Carton unfolding apparatus

An apparatus adapted to support a carton having a plurality of hingedly interconnected panels in a flattened condition and to open said carton so as to cause said panels to form a tubular box into which an article can be inserted, said apparatus comprising a generally rectangular base frame providing a horizontal support surface bounded by a pair of side edges interconnecting a front edge to a rear edge;

• a plate member having a flat surface, means pivotally connecting said plate member to said rear edge of said base frame for movement between a first position wherein said plate member is horizontally aligned with said support surface of said base frame and a second position wherein said plate member is located in a substantially vertically oriented plane;
• a first stop member and a second stop member each supported for adjustable movement relative to said rear edge of said base frame and mounted respectively on said support surface of said base frame and on said flat surface of said plate member so as to permit cartons of varying widths to be positioned between said first and second stop members when said plate member is in said first position;
• each of said stop members comprising an elongated bar member rigidly connected at its opposite ends to a guide member, said guide member including a vertically oriented plate and a horizontally projecting foot which serves to maintain said bar member in surface contact with the associated flat surface;
• and a power-operated cylinder pivotally connected between said plate member and said base frame for moving said plate member to said second position so as to cause said carton when in said flattened condition and located between said first and second stop members to be compressed therebetween and formed into said tubular box.