Abstract:
Flat folded four-panel case is set up in a vertical takedown plane. The case is pulled out of the plane and manipulated to cause the four panels to move relative to each other so that the case assumes a diamond shape. The case is then partially erected. Next, one of the panels is held fixed (with the others being free to move) and a bottom flap is folded inwardly. This transmits forces to the panels so that the diamond shape changes to a square shape and the case is fully erected.
Abstract:
A machine for erecting a tubular carton from flat folded form to rectangular form open at both ends, partially closing one end of the carton while it is being manually or mechanically loaded at the other end, and advancing the box to a sealing machine which closes and seals the upper and lower end panels.
Abstract:
Apparatus for erecting flattened tubular cartons held in a hopper and depositing them on an endless conveyor which includes structure mounted for reciprocal movement between the hopper and conveyor and having vacuum transfer means for gripping a carton and plenum means at one end of the carton for opening the carton.
Abstract:
Moving tubing, such as of plastic film, is continuously gusseted in the longitudinal direction, by pulling apart opposed side sections of the tubing, at a local station by application of vacuum force selectively to the surface of the tube, leaving one or more section(s) of the tubing free of such vacuum force, and continuously inwardly tucking such free section(s) by means of gusset blade(s) or the like, or alternately by means of atmospheric force pressing inwardly on said free section(s). In species embodiments of the invention, the vacuum suction is applied by means of opposed perforate belts or rolls through which the vacuum is pulled, and which are operated at essentially the same rate of speed as the forward movement of the tubing.
Abstract:
An apparatus for erecting cases from flat blanks (20'). The apparatus includes a frame (42), a hopper (48), a vacuum arm (68), minor flap folders (80), major flap folders (90, 108), a case pusher bar (98), and a tape applicator (112). The frame includes a deck (54). The hopper is attached to the frame at an input end (144) of the frame. It includes guide members (58) to receive a stack of the flat blanks. The vacuum arm is attached near a feed end (124) of the hopper. The arm has vacuum suction cups (70) to pull the flat cases from the hopper into a tubular configuration against the deck. The trailing and leading minor flap folders are arranged and configured to fold the trailing and leading minor flaps, respectively, of a case after it has been pulled from the hopper. The top major flap folder is positioned above the deck near the feed end of the hopper. It folds the top major flap after a case has been pulled from the hopper. The bottom major flap folder is disposed beneath the deck. It is arranged and configured to rise partially above the deck to fold the bottom major flap. The case pusher bar advances a case out of the output end (46) of the frame. The tape applicator is disposed above the deck adjacent to the bottom major flap folder. It applies a strip of pressure sensitive tape (114) across the major flaps before the case is ejected.
Abstract:
A case opening apparatus that is part of a larger case loading and sealing machine which includes a loading bay for holding container blanks in vertical stacks, a means for removing the uppermost container blank from said stack and transferring it into an overhead rail system, and a case opening apparatus utilizing suction above and below the container blank. The case opening apparatus includes an arm that has dual pivots so that by two separate motions it opens and thereafter erects a container blank for subsequent loading and sealing in preparation for shipment.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided for erecting tubular carton blanks from a flattened to an open tubular state and includes two blank erection stations positioned sequentially along a conveyor for conveying a succession of blanks to the stations. In each station a suction head is attached to a blank and moves the blank through a cycle from a blank collection position, through a blank lifting phase, then through a blank erecting phase in which the blank is pressed against an abutment member into force the blank to an erected condition. When the suction head reaches a blank releasing position, suction head is returned. The suction heads are carried by a link arm driven in a parallel movement by cams via pivot arms.
Abstract:
A machine for erecting packing cases of a kind comprising two major and two minor sides and four base flaps foldable to form a base comprises supports for holding a folded flat case by its sides and for opening its sides to a rectangular form with the case at a first station, three sequentially operated flap folding elements arranged to fold three of the flaps into the base plane; and a traversable carriage having a guide arranged to engage the other flap as the carriage moves towards the case and to deflect that flap into the base plane in the required sequence.
Abstract:
Flattened cartons or containers stacked in a hopper of a packaging machine are successively removed from the hopper by an extractor including a vertically reciprocable suction-cup carrier engageable with the bottom section of the lowermost carton in the stack which initially is coplanar with an adjoining lateral section. The latter section, during the descent, comes to rest against a stationary ramp; the incipient erection of that lateral section by its engagement with the ramp is accelerated by a pair of swingable arms flanking the ramp, these arms being pivoted into a vertical position for area contact with the side of the passing carton. Possible malfunctions can be detected by a pressure sensor communicating with the suction line or by a photosensor in line with an area occupied by an end section of the carton in the unfolded position thereof.
Abstract:
An arrangement for the raising and transporting of packing container blanks is used in a packaging machine of the type which converts tubular packing container blanks to filled and sealed packing containers. The arrangement has a carrier plate which by a plurality of suction heads grips a flattened packing container blank situated in a magazine and transports the same to a conveyor (4). During the transport the packing container blank is converted with the help of stationary supports, situated in the path of movement of the blank, so that it obtains a substantially square cross-section.