Patent Grant
11305903
The present disclosure relates to packaging machines. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for forming customized packaging boxes from sheet material.
Sales of goods and services via the internet have risen sharply in recent years and this trend is expected to continue. The vast majority of online orders are shipped to the customer, requiring most products purchased online to be packaged for shipping. With the wide range of products being ordered, packaging can present a number of challenges for manufacturers and distributors. For example, while products of all shapes and sizes need to be packaged and sent to customers, manufacturers and/or distributors may only have a limited variety of box sizes to accommodate such products.
As a result, products are often placed into boxes that are too big. Using boxes that are too big uses additional packaging materials, which is wasteful and costly. Also, packaging boxes that are too big for the product being shipped results in wasted space inside the box and around the product. This extra space can cause the product to shift, bounce, or otherwise move around in the box during shipping, which leads to the product being damaged during transport. In many case, filler material is placed around the product inside the box to prevent the product from being jostled too much. However, the extra filler material costs money and time.
There are packaging machines that are capable of customizing packaging boxes to specific product sizes in order to limit or eliminate some of the challenges mentioned above. In such machines, boxes are formed from sheet material that is fed into the machine, which cuts the sheet material into a box template (or “blank”). The blank is then folded into a box.
Prior to being formed into box templates, the sheet material can be folded back and forth on top of itself in alternating segments in a stack. As such, the sheet material includes score or fold lines extending across the material between segments. Because of these score or fold lines, using fanfold material (e.g., sheet material that has been folded back and forth on itself) to form blanks can be problematic. For example, the blank formed from fanfold material often does extends across multiple segments of the fanfold material. Thus, blanks formed from fanfold material often have score or fold lines extending across one or more panels, tabs, or other sections of the blank. These fanfold score or fold lines extending across the blank are referred to as “false scores” because they likely do not fall directly on the blank where the blank is supposed to be folded. That is, packaging machines typically bend the blanks at boundaries between the panels and tabs to form boxes and false scores do not necessarily align with those boundaries. As such, false scores create weaknesses in the blank material that may cause certain panels or tabs of the blank to collapse, bend, rip, or otherwise fail during bending or other box folding processes within a packaging machine.
The difficulties presented by false scores extending across blanks are exacerbated when the packaging machine is tasked with forming a variety of customizable box sizes, as discussed above, from generic fanfold material. In such situations, false scores extending across blanks can occur at any point along the length of the blank, depending on the size and configuration of the blank, which may change based on the size of the product being packaged. Essentially, the position of false scores on blanks can vary from one blank to the next. This variability makes it difficult for manufacturers and/or distributors to adapt packaging machines to overcome the difficulties false scores present during customizable package forming processes.
Accordingly, there are a number of problems in the art that need to be addressed. The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.
The present disclosure relates to packaging machines. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for forming customized packaging boxes from generic fanfold material. For example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of forming a box from a blank includes providing a blank on a drive line. The blank can include a plurality of panels, including a leading panel, and intermediate panel, a bottom panel, a trailing panel, and a glue tab extending form the trailing panel. Each panel has one or more side flaps extending therefrom. In such an embodiment, the method further includes moving the blank forward on the drive line and folding the side flaps up and down in an alternating fashion.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for forming a box includes providing a blank on a drive line and moving the blank forward thereon. While the blank is moving forward on the drive line, various side flaps of the blank are moved up and down in alternating fashion to rigidify panels from which the side flaps extend. Also, a holder maintains the side flaps that have been folded up in position and holds a bottom panel of the blank down while adjacent panels of the blank are folded up and over to form back, front, and top surfaces of the box. In such an embodiment, the bottom leading corner of the holder is chamfered so that the leading panels of the blank can be partially folded up before the leading panel completely passes a leading edge of the holder.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for forming a box includes providing a blank on a drive line and moving the blank forward thereon. While the blank is moving forward on the drive line, various side flaps of the blank are moved up and down in alternating fashion to rigidify panels from which the side flaps extend. In such an embodiment, a holder maintains the side flaps that have been folded up in position and holds a bottom panel of the blank down while adjacent panels of the blank are folded up and over to form back, front, and top surfaces of the box. Also, a spatula arm folds the glue tab downward and the leading edge of the spatula makes contact with a boundary of the leading two panels of the blank. In this way, the leading two panels are folded at the boundary to form the top and front surfaces of the box.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for forming a box includes providing a blank on a drive line and moving the blank forward thereon. While the blank is moving forward on the drive line, various side flaps of the blank are moved up and down in alternating fashion to rigidify panels from which the side flaps extend. Also, a holder maintains the side flaps that have been folded up in position and holds a bottom panel of the blank down while adjacent panels of the blank are folded up and over to form back, front, and top surfaces of the box.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of forming a box from a blank includes providing a blank on a drive line. The blank can include a plurality of panels, including a leading panel, and intermediate panel, a bottom panel, a trailing panel, and a glue tab extending form the trailing panel. Each panel has one or more side flaps extending therefrom. In such an embodiment, the method includes moving the blank forward on the drive line and folding the side flaps up and down in an alternating fashion. A holder maintains the folded side flaps in position while the blank moves forward on the drive line. As the blank continues to move forward, the two leading panels and the two trailing panels are folded up and over to form the top, front, rear, and glue tab surfaces of the box, respectively. In addition, in such an embodiment, one or more trailing squaring arms and one or more leading squaring arms maintain the bottom trailing corner and the top leading corner of the box at a fixed angle.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a box forming machine includes a drive line. The drive line has a longitudinal direction and a drive mechanism configured to transport a blank forward on the drive line. The box forming machine also includes one or more fingers and one or more holders. The fingers are configured to lift and push down side flaps of the blank in an alternating fashion as the blank moves forward on the drive line. The one or more holders are configured to hold the side flaps of the blank in position as the blank moves forward on the drive line.
In one embodiment, a method for folding a box from a blank is performed on a feed line with an advancing direction of movement. The method includes supplying the blank on the feed line such that side panels of the blank extend transversely of the feed line. One or more goods are positioned on a middle panel of the blank. The blank is advanced with the one or more goods along the feed line. The side panels which lie diagonally of the middle panel are folded upward. A rear panel is folded upward and held in place as a rear wall of the box. Front panels are folded upward by moving an arm upward during forward movement of the blank. Folding the front panels upward includes folding the front panels from a first position under the feed line to a second position above the box, such that the box advances under the upward moved arm in order to form a front wall and an upper wall of the box with the front panels.
