Abstract

A system and method for forming knock-down blanks from die-cut flat blanks used for forming shipping cartons or cases, comprising positioning a flat blank in a forming device, wherein the flat blank has four panels each with a middle portion, a top flap hingeably connected to the middle portion and a bottom flap hingeably connected to the middle portion, wherein the fourth panel has a tab formed on the outer edge of its middle portion, wherein the forming device includes a first mechanically operated arm and a second mechanically operated arm, wherein the first arm contacts the first panel, and wherein the second arm contacts the fourth panel; applying adhesive to the tab; and using the first and second arms to fold the first and fourth panels 180° inward, wherein the adhesive on the tab joins the first and fourth panels together.

IPC Classes  ?

• B31B 50/62 - Uniting opposed surfaces or edgesTaping by adhesives
• B31B 50/26 - Folding sheets, blanks or webs
• B31B 100/00 - Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by folding single-piece sheets, blanks or webs

Abstract

A bi-directional carton opening system for opening cartons in left hand or right hand configuration. The system utilizes apparatus having a Y axis rail with a first X axis rail fixedly mounted thereto and a second X axis rail mounted moveably thereto. A carton is gripped by a carrier on the first X axis rail and a carrier on the second X axis rail. The carrier on one of the X axis rails is moved along the respective X axis rail while the carrier on the other X axis rail is held in place and the moveable X axis rail is moved along the Y axis to open the carton to a rectangular tubular shape.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65B 43/26 - Opening or distending bagsOpening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
• B65B 43/30 - Opening or distending bagsOpening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks by grippers engaging opposed walls, e.g. suction-operated
• B65B 43/32 - Opening or distending bagsOpening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks by external pressure diagonally applied
• B65D 5/54 - Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing
• B65B 43/39 - Opening-out closure flaps clear of bag, box, or carton mouth
• B31B 50/52 - Folding sheets, blanks or webs by reciprocating or oscillating members, e.g. fingers
• B65D 71/00 - Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottlesBales of material
• B65D 85/00 - Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
• B65B 43/28 - Opening or distending bagsOpening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks by grippers co-operating with fixed supports

Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided for setting up bottle carrier baskets from a flat folded configuration to an expanded and locked condition. The carrier basket is picked from a magazine storage location by a pick up head with vacuum cups and transferred to a pair of opposed opener heads with vacuum cups. The opener heads move along divergent paths to expand the carrier basket and a linear brake slows the carrier handle to cause the body to move past the handle, positioning a notch in the bottom panel to engage a hook in the central wall. A rotating kicker raises the bottom panel, engaging the hook and the notch as the vacuum is released from the opener vacuum cups.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65B 21/00 - Packaging or unpacking of bottles
• B65B 43/26 - Opening or distending bagsOpening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
• B31B 19/90 - Attaching accessories not otherwise provided for, e.g. opening or closure devices, tear strings