Apparatus, system, and method for erecting boxes
AssigneePacksize LLC
InventorsGeorge Davies, Clinton Engleman, Brady Sjoblom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for erecting a box includes positioning can unerected box in an automated erecting apparatus. The method further includes bending major and minor flaps on the unerected box relative to sides of the unerected box. The method further includes, while the major and minor flaps are bent relative to the sides of the unerected box, performing an automated opening operation on the unerected box, wherein the unerected box comprises a stacking fold.
Claims20
A system for erecting a box from an unerected box, the system comprising:
- an automated erecting apparatus comprising:
- a first folding arm configured to move in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a major surface of a sidewall of the unerected box to bend a first major flap and a first minor flap of the unerected box in a first direction;
- a second folding arm configured to move in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the major surface of the sidewall of the unerected box to bend a second major flap and a second minor flap of the unerected box in a second direction;
- and
- a suction panel configured to erect the unerected box while the first major flap, the second major flap, the first minor flap, and the second minor flap are bent,
- wherein bending the first major flap and the first minor flap or bending the second major flap and the second minor flaps is configured to limit or prevent the unerected box from bending or folding at a stacking fold in the unerected box.
An automated erecting apparatus for erecting a box from an unerected box, the unerected box having a plurality of sidewalls, a plurality of bottom flaps extending from the plurality of sidewalls, and a plurality of creases formed between the plurality of sidewalls and the plurality of bottom flaps, the apparatus comprising:
- a support surface having an edge, the support surface being configured to support the plurality of sidewalls of the unerected box and have the plurality of creases generally aligned with the edge of the support surface such that the plurality of bottom flaps extend beyond the edge of the support surface;
- a restraining bar configured to selectively move towards the unerected box to engage one or more panels of the plurality of sidewalls of the unerected box to secure the unerected box against the support surface and selectively move away from the unerected box to disengage the one or more panels;
- a folding arm configured to move in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a major surface of one of the sidewalls of the unerected box to bend at least one bottom flap of the plurality of bottom flaps relative to an associated sidewall;
- and
- an erector element configured to erect the unerected box while the at least one bottom flap is bent,
- wherein bending the at least one bottom flap is configured to limit or prevent the unerected box from bending or folding at a stacking fold in the unerected box.
An automated erecting apparatus for erecting a box from an unerected box, the unerected box having a plurality of sidewalls, a plurality of bottom flaps extending from the plurality of sidewalls, and a plurality of creases formed between the plurality of sidewalls and the plurality of bottom flaps, the apparatus comprising:
- a support surface having an edge, the support surface being configured to support the plurality of sidewalls of the unerected box and have the plurality of creases generally aligned with the edge of the support surface such that the plurality of bottom flaps extend beyond the edge of the support surface;
- a restraining element configured to engage one or more panels of the plurality of sidewalls of the unerected box to secure the unerected box against the support surface;
- a first folding arm configured to move in a first direction to partially bend a first bottom flap of the plurality of bottom flaps relative to an associated sidewall, the first folding arm being configured to move in a second, lateral direction to fold the first bottom flap to a ninety degree angle relative to the plurality of sidewalls of the unerected box, the second, lateral direction being generally perpendicular to the first direction;
- a second folding arm configured to move in a second direction to bend a second bottom flap of the plurality of bottom flaps relative to an associated sidewall;
- and
- an erector element configured to erect the unerected box while the first bottom flap or second bottom flap is bent,
- wherein bending the first bottom flap or the second bottom flap is configured to limit or prevent the unerected box from bending or folding at a stacking fold in the unerected box.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.