Method and apparatus for squaring cases

A mechanism for squaring flattened case blanks in preparation for use comprising:

• a plurality of flattened case blanks, each case blank having a minimum of a first major side panel, a first outer folded corner adjacent to said first major side panel, a second outer folded corner on the opposite end of the case blank from said first outer folded corner, two bottom major flaps, and two bottom minor flaps;
• a first means for gripping the lead case blank of said plurality of flattened case blanks by said first major side panel of said lead case blank, leaving the remaining three side panels free to rotate about the axes represented by the four corners of said lead case blank;
• a second means for rotating said first major side panel and subsequently, said lead case blank, away from said plurality of flattened case blanks about an axis which is parallel to and adjacent to a line represented by said first outer folded corner of said lead case blank adjacent to said first major side panel;
• and
• a structure, placed in the path of the rotating lead case blank and making contact with said second outer folded corner of said rotating lead case blank, formed in such a manner that it causes the distance between said outer folded corners to gradually decrease as said rotating lead case blank rotates until said rotating lead case blank is forced into a squared configuration as the degree of rotation of said first major side panel reaches substantially 90 degrees.

An apparatus for squaring flattened case blanks in preparation for use comprising:

• a magazine, affixed to a frame via a means for vertical adjustment, containing a plurality of flattened case blanks, each case blank having a minimum of a first major side panel, a first outer folded corner adjacent to said first major side panel, a second outer folded corner on the opposite end of the case blank from said first outer folded corner, two bottom major flaps, and two bottom minor flaps;
• a pivotally mounted arm, affixed to a horizontal carrier adjustably affixed to said frame, the adjustment means of which is mechanically linked to the means for vertical adjustment of the height of said magazine, for removal of said lead case blank in said magazine, said pivotally mounted arm rotating about an axis which is parallel to and adjacent to a line represented by said first outer folded corner of said lead case blank;
• a case-gripping means comprising suction cups and a vacuum source, positioned to grip said first major side panel, affixed to said pivotally mounted arm;
• a member, affixed to said frame on the side of said lead case blank opposite the side to which said pivotally mounted arm is affixed, formed in such a manner that a plane representing its internal vertical surface is perpendicular to the face of said lead case blank at the end adjacent to said lead case blank and parallel to said face of said lead case blank at the opposite end, which said lead case blank makes contact with and is squared by as said lead case blank is rotated away from said magazine by said pivotally mounted arm;
• bottom flap-folding means to close said bottom major and minor flaps of the squared case;
• and
• means for conveying said squared case out of the squaring area comprising a first drive belt, positioned to contact said first major side panel of said squared case, affixed to said horizontally adjustable carrier on which said squaring arm is mounted, and a second drive belt, containing a gate-like swinging section, positioned to contact the major side panel opposite said first major side panel of said squared case, affixed to said frame.