In one embodiment, a device is provided for folding a box from a blank while the blank advances in a direction of movement along a feed line. The device includes a supply section for supplying the blank on the feed line such that side panels of the blank extend transversely of the feed line. The device also includes positioning section for positioning one or more goods on a middle panel of the blank. The device includes a feed section for advancing the blank with the one or more goods along the feed line. A first folding section of the device is configured for folding upward side panels which lie diagonally of the middle panel. A second folding section of the device is configured for folding upward a rear panel and holding this panel in place as rear wall of the box. A third folding section of the device is configured for folding upward front panels by moving an arm upward from a first position under the feed line to a second position above the box, such that the box comes to lie under the upward moved arm in order to thus form a front wall and an upper wall of the box with the front panels.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additional features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the present disclosure.
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The present disclosure relates to packaging machines. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for forming customized packaging boxes from generic fanfold material. For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of forming a box from a blank includes providing a blank on a drive line. The blank can include a plurality of panels, including a leading panel, an intermediate panel, a bottom panel, and a trailing panel. Each panel has one or more side flaps extending therefrom. In addition, each blank may or may not include one or more false scores extending thereacross. In such an embodiment, the method further includes moving the blank forward on the drive line and folding the side flaps up and down in an alternating fashion.
Embodiments of the present disclosure solve one or more of the problems in the art discussed above by providing methods and apparatus for forming boxes from box templates (or “blanks”) that may or may not have false scores extending thereacross. The methods and apparatus described herein include steps and devices that rigidify various panels and flaps of the blanks formed from fanfold material so that false scores do not negatively affect the folding process or the structural integrity of the final box.
Turning now to the figures,
The fanfold material 110 illustrated herein may comprise corrugate, cardboard, or other packaging materials, or a combination thereof. While the fanfold material may comprise corrugate/cardboard, one or more other embodiments of fanfold stacks 110 may comprise materials other than corrugate/cardboard that may be used to form packages and boxes. For example, fanfold materials may comprise various plastics, rubbers, papers, or other bendable materials, or combinations thereof, which are generally known in the art of packaging and box forming.
The fanfold material 110 is fed into the blank cutting machine to form a planar box template, or “blank,” which is illustrated in more detail in
Additionally, the product supply machine 106 may include one or more scanners 118, including one or more dimensional and/or bar code scanners that determine the size of the one or more goods being packaged. This size information may then be relayed to the blank cutting machine 104, which in turn may cut a blank to optimal dimensions that minimize extra space around the one or more goods within the final box product. Once the one or more goods is/are placed on the proper area of the blank formed in the blank cutting machine 104, the one or more goods and the blank are transported into the box forming machine 108. As such, the box forming machine 108 may form a box around the one or more goods placed on the blank.
As noted above, a blank formed in the blank forming machine 104 may comprise a planar sheet of material having a plurality of panels, side flaps, and/or tabs that can be bent at various angles to form packaging boxes of various sizes and shapes.
The leading panel A is referred to as the “leading panel” because it is oriented in the forward direction as the blank 300 moves along through the box forming machine 108. Likewise, the trailing panel D indicates a panel that trails behind other panels as the blank 300 moves forward through the box forming machine 108. The bottom panel C is generally positioned where the one or more goods may be placed by the product supply machine 106. The bottom panel C may form the bottom surface of the final box.
The blank 300 illustrated in
However, for purposes of illustrating and describing various embodiments of a box forming machine according to the present disclosure, the blank 300 illustrated in
The box forming machine 108 may also comprise one or more arms 402, holders 404, and side panel fingers 406, all of which will be described in more detail with reference to subsequent figures. As shown in
However, the side panel fingers 406 may push the side panels A′-E′ up and down in alternating fashion as the blank 300 moves forward along the drive line 400. For example, as shown in
As described herein, folding the side flaps up and down in an alternating fashion means that alternating side flaps are folded up and down. In other words, one side flap is folded down and the adjacent or subsequent side flap is folded up, and so on. As a result, every other side flap is folded up and every other side flap is folded down.
When a side panel is pushed down or lifted up by the side panel fingers 406, such as side panels A′ and side panels B′, shown in
Rigidifying the panels A-E as the blank 300 moves forward on the drive line 400 may strengthen the panels A-E and ensure that the panels A-E are bent or folded at the proper boundary lines between adjacent panels during subsequent blank folding methods and steps of the box forming process described herein. Along these lines, rigidifying various panels of the blank 300 may reduce the risk of panels bending or folding along false scores that extend across the blank 300 at locations other than the boundaries between panels.
Likewise, as shown in
Once the side panels A′-E′ have been folded to rigidify respective panels A-E, the blank 300 may then undergo several bending/folding steps to form a box. As shown in
Also, as shown in
The holders 404, which may include upper and lower portions 404a and 404b, may maintain various side panels A′-E′ in position during the folding step illustrated in
Also, in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the leading bottom corners of the holders 404 may be chamfered or angled. In such embodiments, the arms 402 may begin to lift the leading and intermediate panels A, B up before the leading panel A and/or intermediate panel B have moved completely beyond the front edge of the holders 404 by the drive line 400. In such an embodiment, the chamfered corner of the holders 404 may increase the speed of forming a box from the blank 300 in the box forming machine 108 because the arms may begin lifting/folding the leading and intermediate panels A, B sooner than if the leading and intermediate panels A, B had to be completely past the holders 404 before the arms 402 could begin to lift/fold the leading and intermediate panels A, B.
The trailing squaring arms mentioned above with reference to
In one or more embodiments, the box forming machine 108 may include only one trailing squaring arm 900 or more than two trailing squaring arms 900. In addition, in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the trailing squaring arms 900 may extend upward at any number of angles, depending on the shape of the box being formed and the required angle of the trailing panel D relative to the bottom panel C. Along these lines,
Turning now to
As shown in
One will also appreciate that the bent side panels B′ extending from the intermediate panel B may also facilitate the proper folding position between the leading and intermediate panels A, B. For example, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Also, as shown in
However, one will appreciate that the first and second components of the leading squaring arm 1502 may be disposed at various other angles relative to one another depending on the shape of the box being formed. For example, in one or more embodiments, the box forming machine 108 may form boxes that are not rectangular shaped. In such embodiments, the leading squaring arm 1502 may have first and second components 1502a, 1502b that are angled greater or less than 90-degrees relative to one another. In addition, while the embodiment illustrated in the figures shows one leading squaring arm 1502, one or more other embodiments of the box forming machine 108 may comprise more than one leading squaring arm 1502.
