability in forming through holes.

[0011] Therefore, known punching machines may be complex, expensive, and cannot guarantee the accurate and repeatable formation of at least one through hole on at least one side of a box-shaped element.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need to improve punching machines and methods that can overcome at least one of the shortcomings of existing technologies.

[0013] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a punching machine for punching box-shaped elements or the like, which allows at least one through hole to be formed on at least one side of the box-shaped element in an automatic, precise and repeatable manner, and thus can be used, for example, for a series of box-shaped elements arriving successively at the machine. The through hole can have any shape and size.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a punching machine that allows through holes to be formed on a box-shaped element without requiring special positioning devices for the box-shaped element, such as devices for rotating or flipping the box-shaped element. Therefore, the punching machine particularly allows through holes to be formed on the vertical side of the box-shaped element.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a punching machine that, in addition to allowing the rapid, efficient and repeatable generation of at least one through hole on at least one side of a box-shaped element, can also effectively remove debris generated by forming the through hole.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a punching machine that is more compact and simpler in structure than punching machines known in the prior art.

[0017] Another objective is to improve a method for punching box-shaped elements or the like, which allows for the automatic, accurate, and repeatable formation of at least one through hole of any shape and size on at least one side of the box-shaped element.

[0018] The applicant has designed, tested and implemented the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to obtain these and other objects and advantages. Summary of the Invention

[0019] The invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other features of the invention or variations of the main inventive concept.

[0020] According to the above objectives, the punching machine of the present invention includes at least one punch and at least one opposing head opposite the punch. The punch is provided with at least one punch and is translatable in a direction toward or away from a substantially vertical side surface of a box-shaped element. During use, the side surface of the box-shaped element is positioned between the punch and the opposing head. The opposing head is configured to insert into the interior of the box-shaped element and abut against the inner surface of the side surface, thereby holding the box-shaped element in a position on a working plane. The punch translates toward the opposing head in the aforementioned direction, thereby perforating the side surface by the punch and forming at least one through hole therein.

[0021] Advantageously, this punching machine can automatically, precisely, and repeatably form at least one through hole on at least one side of a box-shaped element, thus enabling its use, for example, for a series of box-shaped elements arriving sequentially at the machine. The through hole can have any shape and size and is formed on the substantially vertical side of the box-shaped element, in the area where the box-shaped element needs to reach the machine, where the punch and the opposing head are positioned suitable for punching.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, the punch is capable of moving in a substantially vertical direction toward or away from the working plane.

[0023] The opposing head is capable of moving along a generally vertical direction toward and away from the box-shaped element. The box-shaped element may be provided with an open upper side to allow the opposing head to enter or exit.

[0024] In addition, the opposing head may be provided with a piston, which is configured to rest on the bottom of the box-shaped element.

[0025] The opposing head can be equipped with a tailstock, into which the punch is inserted when the punch forms a through hole in the side of the box-shaped element.

[0026] In some embodiments, the punching machine may include one or more centering devices, each equipped with at least one piston configured to reciprocate in a direction transverse to the forward direction of the box-shaped element on the working plane. The piston is configured to abut against a side of the box-shaped element parallel to the forward direction.

[0027] A working plane can be formed on the upper surface of a conveyor belt that automatically moves one or more box-shaped elements toward the punch.

[0028] The machine may also include a stop element configured to abut against the front side of the box-shaped element and capable of moving toward or away from the working plane by a suitable actuator, thereby blocking or not blocking the side.

[0029] The machine may also include at least one suction device fluidly connected to a chamber formed in the opposing head. The suction device is configured to aspirate portions of the box-shaped element that have been removed as a result of punching from the interior of the chamber and transfer them to another chamber for collection.

