Machine for loading and closing a shipping case with a telescopic lid
OwnerHerbert J. Sabelinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic machine for loading and installing a telescopic lid on a shipping case is disclosed. The machine provides for bottom loading an open-top case with product which may extend slightly above the case sidewalls when loaded therein. After the machine has loaded the case and closed its bottom flaps, a pre-scored and slotted lid member in sheet form is positioned above the case and then moved onto it as as its side and end panel members are folded against the case sidewalls and joined together to form a snug fitting telescoping lid on the case.
Claims15
A machine for automatically loading shipping cases through the bottom and installing a telescoping lid to the top thereof, comprising:
- means for holding a shipping cases to be loaded in an upright position with its bottom panels open and extended downwardly;
- elevator means providing a horizontal platform member located directly below said cases to be loaded;
- means for moving the product to be loaded onto said platform member;
- means for moving the product on said platform member vertically upward into said case;
- means responsive to the positioning of said platform member at the normal bottom level of said case for closing the case bottom end panels around said platform member;
- means for pushing the loaded case laterally in a first direction off of said platform member with its bottom end panels still in the closed position;
- means for pushing the loaded case in a second direction which is 90.degree. from said first direction;
- means for closing the bottom side panels of the case over the bottom end panels as the case is being pushed in said second direction;
- a conveyor means for supporting a loaded case;
- means for moving the loaded case into said conveyor means;
- lidder means for retaining a blank, unfolded lid member having side panels with bendable end tab portions and end panels, and for positioning the lid above a loaded case on said conveyor means;
- means for moving the positioned lid downwardly against the upper open end of the loaded case including means for bending said lid side panels downwardly against the outside sidewalls;
- means for bending said end tab portions against the outside end walls of the loaded case;
- means for bending said lid end panels against and for securing them to said side panel end tab portions adjacent the outside end walls of the loaded case;
- and
- means for moving said lidder means laterally above said conveyor means and parallel to it as the lid is installed on a loaded case.
For use with a packaging machine wherein a shipping case having an open upper end is loaded through its bottom end before its bottom panels are closed and sealed, a mechanism for automatically installing a telescoping cover on the loaded case, said mechanism comprising:
- means for positioning a blank, planar unfolded cover member, which is scored and slotted to form side panels with bendable end portions and end panels, above a loaded open case;
- means for lowering said positioned cover member downwardly to engage the upper end of the loaded case or the product therein;
- means for moving said cover installing mechanism horizontally as the loaded case is moved horizontally at the same rate;
- means for bending said cover side panels downwardly against the case sidewalls and for bending said end portions against the case end walls;
- means for bending said cover end panels against said bent end portions adjacent the case end walls, and
- means for bonding said cover end panels to said bent end portions to maintain them in position and thereby form a telescoping cover on the upper end of the loaded case as it continues to move horizontally.
An automatic lidder device for a shipping case having an open rectangular shaped top, said device comprising:
- a conveyor means for receiving and supporting said case after it has been loaded with product;
- holder means above said conveyor means for retaining a lid in sheet form adapted for installation on said open, loaded carton, said lid being scored and cut to define a central area with side panels having end tabs and end panels;
- stop means on said conveyor means for temporarily retaining said loaded case directly under the lid in said holder means;
- side folder arms on said holder means for bending said lid side panels when said holder means is moved downwardly against the loaded case;
- vertically movable actuator means connected to said folder means for lowering said lid to the top of said case and bending said lid side panel against the sides thereof;
- means for moving said side panel end tabs of said lid against the ends of the case;
- means for applying glue to said end tabs;
- and
- means for bending said end panels downwardly and for holding them against said glued end tabs and thereby hold said lid in a telescoping configuration on said case;
- and
- means for moving said lid holder means and thus a loaded case retained by said holder means along said conveyor means after the lid has been lowered onto said case and its side panels are folded.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.