Likewise, as discussed above, the trailing squaring arms 900 may extend upward from the drive line 400 vertically to maintain the trailing bottom corner of the box 1500 at a 90-degree angle as the blank 300 moves forward along the drive line 400. However, as with the leading squaring arm 1502, the trailing squaring arms 900 may be disposed at angles other than 90-degrees relative to the drive line 400 to form corners of boxes other than rectangular shaped boxes.
The box forming machine 108 may also comprise upper and lower side arms configured to fold the remaining side panels of the blank 300 to form right and left side surfaces of the box 1500.
One will appreciate that during the various folding steps described herein, one or more methods may be provided to adhere the various panels together while forming the box 1500. For example, in one or more embodiments, the box forming machine 108 may include the step of applying glue or other adhesive material to the glue tab panel E. Additionally or alternatively, the box forming machine 108 may include means to apply glue or other adhesive material to at least a portion of the leading panel A. In such embodiments, the leading panel A and glue tab panel E may adhere to one another when they are brought into contact.
Likewise, one or more embodiments of the box forming machine 104 of the present disclosure may comprise means to apply glue or other adhesive materials to the various side panels that form the left and right surfaces of the box 1500. In this way, the box may remain intact after the panels of the blank are bent/folded into position along the drive line 400 of the box forming machine 108, as described herein.
One will appreciate that the various components of the box forming machine 108 described herein may comprise components, shapes, and configurations, or be disposed at different angles or distances relative to one another, other than those described herein, while maintaining their proper functions described herein. For example, the arms 402 extending transversely across the drive line 400 are illustrated as elongated, rectangular bars. However, one or more other embodiments of the arms 402 may include one or more rod shaped bars, planar plates, or irregularly shaped components.
Also, for example, while the arms 402 are illustrated as extending transversely across the drive line 400 in a perpendicular fashion, one or more embodiments may include arms 402 that extend across the drive line 400 in a non-perpendicular fashion.
Also, for example, while the present disclosure illustrates the side panel fingers 406 comprising generally circular rods tapering towards the trailing ends thereof, one or more other embodiments may comprise side panel fingers 406 of other shapes and/or sizes. For example, in one or more other embodiments, the side panel fingers may comprise rectangular rods, plates, or other irregularly shaped components that are capable of performing the same functions described herein.
Also, for example, the drive line, spatula, trailing squaring arms, leading squaring arms, and holders of the present disclosure may comprise shapes and components other than those described herein or be positioned at angles other than those shown. These components of other embodiments may perform the same functions as those described herein.
For example, the spatula 1200 and leading squaring arms 1502 are illustrated as extending downward from above the drive line 400. However, in one or more embodiments, the spatula 1200 and/or leading squaring arms 1502 may extend from below or to the side of the drive line 400 to perform their described functions. Also, for example, the spatula 1200 and/or leading squaring arms 1502 may extend at an angle relative to the drive line 400, rather than parallel in the longitudinal direction of the drive line 400 as illustrated herein.
One will also appreciate that the various steps and folding processes carried out by the box forming machine 108 described herein may vary in other embodiments. Again, the blank 300 shown herein for illustrative purposes may be altered to form boxes of various other shapes and sizes. Accordingly, the steps, folding processes, and order with which these steps are carried out may be rearranges, altered, or discarded in one or more other embodiments of the present disclosure.
For example, in one or more embodiments, the blank 300 may not comprise a glue tab panel E. In such an embodiment, the box forming machine 108 may or may not comprise a spatula as described herein. Also, for example, in one or more embodiment of the present disclosure, the box being formed by the box forming machine 108 may be an open box having one or more surfaces open. In such an embodiment, the box forming machine 108 may or may not include one or more upper and lower side arms to form left and/or right surfaces of the box. Likewise, in such an embodiment, the box forming machine 108 may or may not raise a leading panel over the top of the one or more goods to form an open top of the box 1500.
Attention is now directed to
Each of the panels A, B, C and D has two side flaps, designated respectively with A′, B′, C′ and D′. These side flaps are provided to form the two side walls of the box. In the present embodiment, a closing flap A″ is further provided on panel A in the direction of movement 1802 or longitudinal direction of blank 1800. This closing flap A″ serves to connect panel A to panel D when the box is being formed. This will be further elucidated with reference to the following figures. In
In
A blank can be created in order to form a box with predetermined dimensions. The creating of the blank itself may for performed in a variety of ways. Blanks as shown in
Finger 1804 may be oriented with a distal end which extends counter to the direction of movement 1802, and the distal end points at least slightly downward. Pointing slightly downward is defined as the finger forming, at least at the position of the distal end, an angle with the horizontal plane of a maximum of 30 degrees, preferably a maximum of 20 degrees, more preferably a maximum of 15 degrees.
Finger arm 1806 is further provided to control the height of finger 1804. This is shown in
A side flap holder 1812 is further provided which is mounted on a side flap holder arm 1814 for the purpose of holding the upward folded side flap in place during the forward movement of the blank over the feed line. The side flap holder 1812 is not shown in the further figures, but is deemed preferably present for holding the side flaps in the folded position during further folding steps.
The result of the folding upward of side flap C′, and of side flap A′, as will be further elucidated hereinbelow, is that the stiffness of segment C and segment A, for the benefit of the folding upward of these segments for the purpose of forming the upright walls of the box, increases considerably. Because side flaps C′ and A′ are folded upward, central panels C and A are also strengthened in that the flexibility of panels C and A decreases considerably at the position of the connection to side flap C′ and A′. The skilled person will appreciate that the stiffness of sections C and A is high once side flaps C′ and A′ have been folded upward. This allows segments C and A to be folded upward in a less controlled, even rough manner, without this being detrimental to the reliability of the folding upward. After side flaps C′ and A′ have been folded upward, side flap B′ can optionally also be folded at least partially upward. Folding side flap B′ upward through for instance about 35 degrees prevents undesired unfolding of side flaps C′ and A′, i.e. this is prevented by the partially upward folded side flap B′.