[0030] Another object of the present invention is a method for punching a box-shaped element or the like, the method comprising: placing the box-shaped element on a working plane such that at least one substantially vertical side of the box-shaped element is positioned against an opposing head inserted into the box-shaped element and configured to face the punch and hold the box-shaped element in a position on the working plane; translating the punch, which is provided with at least one punch, toward the side and toward the opposing head; and punching the side with the punch, resulting in at least one through hole in the side. Attached Figure Description

[0031] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments given as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] - Figure 1 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the punch and the opposing head of the punching machine according to the present invention;

[0033] - Figure 2 This is a side view of the punching machine according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional view of the box-shaped component;

[0035] -Figure 4a and Figure 4b These are the side view and front view of the steps for positioning the box-shaped component;

[0036] - Figures 5a and 5b are the side view and front view of another step in positioning the box-shaped element, respectively;

[0037] Figure 5c is a magnified view of the details of Figure 5b;

[0038] - Figures 6a and 6b are the side view and front view of the final step in positioning the box-shaped element, respectively.

[0039] - Figure 6c is a magnified view of the details of Figure 6b;

[0040] - Figure 7a , Figure 7b Figures 7c and 7d illustrate the punching sequence by way of example;

[0041] - Figure 8 This is a side view of a suction device suitable for removing punching debris.

[0042] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same common elements in the figures where possible. It will be understood that elements and features of one embodiment can be readily incorporated into other embodiments without further explanation. Detailed Implementation

[0043] We will now refer in detail to possible embodiments of the invention, one or more of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of illustration and should not be construed as limiting the invention. For example, one or more features shown or described, as long as they are part of one embodiment, may be changed or adopted in other embodiments, or associated with other embodiments, to produce another embodiment. It should be understood that the invention should include all such possible modifications and variations.

[0044] Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that this specification, in its application, is not limited to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components described in the following description using the accompanying drawings. This specification may provide other embodiments and may be obtained or implemented in a variety of other ways. We must also clarify that the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be considered limiting.

[0045] Refer to the accompanying drawings, and especially to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown in Figure 3, a machine 10 for punching a box-shaped element 11 or the like includes at least one punch 12 and at least one opposing head 15 opposite to the punch 12. The punch 12 is provided with at least one punch 13 and is translatable in a direction A1 toward or away from the substantially vertical side 14 of the box-shaped element 11.

[0046] The opposing head 15 is configured to insert into the box element 11 and abut against the inner surface of the side 14, thereby holding the box element 11 in a position on the working plane 17.

[0047] Side 14 is located between punch 12 and opposing head 15, and punch 12 is translated toward opposing head 15 in direction A1, thereby perforating side 14 by punch 13 and forming at least one through hole 18 therein, see Figure 3.

[0048] Therefore, the inner surface of side 14 contacts the opposing head 15, while the outer surface of side 14 is appropriately away from the punch 12. The punch 12 moves toward side 14 in direction A1 during punching, thereby perforating side 14.

[0049] The punch 12 can also move in direction A2, for example, substantially vertically toward or away from the working plane 17.

[0050] The opposing head 15 can move toward or away from the box element 11 in direction A3, for example, substantially vertically. The box element 11 may be provided with an open upper side 19, see FIG3, to allow the opposing head 15 to enter or leave, the opposing head 15 resting on the bottom 16 of the box element 11.

[0051] Specifically, the opposing head 15 may be provided with a piston 20, which rests on the bottom 16. The piston 20 may move relative to the opposing head 15 toward or away from the bottom 16 of the box-shaped element 11 in a direction A4 (e.g., substantially vertical).

[0052] The piston 20 includes a support base that allows the box element 11 to remain stationary during the punching operation. Preferably, the counterhead 15 is mechanically constrained to a support of the punch 12. The piston 20 moves specifically by falling in the direction A3 and rests on the bottom 16 of the box element 11. After the measurements of the box element 11 are entered, the height of the through hole 18 can be automatically calculated via the control panel 34.

[0053] The opposing head 15 is also provided with a tailstock 22 or a female die. When punching, the punch 13 of the punch 12 is positioned in the tailstock 22.

