End flap engagement assembly for erecting cartons and related systems and methods

A carton forming system, the carton forming system comprising:

• a blank infeed assembly proximate an upstream end of the carton forming system for receiving at least one blank comprising a plurality of panels and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels;
• at least one conveyor assembly positioned downstream from the blank infeed assembly in a machine direction of the carton forming system, the at least one conveyor assembly comprising at least one conveyor member defining a rail for at least partially supporting the at least one blank, the at least one conveyor assembly comprising a plurality of engagement lugs movable along the rail for at least partially moving the at least one blank in the machine direction;
• at least one end flap engagement assembly positioned adjacent the at least one conveyor assembly, the end flap engagement assembly comprising a driving apparatus, a connecting member operably coupled to the driving apparatus, and a crank apparatus operably coupled to the connecting member and supporting an end flap engagement member for contacting at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps of the blank;
• and
• a carton erection assembly comprising the at least one end flap engagement assembly and at least one carton formation frame positioned downstream from the end flap engagement assembly, the at least one carton formation frame defining a sloped upper surface for slidably receiving the at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps of the blank, wherein the at least one carton formation frame comprises a lower portion such that an airflow discharge area is at least partially defined between the lower portion and the upper sloped surface, the airflow discharge area in fluid communication with a blower apparatus for facilitating formation of a carton from the blank.

An end flap engagement assembly for a carton forming system, the end flap engagement assembly comprising:

• a driving apparatus;
• a connecting member operably coupled to the driving apparatus;
• and
• a crank apparatus operably coupled to the connecting member and supporting an end flap engagement member for contacting at least one end flap of a blank, wherein the driving apparatus comprises a rotating member comprising a body with a projection extending outwardly from the rotating member, the projection coupled to a first end portion of the connecting member, the connecting member further comprising a second end portion coupled to a crank arm of the crank apparatus, the crank arm coupled to an axle that is coupled to the end flap engagement member.