The skilled person will appreciate that when plate-like material is handled for folding, it is easy for an undesired fold to be created when the plate-like material is not wholly supported to sufficient extent during the folding movement. Such situations are avoided by first folding side flaps C′ and A′ upward. It will be almost impossible for an undesired fold to be created in the A-segment and C-segment as long as side flaps A′ and C′ form an angle with the respective central panels A and C. This is particularly advantageous when boxes with different dimensions are folded in one device. This is because the box can be folded considerably more easily, and the method of folding is considerably more robust when segments A and C are allowed to be handled more roughly and/or in less controlled manner. This makes it possible to provide an arm or pressing element or folding element which does not necessarily support the whole panel A and/or C during folding upward of the respective panel.
The skilled person will appreciate that the exact order of the application of the glue, the folding upward of side flaps A′ and C′ and the placing of the goods on the blank can vary from one embodiment to another.
Positioning finger 1830 further has the function of catching the first segment D. First segment D is folded over the goods by arm 1822 so as to form the upper side of the box. As described above, upper segment D can have undesired folds, and the movement of the folding of this front segment D is not wholly controlled. Depending on the size of the box, the strength of the sheet material and the speed of the folding, the front segment D will drop downward as the upper wall of the box more quickly or more slowly, optionally considerably forced by arm 1822. This dropping down is illustrated with arrow 1834. The dropping down 1834 of first segment D is stopped by positioning finger 1830. When a false crease is present in first segment D, first segment D may drop down early and sharply. It will therefore be advantageous to have the positioning finger 1830 extend to a position substantially at the front of the box so as to enable first segment D to be caught correctly in all cases. The skilled person will appreciate that the shape of positioning finger 1830 is not crucial to application of the principles disclosed herein. The most important consideration in shaping the finger is the complementarity in the transverse direction with the applied glue. The fingers and the glue will preferably not overlap, as seen in the transverse direction. The skilled person will thus appreciate that it is also possible for two or more fingers to be formed, wherein glue is applied between the fingers, as seen in the transverse direction. This prevents glue 1818, which is situated on first segment D, from coming into undesired contact, contact at an incorrect location or premature contact with goods and/or with closing flap A″. In order to prevent glue 1818 from coming into contact with positioning finger 1830, the positioning finger 1830 may take a narrow form, as seen in the transverse direction, and may be placed centrally relative to the box, while the glue is applied eccentrically, as seen in the width direction, and is thus not applied in the center.
In
At the position of positioning section 1904, the goods 1816 are positioned on a central panel B of blank 1800. The skilled person will appreciate on the basis of the above elucidation that the goods could also be positioned on the central panel C. In some operations, for instance, the moving of arm 1822 and positioning fingers 1804, would have to be performed differently therein. The movement of arm 1822 will become slightly more complex as a result of the direction of movement of the blank 1800, but the skilled person will appreciate that such a device can be constructed on the basis of the same operating principles. It is then possible to opt to have the closing flap A″ connect onto an outer side of the box, or to move the closing flap to panel D.
When closing flap A″ is formed at the position of panel D, the method can be performed as described above and as shown in the Figures. The closing flap D″ will then overlap with panel A at the position of the upright side wall of the box. Arm 1822 can then further be provided to press the closing flap and the panel A against the side wall.
After goods 1816 have been positioned on blank 1800, blank 1800 is advanced by feed line 1902 to the first folding section 1908. At the position of first folding section 1908, the fingers 1804, which were elucidated above with reference to
In the embodiment of
Provided in the third folding section 1912 is the arm 1822 which, as elucidated above with reference to
The device can comprise yet another folding section (not shown) for folding upward and downward of side flaps B′ and D′. Side flaps B′ and D′ can be provided here with glue in order to connect them to each other or to connect them to side flaps A′ and/or C′. The device can also comprise yet another packing section, for instance, for securing a fixing one or more straps around the box. The device can further comprise a section for labelling of the box. Alternatively, the blanks can be supplied already labelled on the basis of the operational link between supply device 1900 and supply 1906.
One will appreciate that altering the order, number, and types of folding steps and processes described herein may allow a manufacturer and/or distributor to form any number of box shapes and sizes. These various box shapes and sizes may be altered, designed, and customized to accommodate any number of product shapes and sizes that are to be packaged within the box. Accordingly, box forming machines of the present disclosure are configured to form customized boxes that fit around products without wasted box material or added packaging materials. In addition, box forming machines of the present disclosure are configured to form such boxes without fanfold scores (or “false scores”) negatively affecting the box forming steps and/or processes described herein. As such, the methods, processes, and apparatus described herein may successfully form customizable boxes from generic fanfold material having fanfold scores.
In light of the disclosure herein, embodiments may take a variety of forms or may include a variety of different combinations of the features described herein. By way of example, a method of forming a box from a blank can include:
In some embodiments, the method also includes lifting the trailing panel upward to form a back surface of the box. In some embodiments, the method also includes holding the trailing panel at a first angle relative to the bottom panel to maintain a bottom trailing corner of the box as the blank moves forward on the drive line.
In some embodiments, the method also includes:
lifting the leading panel and the intermediate panel up and over the one or more goods to form a top surface and a front surface of the box, respectively, so that the leading panel makes contact with a glue tab extending from the trailing panel as the blank moves forward on the drive line; and
holding the leading panel at a second angle relative to the intermediate panel to maintain a top leading corner of the box as the blank moves forward on the drive line.
In some embodiments, the method also includes holding the bottom panel down while the leading panel and intermediate panel are folded up over the one or more goods. Similarly, in some embodiments, the method also includes holding the bottom panel down while the trailing panel is lifted up to from the back surface of the box.
In some embodiments, a horizontally extending spatula folds the glue tab downward and a leading edge of the spatula engages a boundary between the leading panel and the intermediate panel so that the leading panel bends relative to the intermediate panel at the boundary when lifting the leading panel and intermediate panel up and over the one or more goods.
In some embodiments, the method also includes folding the side panels to form left and right surfaces of the box as the blank moves forward on the drive line. In some embodiments, the side panels that have been folded up are held in position with a holder. In some embodiments, a bottom leading corner of the holder is chamfered. In some embodiments, the leading panel and the intermediate panel begin to be lifted up and over the one or more goods before the intermediate panel has completely passed a leading edge of the holder as the blank moves forward on the drive line. In some embodiments, the holder is stationary as the blank moves forward on the drive line.