[0054] Tailstock 22 is in fluid communication with chamber 23, particularly the suction chamber, in which the portion 24 of the box-shaped element 11 removed from side 14 to form the through hole 18 thus essentially ends as a debris portion. A jet of compressed air ejected from a blower 25 located near tailstock 22 facilitates the complete separation of portion 24 from the box-shaped element 11. The portion 24 may indeed have stains of fresh glue, so the blower 25 helps to separate the portion 24 once the punch 13 has been punched.

[0055] The punch 12 is also equipped with a puller 26, the function of which will be explained when we describe the functional modes of the machine 10.

[0056] The working surface 17 on which the box-shaped element 11 rests can be, in particular, the upper surface of the conveyor belt 27, also see Figure 2 This allows the box-shaped element 11 to be positioned correctly relative to the punch 12 and the opposing head 15. The conveyor belt 27 can move the box-shaped element 11 resting on it, for example, in direction A5 (basically horizontal). Thus, direction A5 is the direction in which the box-shaped element 11 moves along the machine 10.

[0057] Machine 10 may include frame 28, and conveyor belt 27 is positioned within frame 28, as detailed below. Figure 2 .

[0058] For example, the conveyor belt 27 can be driven in direction A5 or the opposite direction by an electric motor 29 or other suitable drive system.

[0059] The box-shaped element 11 enters the machine through the inlet section 30, which may be equipped with lateral guides 31. The position of the lateral guides 31 along the machine can be adjusted by an adjusting device 46, which essentially adjusts the relative distances between the lateral guides 31 so that they perfectly adapt to the width of the box-shaped element 11, for example, see... Figure 4b .

[0060] Drive system 33 can be positioned on frame 28 and configured to allow the punch 12 and the opposing head 15 to be raised and lowered in direction A2. Drive system 33 can be, for example, a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electromechanical actuator that allows the punch 12 and the opposing head 15 to be raised or lowered along a guide (e.g., a vertical guide). It can also be configured that the punch 12 and the opposing head 15 are independent and driven differently in directions A2 and A3.

[0061] The control panel 34 can be positioned on the frame 28 and is equipped with buttons, a display, etc., which allows the operator to manage and control the punching operation.

[0062] In the punching area, machine 10 may include a pair of centering devices 35 configured to allow the box-shaped element 11 to be properly centered in the punching position and to be positioned correspondingly to the opposite sidewalls of the box-shaped element 11 (e.g., side 45 in FIG. 3). See also FIG. 6b and FIG. 6c. The centering devices 35 allow for complete adjustment of the position of the box-shaped element 11 relative to the punch 12, and thus precisely form the through hole 18. Therefore, side 45 is substantially parallel to the direction A5 of the box-shaped element 11's movement along machine 10.

[0063] The machine 10 may also include a stop element 36 located at the front, and the longitudinal position of the stop element 36, i.e., the position parallel to direction A5, can be adjusted by a slider 37, which is configured to reciprocate parallel to direction A5.

[0064] The machine 10 may also include a suction device 39 configured to suction portions 24 or scraps separated from the box-shaped element 11 and generated from the punching, and collect them in a chamber 40. The chamber 40 is provided with a baffle 41, the opening of which allows the discharge of scraps, i.e., debris portions 24, from the cutting or punching.

[0065] Chamber 40 is fluidly connected to suction device 39 (e.g., vacuum pump) via first conduit 42 and to chamber 23 formed within opposing head 15 via second conduit 43, see also Figure 1 .

[0066] The baffle 41 can be driven to open or close by a suitable actuator 44. Downstream of the baffle 41, a tank can be provided for collecting scrap from cutting or punching.

[0067] Advantageously, the box element 11 only performs translation in direction A5 from the inlet section 30 to the area where the punch 12 is located, so the box element 11 is ready to punch the substantially vertical side 14 without further movement of the box element 11, that is, without rotating it, flipping it, etc.

