Abstract:
A method of expanding and feeding cartons to a filling line; the cartons being made of sheet material, presenting four walls defined by preformed bend lines, and being expanded as of an initial flattened configuration wherein each carton is arranged in two superimposed, substantially contacting layers, each defined by two adjacent walls of the carton; each carton being expanded by rotating each wall of each layer about an arc of over 90.degree. in relation to the other wall of the same layer and into a configuration causing yielding of the bend lines; and by only permitting each carton to assume its final parallelepiped-section configuration inside the conveyor pocket of the filling line.
Abstract:
A carton transfer assembly having a rotary feeder that rotates a series of selectors about a transfer path between a carton feeder and a transport conveyor. The selectors each include vacuum engagement members adapted to engage a selected carton to remove the selected carton from the carton feeder and carry the carton toward a transport conveyor as the rotary feeder rotates the selectors about the transfer path. Each selector further includes stingers that are operated off of the vacuum applied to the cartons by the vacuum engagement members to move the stingers between extended and retracted positions. As the vacuum is applied to the stingers, the stingers are retracted. When the vacuum is disengaged, the stingers move to an extended position to engage and spread apart the panels of the cartons to open the cartons prior to the deposit of the cartons within the carton pockets of the transport conveyor.
Abstract:
A carton opening mechanism for use in opening knocked-down cartons has a carton storage magazine which has a discharge opening. The mechanism has a first suction face which is circumferentially spaced 120 degrees from the discharge opening of the magazine. The mechanism is mountable so as to locate the receiver compartment equidistant from the discharge opening and first suction face. A rotary transfer mechanism is mounted for rotation about the central axis and has a suction head formed with a transfer suction face. The transfer suction face is moves between, a first position in which it is directed toward the discharge opening and positioned to engage a wall of a carton blank located in the storage magazine and, a second position in which it is directed toward and disposed opposite the first suction face of a carton opening mechanism to press an opposite wall of the carton into engagement with the first suction face, and, a third position in which it is directed toward and disposed adjacent the entranceway of the receiver to deposit an open carton in a receiver compartment. The transfer mechanism then returns to the first position. A suction control mechanism is provided to generate a negative pressure at said transfer suction face when it is required.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method is described for aligning and joining individual blanks together along an overlapping portion thereof by a bonding agent. The individual blanks are conveyed within the apparatus, and at least a portion of one blank is displaced away from at least a portion of the other blank in order to allow the blanks to be arranged such that one blank is positioned overlapping the displaced portion of the other blank so that the blanks can be joined together by a bonding agent provided therebetween upon contact of the overlapping portions of the blanks.
Abstract:
A case opening and sealing apparatus comprises a magazine having a plurality of flattened case blanks stacked therein, a conveyor underlying the magazine, and a plurality of suction cups for opening each case into tubular form for subsequent filling. Each forward case blank in the magazine is precisely ejected into proximity with the suction cups for opening purposes by a shuttle mechanism which functions to sequentially (1) engage a lower edge of the case blank to initially prevent removal thereof from the magazine, (2) move the case blank upwardly to release the lower edge thereof from the magazine, and (3) push the case blank downwardly onto the conveyor and into close proximity with the suction cups which function to open the case into tubular form.
Abstract:
A lightweight container having a readily removable corrugated sidewall. The inner ply of the sidewall is a corrugated sheet having a selected length and width. A bottom wall member is positioned adjacent the lower axial edge of the inner sheet. A flat outer sheet, of selected length and a width greater than the width of the corrugated inner sheet, is joined to the inner sheet to define the outer ply of the sidewall. The outer sheet projects beyond the lower edge of the inner sheet and is folded against and secured to the bottom wall member, to thereby restrain movement of the bottom wall member. A frangible joint is defined along which the sidewall can be severed from the bottom wall without severing the corrugated inner wall, so that the inner wall adds rigidity without interfering with the ready removal of the sidewall. In the preferred arrangement, the adjacent ends of the inner sheet are in a substantially abutting and unsealed relationship to assist in the opening of the container. A portion of the outer sheet also forms pull-tab means which facilitates the removal of the sidewall from the bottom wall. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the engaged portions of the sheets and bottom wall member are coated with a heat sensitive coating which is self-adhering upon the application of heat in a selected temperature.
Abstract:
An apparatus for erecting flattened carton tubes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hopper holding flattened carton tubes and a conveyor for receiving erected tubes transferred thereto by vacuum pick-off and transfer means moving in a predetermined path between the hopper and the conveyor. The air pressure is supplied through stationary plenum means.
Abstract:
A single folded carton or box is removed from a magazine and is held by suction cups or the like at one side while being moved into contact with a fixed member which exerts an opening force on the folded box. When thus erected, the box is placed onto a moving conveyor belt for further use. The removal, opening and placement on the conveyor are executed in a substantially single sweeping motion of a transport arm which is moved by a system of articulated levers. After placement of the box on the conveyor, the levers retract the arm and return it to its starting position.