In some embodiments, the side panels are folded up and down in an alternating fashion by one or more fingers that move up and down as the blank moves forward on the drive line. In some embodiments, the side panels extending from the bottom panel are folded downward to rigidify the bottom panel.
In another embodiment, a method of forming a box from fanfold material includes:
In some embodiments, the method also includes folding the leading panel and the intermediate panel up and over the bottom panel to form a top and front surface of a box, respectively. In some embodiments, the method also includes folding the trailing panel up and maintaining the trailing panel at an angle relative to the bottom panel to form a trailing bottom corner of a box. In some embodiments, the method also includes pushing a glue tab extending from the trailing panel down with a spatula, wherein the spatula comprises a leading edge that contacts a boundary between the leading panel and the intermediate panel as the intermediate panel and leading panel are folded up and over the bottom panel to form a front and top surface of a box, respectively.
In some embodiments, the method also includes holding the side panels in position as the blank moves forward on the drive line after the side panels have been folded up and down in an alternating fashion. In some embodiments, the method also includes holding the bottom panel down as the leading panel, intermediate panel, and trailing panel are folded to form the top, front, and rear surfaces of a box, respectively.
In another embodiment, a box forming machine includes:
In some embodiments, the box forming machine also includes one or more trailing squaring arms disposed on the drive line. In some embodiments, the one or more trailing squaring arms have a downward position and a raised position, wherein the one or more trailing squaring arms in the raised position maintain an angle of a bottom trailing corner of a box made from the blank as the blank moves forward on the drive line.
In some embodiments, the box forming machine also includes one or more leading squaring arms disposed at least partially above the drive line. In some embodiments, the one or more leading squaring arms are configured to maintain an angle of a top leading corner of a box formed from the blank as the blank moves forward on the drive line.
In some embodiments, the box forming machine also includes a spatula having a leading edge facing forward in the longitudinal direction of the drive line. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the spatula comprises a surface that is parallel to the drive line. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the spatula is disposed above the drive line.
In some embodiments, the one or more fingers each comprise an elongate member tapering down toward a trailing end thereof. In some embodiments, the elongate member of each of the one or more fingers is disposed parallel to the drive line in the longitudinal direction of the drive line.
In another embodiment, a method is provided for folding a box from a blank. The method is performed on a feed line with an advancing direction of movement. The method includes:
supplying the blank on the feed line such that side panels of the blank extend transversely of the feed line;
positioning one or more goods on a middle panel of the blank;
advancing the blank with the one or more goods along the feed line;
folding upward side panels which lie diagonally of the middle panel;
folding upward a rear panel and holding this panel in place as rear wall of the box;
folding upward front panels by moving an arm upward, during forward movement of the blank, from a first position under the feed line to a second position above the box, such that the box advances under the upward moved arm in order to thus form a front wall and an upper wall of the box with the front panels.
In some embodiments, the folding upward of the side panels is performed during forward movement of the blank on the feed line, by positioning fingers under the side panels.
In some embodiments, the blank has at least four central panels extending successively in the direction of movement of the feed line, wherein the middle panel is formed by the third of the at least four central panels.
In some embodiments, the method also includes:
applying glue to a glue zone in at least one of two areas of the blank which overlap when the box is being formed,
pressing of the blank at the position of the glue zone after the box has been at least partially formed.
In some embodiments, prior to the pressing, a positioning finger is placed between the areas, adjacently of the glue zone, in order to prevent premature contact between the areas, after which the areas are positioned relative to each other so as to thereby at least partially form the box, after which the positioning finger is removed from between the areas.
In some embodiments, the positioning finger extends above the box in the direction of movement, such that the upper wall of the box comes to lie on the positioning finger when the arm folds the front panels upward.
In some embodiments, the method also includes folding downward side panels which are connected to the upper wall and folding upward side panels which are connected to the lower wall, so that the latter stated side panels form the side walls of the box.
In another embodiment, a device is provided for folding a box from a blank. The device includes:
a feed line with an advancing direction of movement;
a supply section for supplying the blank on the feed line such that side panels of the blank extend transversely of the feed line;
a positioning section for positioning one or more goods on a middle panel of the blank;
a feed section for advancing the blank with the one or more goods along the feed line;
a first folding section for folding upward side panels which lie diagonally of the middle panel;
a second folding section for folding upward a rear panel and holding this panel in place as rear wall of the box; and
a third folding section for folding upward front panels by moving an arm upward from a first position under the feed line to a second position above the box, such that the box comes to lie under the upward moved arm in order to thus form a front wall and an upper wall of the box with the front panels.
In some embodiments, the first folding section comprises fingers which are movable in the transverse direction relative to the feed line so as to adjust the distance between opposite fingers to a width of the blank, and wherein the fingers extend in a direction opposite to the direction of movement with a distal end which can be moved upward and downward in order to grip under said side panels which lie diagonally of the middle panel.
In some embodiments, the device also includes:
glue gun for applying glue to a glue zone in at least one of two areas of the blank which overlap when the box is being formed;
pressing element for pressing of the blank at the position of the glue zone after the box has been at least partially formed.
In some embodiments, the device includes a positioning finger situated above the feed line, which positioning finger is movable in the direction of movement so as to extend between the areas in order to prevent premature contact between the areas, after which the areas are positioned relative to each other so as to thereby at least partially form the box, after which the positioning finger is removable from between the areas.
In some embodiments, the pressing element is formed by the arm, which is further provided to move in the direction of movement during pressing of the blank at the position of the glue zone.