[0068] To perform a punching operation on this machine 10, all measurement values ​​for the box-shaped element 11 to be punched can first be set on the control panel 34, and then the positions of the lateral guide 31 and the abutment element 36 can be set. The setting of the lateral guide 31 and the abutment element 36 is preferably done manually by the operator. Once the measurement values ​​for the box-shaped element 11 have been entered into the control panel 34, suggested measurement values ​​appear on the setting page, allowing the operator to manually move the abutment element 36 again via the slider 37, as shown in Figure 4a. A metric scale is located near the slider 37.

[0069] Alternatively, these settings can be automated by machine 10.

[0070] The punch 12 automatically moves to a predetermined height relative to the upper edge of the box-shaped element 11 or relative to the conveyor belt 27. The conveyor belt 27 begins to move in direction A5, as shown in Figures 4a and 4b. Figure 4b .

[0071] The box-shaped element 11 is placed manually or by automated machinery into the inlet section 30 of the machine 10. The inlet section 30 may be provided with an inclined plane 47 having a suitable inclination toward the conveyor belt 27 and facilitating the entry of the box-shaped element 11.

[0072] The conveyor belt 27 drags the box-shaped element 11 in the designated direction A5. When the box-shaped element 11 intersects the axis V, as shown in Figure 5a, the abutment element 36 moves toward the conveyor belt 27 via the corresponding actuator 48 to block the incoming box-shaped element 11.

[0073] Specifically, the front side 49 of the box-shaped element 11 will abut against the abutment element 36, as shown in Figures 5b and 5c. For example, the actuator 48 can be commanded to determine the withdrawal of the abutment element 36 by means of a phototube or the like, which detects when the box-shaped element 11 reaches the axis V.

[0074] The longitudinal position of the abutment element 36 is determined manually or automatically via the control panel 34, which indicates its value based on the dimensions of the inserted box element 11, and the operator will be able to manually adjust the longitudinal position of the abutment element using a metric ruler or similar means.

[0075] Then, the box-shaped element 11 advances in direction A5 until it is stopped by the abutment element 36. The longitudinal position of the abutment element 36 is determined such that the portions opposite to it are exposed above the intercepting axis V of the box-shaped element 11, or the box-shaped element 11 extends completely beyond the axis V, as shown in Figures 5a and 5b.

[0076] In other words, when the front side 49 of the box-shaped element 11 abuts against the abutting element 36, the rear side of the box-shaped element will expose the intercepting axis V.

[0077] Basically, in the extended position, the abutment element 36 blocks the box-shaped element 11, especially blocking the front side 49, while in the retracted position, the abutment element 36 does not block the box-shaped element 11.

[0078] The provided interceptor phototube is not covered, and the vertical side 14 of the box is approximately centered between the punch 12 and the opposing head 15.

[0079] The punch 12 and the opposing head 15 descend in direction A2 to a punching position automatically determined by the control panel 34 based on measurements from the box element 11, and the piston 20 remains on the bottom 16, see Figures 6a and 6b. A through hole 18 can be formed at any height.

[0080] When the punch 12 reaches the punching position, the abutment element 36 moves backward, and the inside of the box-shaped element 11 dragged by the conveyor belt 27 abuts against the opposing head 15, especially the inner surface of the side 14 to be punched abuts against the opposing head 15.

[0081] At this point, the centering device 35 begins to operate. For example, referring to Figure 6c, the centering device 35 includes a piston 50, the position of which can be adjusted by a corresponding actuator 38. The piston 50 of each of the two centering devices 35 can act on the side 45 of the box-shaped element to completely center the box-shaped element 11 at the desired punching position.

[0082] Basically, the piston 50 of the centering device 35 reciprocates in a direction transverse to the punch 12 in direction A1. These pistons 50 also reciprocate transversely in direction A5.

