Box opening movement with guides
AssigneeWestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
InventorAlexis Manneux
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of processing boxes includes shuttling a box in a first direction and cutting to separate outer flaps of the box from one another as the box moves past a cutting tool in the first direction, wherein the outer flaps overlie inner flaps. The method includes engaging a set of opening guides with the outer flaps of the box to drive the outer flaps open. The method includes opening inner flaps using shape memory and shuttling the box in the first direction over an inclined plane after the inner and outer flaps are open to flatten the box.
Claims17
A method of processing boxes comprising:
- shuttling a box in a first direction and cutting to separate outer flaps of the box from one another as the box moves past a cutting tool in the first direction, wherein the outer flaps overlie inner flaps;
- engaging a set of opening guides with the outer flaps of the box to drive the outer flaps open;
- opening inner flaps using shape memory;
- and
- shuttling the box in the first direction over an inclined plane after the inner and outer flaps are open to flatten the box.
A system for processing boxes comprising:
- a frame;
- a cutting tool mounted stationary to the frame;
- a pair of opposed opening guides mounted to the frame;
- an inclined plane mounted to the frame and configured to flatten a box;
- a shuttle movably connected to the frame and configured to move a box in a first direction past the cutting tool and opening guides for cutting the box open, and to open outer flaps with the opening guides, and for moving the box against the inclined plane to flatten the box, wherein the inclined plane is stationary relative to the frame and is inclined relative to the first and second directions of the shuttle;
- and
- a box engaged to the shuttle, wherein the box includes outer flaps configured to be opened by the opening guides, wherein the outer flaps overlie inner flaps of the box, wherein the box and inner flaps are configured so that the inner flaps open using shape memory when the outer flaps are opened.
A box comprising:
- a plurality of side panels formed around an interior space;
- a pair of opposed outer flaps foldably connected to two of the respective side panels, wherein the outer flaps are secured in a closed position to enclose one side of the box;
- and
- a pair of opposed inner flaps, wherein the outer flaps overlie the inner flaps, wherein the inner flaps are biased by shape memory to open upon opening of the outer flaps.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.