In some embodiments, the device further comprises a fourth folding section for folding downward side panels which are connected to the upper wall and folding upward side panels which are connected to the lower wall, so that the latter stated side panels form the side walls of the box.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018/05231 | Apr 2018 | BE | national |
| 2018/05698 | Oct 2018 | BE | national |
This application claims priority to and the benefit of: U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/729,766, filed Sep. 11, 2018, and entitled “Box Template Folding Process and Mechanisms”; Belgian Patent Application No. 2018/05231, filed Apr. 5, 2018, and entitled “Folding Sequence”; and Belgian Patent Application No. 2018/05698, filed Oct. 10, 2018, and entitled “Box Template Folding Process and Mechanisms”, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by this reference in their entireties.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1809853 | Knowlton | Jun 1931 | A |
| 2077428 | Robert | Apr 1937 | A |
| 2083351 | Sidebotham | Jul 1937 | A |
| 2181117 | Brenn | Nov 1939 | A |
| 2256082 | Feurt | Sep 1941 | A |
| 2449663 | Marcalus | Sep 1948 | A |
| 2609736 | Montgomery | Sep 1952 | A |
| 2631509 | Whytlaw | Mar 1953 | A |
| 2679195 | Whytlaw | May 1954 | A |
| 2699711 | Mobley | Jan 1955 | A |
| 2798582 | Monroe | Jul 1957 | A |
| 2904789 | Radin | Sep 1959 | A |
| 3057267 | Johnson, Jr. | Oct 1962 | A |
| 3096692 | Crathern et al. | Jul 1963 | A |
| 3105419 | La Bombard | Oct 1963 | A |
| 3108515 | Stohlquist | Oct 1963 | A |
| 3153991 | Goodrich | Oct 1964 | A |
| 3285145 | Lieberman | Nov 1966 | A |
| 3303759 | Burke | Feb 1967 | A |
| 3308723 | Bergh, Jr. | Mar 1967 | A |
| 3332207 | Midnight | Jul 1967 | A |
| 3406611 | Benjamin et al. | Oct 1968 | A |
| 3418893 | Stohlquist | Dec 1968 | A |
| 3469508 | Klapp | Sep 1969 | A |
| 3511496 | Zoglmann | May 1970 | A |
| 3543469 | Ullman | Dec 1970 | A |
| 3555776 | Nigrelli et al. | Jan 1971 | A |
| 3566755 | Smith et al. | Mar 1971 | A |
| 3611884 | Hottendorf | Oct 1971 | A |
| 3618479 | Shields | Nov 1971 | A |
| 3628408 | Rod et al. | Dec 1971 | A |
| 3646418 | Sterns et al. | Feb 1972 | A |
| 3743154 | Brewitz | Jul 1973 | A |
| 3763750 | Reichert | Oct 1973 | A |
| 3776109 | Clark et al. | Dec 1973 | A |
| 3803798 | Clancy | Apr 1974 | A |
| 3804514 | Jasinski | Apr 1974 | A |
| 3807726 | Hope | Apr 1974 | A |
| 3866391 | Puskarz | Feb 1975 | A |
| 3882764 | Johnson | May 1975 | A |
| 3886833 | Gunn et al. | Jun 1975 | A |
| 3891203 | Schiff | Jun 1975 | A |
| 3912389 | Miyamoto | Oct 1975 | A |
| 3913464 | Flaum | Oct 1975 | A |
| 3949654 | Stehlin | Apr 1976 | A |
| 3986319 | Puskarz et al. | Oct 1976 | A |
| 4033217 | Flaum et al. | Jul 1977 | A |
| 4044658 | Mitchard | Aug 1977 | A |
| 4052048 | Shirasaka | Oct 1977 | A |
| 4056025 | Rubel | Nov 1977 | A |
| 4094451 | Wescoat | Jun 1978 | A |
| 4121506 | Van Grouw | Oct 1978 | A |
| 4123966 | Buschor | Nov 1978 | A |
| 4164171 | Meyers et al. | Aug 1979 | A |
| 4173106 | Garcia et al. | Nov 1979 | A |
| 4184770 | Pinior | Jan 1980 | A |
| 4191467 | Schieck | Mar 1980 | A |
| 4221373 | Muller | Sep 1980 | A |
| 4224847 | Tokuno | Sep 1980 | A |
| 4252233 | Joice | Feb 1981 | A |
| 4261239 | Toboshi et al. | Apr 1981 | A |
| 4264200 | Tickner | Apr 1981 | A |
| 4295841 | Ward, Jr. | Oct 1981 | A |
| 4320960 | Ward et al. | Mar 1982 | A |
| 4342562 | Froeidh et al. | Aug 1982 | A |
| 4368052 | Bitsky et al. | Jan 1983 | A |
| 4373412 | Gerber et al. | Feb 1983 | A |
| 4375970 | Murphy | Mar 1983 | A |
| 4401250 | Carlsson | Aug 1983 | A |
| 4449349 | Roth | May 1984 | A |
| 4487596 | Livens et al. | Dec 1984 | A |
| 4563169 | Virta et al. | Jan 1986 | A |
| D286044 | Kando | Oct 1986 | S |
| 4638696 | Urwyler | Jan 1987 | A |
| 4684360 | Tokuno et al. | Aug 1987 | A |
| 4695006 | Pool | Sep 1987 | A |
| 4714946 | Bajgert | Dec 1987 | A |
| 4743131 | Atwell | May 1988 | A |
| 4749295 | Bankier | Jun 1988 | A |
| 4773781 | Bankier | Sep 1988 | A |
| 4838468 | Lesse | Jun 1989 | A |
| 4847632 | Norris | Jul 1989 | A |
| 4878521 | Fredrickson | Nov 1989 | A |
| 4887412 | Takamura | Dec 1989 | A |
| 4923188 | Neir | May 1990 | A |
| 4932930 | Coalier et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
| 4979932 | Burnside | Dec 1990 | A |
| 4994008 | Haake et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
| 5005816 | Stemmler | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5030192 | Sager | Jul 1991 | A |
| 5039242 | Johnson | Aug 1991 | A |
| 5046716 | Lippold | Sep 1991 | A |
| 5058872 | Gladow | Oct 1991 | A |
| 5072641 | Urban et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
| 5074836 | Fechner et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
| 5081487 | Hoyer | Jan 1992 | A |
| 5090281 | Paulson | Feb 1992 | A |
| 5094660 | Okuzawa | Mar 1992 | A |
| 5111252 | Hamada | May 1992 | A |
| 5118093 | Makiura | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5120279 | Adami | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5120297 | Adami | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5123890 | Green | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5123894 | Bergeman | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5137172 | Wagner | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5137174 | Bell | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5148654 | Kisters | Sep 1992 | A |
| 5154041 | Schneider | Oct 1992 | A |
| 5157903 | Nakashima et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
| 5197366 | Paulson | Mar 1993 | A |
| 5240243 | Gompertz | Aug 1993 | A |
| 5241353 | Maeshima | Aug 1993 | A |
| 5259255 | Urban et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
| 5263785 | Negoro | Nov 1993 | A |
| D344751 | Keong | Mar 1994 | S |
| 5321464 | Jessen | Jun 1994 | A |