[0083] Piston 50 can be associated with elastic device 32, which allows piston 50 to retract. The operator can adjust the sharpness of piston 50 on side 45 by positioning lateral guide 31. When setting up machine 10, after manually advancing piston 50 using the appropriate keys on control panel 34, the operator adjusts lateral guide 31 so that the box can slide with minimal clearance.

[0084] At this point, the conveyor belt 27 stops. The box-shaped element 11 and the punch 12 are in the correct positions for performing the punching, for example, see [reference needed]. Figure 7a , Figure 7b The operation sequences in Figures 7c and 7d.

[0085] The punch 12 translates toward the opposing head 15 in direction A1, thereby punching a hole in the side 14 of the box-shaped element 11. Once a through hole 18 has been formed in the side 14, the punch 12 translates away from the opposing head 15 in direction A1. Then, both the punch 12 and the opposing head 15 rise in direction A2.

[0086] Before the punch 12 rises, the conveyor belt 27 moves slightly backward in direction A5, as shown in FIG7c, so that the side 14 of the box element 11 does not remain adhered to the opposing head 15. Once this slight backward movement has been made, the punch 12 rises to its initial position, and the conveyor belt 27 resumes forward movement in direction A5, see FIG7d.

[0087] As mentioned above, see Figure 1 The punch 12 is equipped with a puller 26. The box-shaped element 11 can be made of cardboard with an additional layer of adhesive paper, so the side 14 to be punched also has glue. During punching, the glue may not be completely dry, so it may tend to stick the punch 13 to the through hole 18.

[0088] To prevent the punch 13 from dragging the box-shaped element 11 during its backward return, a puller 26 is provided. The puller 26 includes a plate surrounding the punch 13 and is held in the forward position by a pair of actuators that are always under pressure within the punch 12.

[0089] Therefore, in essence, the puller 26 can translate forward or backward and thus toward or away from the side 14, and thus perform a translational movement relative to the punch 13.

[0090] As the punch 12 advances to form the through hole 18, the puller 26 abuts against the cartridge element 11, and thus against the outer surface of the side 14, applying pressure to it in the punching area. A pressure regulator for the puller 26 may be present to optimize the force it generates, so as not to damage the paper lining of the cartridge element 11. During the retraction of the punch 12, the puller 26 holds the cartridge element 11 stationary on the opposing head 15 due to the continuous and constant pressure. In this way, even if there is some adhesion between the punch and the cartridge, the cartridge element 11 will not be dragged backward by the punch 13, and therefore will not be dragged backward by the backward movement of the punch 12. When the punch 12 has moved completely backward, neither the punch 13 nor the puller 26 is in contact with the cartridge element 11.

[0091] As shown in the figure, after punching, scrap or debris is generated from the box-shaped element 11, see, for example, debris 24. The scrap is sucked out from the chamber 23 formed in the opposing head 15 by the suction device 39.

[0092] There are essentially two problems with the extraction of scrap: the portion 24 is usually very small and has stains of fresh glue, which tends to keep it attached to the punch 13; in addition, the portion 24 cannot be stored in the extraction chamber 23. After storing some scrap, the chamber 23 will be full and will no longer allow the operation of the machine 10 to proceed.

[0093] To overcome the first problem, a jet of compressed air, ejected by a blower 25, is introduced into the suction chamber 23, with the blower 25 positioned near the upper part of the punch 13 when the punch 13 is in the tailstock 22. This blowing separates the portion 24 from the punch 13 and also aids the suction device 39.

[0094] The second problem is solved by using a suction device 39 to precisely bring the portion 24, which is gradually separated from the box-shaped element 11 processed in the machine 10, to the outside.

[0095] To prevent portion 24 from undesirably entering the filter of the suction device (e.g., a vacuum pump), chamber 40 is placed under vacuum, and conduit 43 extends into chamber 40 to a certain depth, as shown by the dashed line at end 21 of conduit 43. In this way, portion 24, drawn from the opposing head 15 into conduit 43 and thus into chamber 40, cannot move upwards in the opposite direction toward conduit 42, which extends from suction device 39 into chamber 40 and creates a vacuum within chamber 40.

