Method and system for processing blanks for forming constructs
AssigneeGraphic Packaging International, Inc.
InventorMark Cordova
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of processing a blank for forming a construct includes obtaining the blank, the blank including a flexible material and is for being formed into a construct. The method also includes moving the blank in a downstream direction on a first guide and a second guide, and pressing an interior region of the blank with a shaping apparatus in a direction transverse to the machine direction as the blank moves in the downstream direction and as a peripheral region of the blank is engaged by at least one shaping bracket.
Claims44
A method of processing a blank for forming a construct, the method comprising:
- obtaining the blank, the blank comprising a flexible material and is for being formed into a construct;
- moving the blank in a downstream direction on a first guide and a second guide;
- and
- pressing an interior region of the blank with a shaping apparatus in a first direction transverse to the downstream direction as the blank moves in the downstream direction to cause the peripheral region of the blank to move in a second direction transverse to the downstream direction into engagement with at least one shaping bracket, the first direction is opposite the second direction, the at least one shaping bracket extending at least partially away from the first guide and the second guide in the first direction.
A system for processing a blank comprising a flexible material, the system comprising:
- a first guide and a second guide at least partially supporting the blank and extending along a machine direction from an upstream end of the system to a downstream end of the system;
- a shaping apparatus coupled to a support, the shaping apparatus is movable along the support in a first direction transverse to the machine direction to press an interior region of the blank;
- and
- a shaping bracket mounted to at least one of the first guide and the second guide for engaging a peripheral region of the blank as the blank is pressed by the shaping apparatus,
- the shaping apparatus is movable along the support in the first direction transverse to the machine direction for pressing the interior region of the blank in the first direction transverse to the machine direction to cause the peripheral region of the blank to move in a second direction transverse to the machine direction into engagement with the shaping bracket, the first direction is opposite the second direction, the shaping bracket extending at least partially away from the first guide and the second guide in the first direction.
A forming system for forming a construct from a blank comprising a flexible material, the forming system comprising:
- a blank feeder for positioning the blank on a first guide and a second guide, the first guide and the second guide extending in a downstream direction;
- a shaping apparatus downstream from the blank feeder and coupled to a support, the shaping apparatus is movable along the support in a first direction transverse to the downstream direction for pressing an interior region of the blank;
- a shaping bracket mounted to at least one of the first guide and the second guide for engaging a peripheral region of the blank as the blank is pressed by the shaping apparatus;
- and
- a press-forming apparatus positioned downstream from the shaping apparatus and being for forming the construct from the blank,
- the shaping apparatus is movable along the support in the first direction transverse to the downstream direction for pressing the interior region of the blank in the first direction transverse to the downstream direction to cause the peripheral region of the blank to move in a second direction transverse to the downstream direction into engagement with the shaping bracket, the first direction is opposite the second direction, the shaping bracket extends at least partially away from the first guide and the second guide in the first direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.