| 2353419 | Smithson | Jul 1994 | A |
| 5335777 | Murphy | Aug 1994 | A |
| 5358345 | Damitio | Oct 1994 | A |
| 5369939 | Moen et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
| 5375390 | Frigo et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
| 5397423 | Bantz et al. | Mar 1995 | A |
| 5411252 | Lowell | May 1995 | A |
| 5584633 | Scharer | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5586758 | Kimura | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5624369 | Bidlack et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
| 5667468 | Bandura | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5671593 | Ginestra et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5716313 | Sigrist et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
| 5727725 | Paskvich | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5767975 | Ahlen | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5836498 | Turek | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5902223 | Simmons | May 1999 | A |
| 5927702 | Ishii | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5941451 | Dexter | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5964686 | Bidlack et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6000525 | Frulio | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6071223 | Reider et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
| 6113525 | Waechter | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6164045 | Focke | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6189933 | Felderman | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6245004 | Waters | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6321650 | Ogawa | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6397557 | Bassissi | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6428000 | Hara | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| 6471154 | Zsolt | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6553207 | Tsusaka | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 6568865 | Fujioka | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6673001 | Toth | Jan 2004 | B2 |
| 6690476 | Hren | Feb 2004 | B1 |
| 6830328 | Cuyler, Jr. | Dec 2004 | B2 |
| 6837135 | Michalski | Jan 2005 | B2 |
| 6840898 | Pettersson | Jan 2005 | B2 |
| 6910997 | Yampolsky et al. | Jun 2005 | B1 |
| 6968859 | Nagano et al. | Nov 2005 | B1 |
| 7060016 | Cipolli | Jun 2006 | B2 |
| 7100811 | Pettersson | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7115086 | Campbell, Jr. | Oct 2006 | B1 |
| 7121543 | Fujioka | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7201089 | Richter | Apr 2007 | B2 |
| 7237969 | Bartman | Jul 2007 | B2 |
| 7537557 | Holler | May 2009 | B2 |
| 7637857 | Coullery et al. | Dec 2009 | B2 |
| 7641190 | Hara | Jan 2010 | B2 |
| 7647752 | Magnell | Jan 2010 | B2 |
| 7648451 | Calugi | Jan 2010 | B2 |
| 7648596 | Sharpe et al. | Jan 2010 | B2 |
| 7690099 | Bapst et al. | Apr 2010 | B2 |
| 7735299 | Cash, III | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 7739856 | Cash, III | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 7997578 | Saito | Aug 2011 | B2 |
| D703246 | Pettersson et al. | Apr 2014 | S |
| 8999108 | Nagao et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9069151 | Conner | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9120284 | Capoia | Sep 2015 | B2 |
| 9199794 | Nadachi et al. | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 9329565 | Osaki | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9352526 | Pettersson et al. | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9434496 | Sytema | Sep 2016 | B2 |
| 9924502 | Choi | Mar 2018 | B2 |
| 9969142 | Pettersson et al. | May 2018 | B2 |
| 10093438 | Pettersson | Oct 2018 | B2 |
| 10155352 | Sytema | Dec 2018 | B2 |
| 10286621 | Toro | May 2019 | B2 |
| 10583943 | Feijen | Mar 2020 | B2 |
| 10836516 | Pettersson | Nov 2020 | B2 |
| 10836517 | Ponti | Nov 2020 | B2 |
| 20020017754 | Kang | Feb 2002 | A1 |
| 20020066683 | Sanders | Jun 2002 | A1 |
| 20020091050 | Bacciottini | Jul 2002 | A1 |
| 20020115548 | Lin et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
| 20020125712 | Felderman | Sep 2002 | A1 |
| 20020139890 | Toth | Oct 2002 | A1 |
| 20030102244 | Sanders | Jun 2003 | A1 |
| 20030217628 | Michalski | Nov 2003 | A1 |
| 20040060264 | Miller | Apr 2004 | A1 |
| 20040082453 | Pettersson | Apr 2004 | A1 |
| 20040092374 | Chiu-Fu | May 2004 | A1 |
| 20040144555 | Buekers et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
| 20040173068 | Nokihisa | Sep 2004 | A1 |
| 20040198577 | Blumle | Oct 2004 | A1 |
| 20040214703 | Berens et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
| 20040261365 | White | Dec 2004 | A1 |
| 20050079965 | Moshier et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
| 20050103923 | Pettersson | May 2005 | A1 |
| 20050215409 | Abramson et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050280202 | Vila | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| 20060178248 | Coullery et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
| 20060180438 | Mosli et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
| 20060180991 | Nakahata et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
| 20060181008 | Van Gerven | Aug 2006 | A1 |
| 20070079575 | Monti | Apr 2007 | A1 |
| 20070227927 | Coltri-Johnson | Oct 2007 | A1 |
| 20070228119 | Barner | Oct 2007 | A1 |
| 20070287623 | Carlson | Dec 2007 | A1 |
| 20070289253 | Miller | Dec 2007 | A1 |
| 20080020916 | Magnell | Jan 2008 | A1 |
| 20080037273 | Muehlemann et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080066632 | Raueiser | Mar 2008 | A1 |
| 20080115641 | Freyburger et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
| 20080148917 | Pettersson | Jun 2008 | A1 |
| 20080300120 | Sato | Dec 2008 | A1 |
| 20090062098 | Inoue et al. | Mar 2009 | A1 |
| 20090178528 | Adami | Jul 2009 | A1 |