[0096] For example, the machine 10 can be programmed such that when the portion 24 deposited in the chamber 40 reaches the end 21 or slightly below the height, the actuator 44 opens the baffle 41 and allows the debris portion 24 to be discharged.

[0097] It is easy to understand that the punch 13 can have any shape and size depending on the shape of the through hole 18 to be formed, so it can be polygonal, such as rectangular, square or other, circular or elliptical or similar shape, etc.

[0098] It is obvious that modifications and / or additions can be made to the punching machine and method as described above without departing from the scope and range of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0099] It is equally clear that, although the invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, those skilled in the art will certainly be able to implement many other equivalent forms of punching machines and methods that have the features described in the claims and are therefore within the scope of protection defined therein.

[0100] In the appended claims, the reference numerals enclosed in parentheses serve only for readability: they shall not be regarded as limiting factors on the field claimed in the particular claims.

Claims

1. A machine for punching box-shaped components (11), characterized in that, The machine includes at least one punch (12) and at least one opposing head (15) opposite the punch (12), the at least one punch (12) being provided with at least one punch (13) and being translatable in a direction (A1) toward or away from a substantially vertical side (14) of the box-shaped element (11), wherein during use the side (14) of the box-shaped element (11) is configured to be positioned between the punch (12) and the opposing head (15), wherein the opposing head (15) is configured to be inserted into the box-shaped element. The inner surface of the element (11) and the inner surface of the side (14) are abutted to hold the box element (11) in a position on the working plane (17), wherein the punch (12) is configured to translate toward the opposing head (15) in the direction (A1) to pierce the side (14) by the punch (13) and form at least one through hole (18) therein, wherein the opposing head (15) is provided with a piston, the piston being configured to rest on the bottom (16) of the box element (11).

2. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The punch (12) is capable of moving in a generally vertical direction toward or away from the working plane (17).

3. The machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The opposing head (15) is movable toward and away from the box-shaped element (11) in the generally vertical direction, wherein the box-shaped element (11) is provided with an open upper side (19) to allow the opposing head (15) to enter or leave.

4. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opposing head (15) is provided with a tailstock (22). When the punch (12) forms the through hole (18), the punch (13) is inserted into the tailstock (22).

5. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The machine includes one or more centering devices (35) having at least one piston configured to reciprocate in a direction transverse to the forward direction (A5) of the box element (11) on the working plane (17), the piston being configured to abut against a side of the box element (11) oriented parallel to the forward direction (A5).

6. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The working plane (17) is formed on the upper surface of the conveyor belt (27), which automatically moves one or more box-shaped elements (11) toward the punch (12).

7. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The machine includes abutting element (36) configured to abut against the front side (49) of the box-shaped element (11) and movable toward or away from the working plane (17) by a suitable actuator (48) to block or not block the front side (49).

8. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The machine includes at least one suction device (39) fluidly connected to a chamber (23) formed in the opposing head (15), the suction device (39) being configured to suction from the interior of the chamber (23) a portion (24) of the box-shaped element (11) that has been removed as a result of punching, and to transfer it to another chamber (40) for collection.

9. A method for punching a box-shaped element (11), the method comprising: A box-shaped element (11) is positioned on a working plane (17) such that at least one substantially vertical side (14) of the box-shaped element (11) is positioned against an opposing head (15), the opposing head (15) being inserted into the box-shaped element (11) and configured to be opposite to a punch (12), and holding the box-shaped element (11) in a position on the working plane (17); the punch (12), which is provided with at least one punch (13), is translated toward the side (14) and toward the opposing head (15), wherein the opposing head (15) is provided with a piston configured to rest on the bottom (16) of the box-shaped element (11); and the side (14) is perforated by the punch (13), resulting in at least one through hole (18) in the side (14).

Images