Package blank normalizing system

A normalizing system for use with a case former, the normalizing system comprising:

• a frame, the frame defining a blank magazine area and a case forming area, the blank magazine area configured to receive a case blank magazine having a plurality of case blanks therein, each of the plurality of case blanks having a right side edge, a left side edge and a leading edge;
• a left blank picker and a right blank picker, each blank picker being mounted to the frame and being vertically moveable toward and away from the case blank magazine in a sequence of positions comprising a first position, a second position, a third position, and a fourth position, in the first position each blank picker is positioned a distance vertically above the case blank magazine, in the second position each blank picker is in contact with and engaged to the top-most case blank, in the third position each blank picker is positioned a distance vertically above the blank magazine with the top-most case blank engaged thereto, in the fourth position each blank picker is positioned a distance vertically above the blank magazine with the top-most case blank being released therefrom;
• a left shuttle clamp assembly and a right shuttle clamp assembly, each shuttle clamp assembly being mounted to the frame and being independently moveable relative to the frame between the blank magazine area and the case forming area, wherein when the left and right blank pickers are in the third position, the right shuttle clamp assembly engages the right side edge of the top-most case blank and the left shuttle clamp assembly engages the left side edge of the top-most case blank, wherein when the left and right blank pickers are in the fourth position, the right shuttle clamp assembly and the left shuttle clamp assembly are engaged to the top-most case blank, and the right shuttle clamp assembly and the left shuttle clamp assembly move to transport the top-most case blank from the blank magazine area to the case forming area along a linear pathway;
• a right alignment sensor and a left alignment sensor are positioned across the linear pathway, the right alignment sensor and the left alignment sensor forming a sensor plane, the right alignment sensor positioned to form a right side intersection with a right portion of the leading edge, the left alignment sensor positioned to form a left side intersection with a left portion of the leading edge;
• the right side intersection forming a first angle defined by the leading edge and the sensor plane, the left side intersection forming a second angle defined by the leading edge and the sensor plane, wherein the system is configured to determine a value of the first angle and the second angle based on detection of the leading edge by the right alignment sensor and the left alignment sensor, the value having an acceptable range and an unacceptable range,
• wherein when the value is in the acceptable range results in the system determining that the top-most case blank is in proper alignment within the frame and the left shuttle clamp assembly and the right shuttle clamp assembly continue advancing the top-most case blank into the case forming area,
• wherein when the value is in the unacceptable range results in the system determining that the top-most case blank is in misalignment and signals to at least one of the left shuttle clamp assembly and the right shuttle clamp assembly to alter its speed so as to bring the top-most case blank back into proper alignment.