Carton formation system
OwnerMichael E. Lottinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is disclosed for erecting flat carton blanks into a tubular configuration, folding the minor flaps inwardly normal to the minor sides in three steps at a first work station, moving the erected carton blank to a second work station while partially folding the major flaps toward the folded minor flaps and applying glue to the minor flaps, further moving the carton blank to a third work station where the major flaps are pressure sealed to minor flaps and then discharging the finished carton from the work area. A machine for performing the method includes unique motor driven chain drive assemblies that enable adjustments to accommodate various size carton and a cam regulated valve system to control application of vacuum to suction cups and compressed air to a glue gun and to pneumatic pistons that move control arms and the like.
Claims8
A machine for erecting flat carton blanks having first and second major flaps foldably attached to respective first and second major carton sides and first and second minor flaps foldably attached to respective first and second minor carton sides into a tubular configuration, folding said flaps inwardly and sealing said major flaps to said minor flaps that comprises:
- horizontal platform means for supporting said carton blanks during said erecting and sealing,
- means to hold a stack of said flat carton blanks and move the bottom blank from underneath said stack including adjustable catch dogs that push said bottom blank onto said platform means,
- suction means comprising a first suction cup for holding a carton blank on said platform means at a first work station and a second suction cup to grasp said first minor side of said carton blank and move it from a horizontal position to a vertical position thereby erecting said carton blank into a tubular configuration,
- first arm means to engage said first minor flap extending from said first minor side and fold it partially in toward said erected carton blank,
- second arm means to engage said second minor flap and fold it normal to said second minor side,
- moveable horizontal bar means to engage said first minor flap and move it normal to said first minor side,
- pusher means to move said erected carton blank over said platform from said first work station to second and third work stations comprising upper and lower pusher dogs carried on upper and lower endless chains that each run around respective upper and lower horizontally spaced upstream and downstream sprocket wheels,
- drive means to operate said pusher means,
- third and fourth arm means positioned at said second station to engage said first and second major flaps as said erected carton blank is moved from said first station to said second station thereby to bend said major flaps partially toward said folded in minor flaps,
- glue means at said second station including a glue head to apply glue to said minor flaps as said erected carton blank moves through said second station,
- ram means positioned at said third station to seal said major flaps to said minor flaps comprising a stationary backing plate and a horizontally movable ram plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.