| 20090199527 | Wehr et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
| 20100012628 | Koshy et al. | Jan 2010 | A1 |
| 20100041534 | Harding | Feb 2010 | A1 |
| 20100111584 | Shiohara | May 2010 | A1 |
| 20100206582 | Meyyappan et al. | Aug 2010 | A1 |
| 20100210439 | Goto | Aug 2010 | A1 |
| 20110026999 | Kohira | Feb 2011 | A1 |
| 20110053746 | Desertot et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
| 20110092351 | Hatano | Apr 2011 | A1 |
| 20110099782 | Schonberger | May 2011 | A1 |
| 20110110749 | Carter et al. | May 2011 | A1 |
| 20110171002 | Pettersson | Jul 2011 | A1 |
| 20110229191 | Nomi | Sep 2011 | A1 |
| 20110230325 | Harding et al. | Sep 2011 | A1 |
| 20110319242 | Pettersson | Sep 2011 | A1 |
| 20110283855 | Kwarta et al. | Nov 2011 | A1 |
| 20120021884 | Musha | Jan 2012 | A1 |
| 20120106963 | Huang et al. | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20120122640 | Pazdernik et al. | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20120129670 | Pettersson et al. | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20120139670 | Yamagata | Jun 2012 | A1 |
| 20120142512 | Keller | Jun 2012 | A1 |
| 20120242512 | Horstemeyer | Sep 2012 | A1 |
| 20120319920 | Athley et al. | Dec 2012 | A1 |
| 20120328253 | Hurley et al. | Dec 2012 | A1 |
| 20130000252 | Pettersson et al. | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130045847 | Capoia | Feb 2013 | A1 |
| 20130104718 | Tai | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20130108227 | Conner | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20130130877 | Su | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20130146355 | Strasser et al. | Jun 2013 | A1 |
| 20130210597 | Pettersson | Aug 2013 | A1 |
| 20130294735 | Burris et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20130333538 | Long et al. | Dec 2013 | A1 |
| 20140078635 | Conner et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140091511 | Martin | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140101929 | Kim | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140140671 | Islam | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140315701 | Pettersson | Oct 2014 | A1 |
| 20140336026 | Pettersson | Nov 2014 | A1 |
| 20140357463 | Kojima | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20150018189 | Pettersson et al. | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150019387 | Pettersson | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150053349 | Mori et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150055926 | Strasser et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150103923 | Ramasubramonian et al. | Apr 2015 | A1 |
| 20150148210 | Robert | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150155697 | Loveless et al. | Jun 2015 | A1 |
| 20150224731 | Ponti | Aug 2015 | A1 |
| 20150273897 | Kato | Oct 2015 | A1 |
| 20150355429 | Villegas et al. | Dec 2015 | A1 |
| 20150360433 | Feijen | Dec 2015 | A1 |
| 20150360801 | Sytema | Dec 2015 | A1 |
| 20160001441 | Osterhout et al. | Jan 2016 | A1 |
| 20160049782 | Strasser et al. | Feb 2016 | A1 |
| 20160122044 | Evers | May 2016 | A1 |
| 20160184142 | Vanvalkenburgh et al. | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160185065 | Sytema | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160185475 | Pettersson et al. | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160241468 | Sabella et al. | Aug 2016 | A1 |
| 20160340067 | Winkler et al. | Nov 2016 | A1 |
| 20170190134 | van der Dong | Jul 2017 | A1 |
| 20170355166 | Jonker | Dec 2017 | A1 |
| 20170361560 | Osterhout | Dec 2017 | A1 |
| 20180178476 | Pettersson et al. | Jun 2018 | A1 |
| 20180201465 | Osterhout | Jul 2018 | A1 |
| 20180265228 | Hagestedt | Sep 2018 | A1 |
| 20190002137 | Pettersson | Jan 2019 | A1 |
| 20190184670 | Davies et al. | Jun 2019 | A1 |
| 20190308383 | Provoost et al. | Oct 2019 | A1 |
| 20190329513 | Pettersson | Oct 2019 | A1 |
| 20200031506 | Ponti | Jan 2020 | A1 |
| 20200101686 | Fredander et al. | Apr 2020 | A1 |
| 20200407087 | Pettersson | Dec 2020 | A1 |
| 20210001583 | Osterhout | Jan 2021 | A1 |
| 20210039347 | Pettersson et al. | Feb 2021 | A1 |
| 20210261281 | Engleman et al. | Aug 2021 | A1 |
| 20210370633 | Provoost et al. | Dec 2021 | A1 |
| 20210371229 | Osterhout | Dec 2021 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2164350 | May 1994 | CN |
| 1191833 | Sep 1998 | CN |
| 1366487 | Aug 2002 | CN |
| 1449966 | Oct 2003 | CN |
| 1876361 | Dec 2006 | CN |
| 2925862 | Jul 2007 | CN |
| 201941185 | Aug 2011 | CN |
| 201990294 | Sep 2011 | CN |
| 102371705 | Mar 2012 | CN |
| 202412794 | Sep 2012 | CN |
| 102753442 | Oct 2012 | CN |
| 102791581 | Nov 2012 | CN |
| 104169073 | Nov 2014 | CN |
| 104185538 | Dec 2014 | CN |
| 102941592 | Apr 2015 | CN |
| 104812560 | Jul 2015 | CN |
| 104890208 | Sep 2015 | CN |
| 104985868 | Oct 2015 | CN |
| 204773785 | Nov 2015 | CN |
| 106079570 | Nov 2016 | CN |
| 107614253 | Jan 2018 | CN |
| 1082227 | May 1960 | DE |
| 1212854 | Mar 1966 | DE |
| 2700004 | Jul 1978 | DE |
| 2819000 | Nov 1978 | DE |
| 3825506 | Feb 1990 | DE |
| 19541061 | Nov 1996 | DE |
| 10355544 | Jun 2005 | DE |
| 102005063193 | Jul 2007 | DE |
| 102008035278 | Apr 2010 | DE |
| 30366 | Jun 1981 | EP |
| 0234228 | Sep 1987 | EP |
| 359005 | Mar 1990 | EP |
| 650827 | May 1995 | EP |
| 889779 | Jan 1999 | EP |
| 903219 | Mar 1999 | EP |
| 1065162 | Jan 2001 | EP |
| 1223107 | Jul 2002 | EP |
| 1373112 | Jan 2004 | EP |
| 1428759 | Jun 2004 | EP |
| 1997736 | Dec 2008 | EP |
| 1497049 | Mar 2010 | EP |
| 2228206 | Sep 2010 | EP |
| 2377764 | Oct 2011 | EP |
| 3231594 | Oct 2017 | EP |
| 428967 | Sep 1911 | FR |
| 1020458 | Feb 1953 | FR |
| 1592372 | May 1970 | FR |
| 2280484 | Feb 1976 | FR |
| 2626642 | Aug 1989 | FR |
| 2721301 | Dec 1995 | FR |
| 2770445 | May 1999 | FR |
| 2808722 | Nov 2001 | FR |
| 2814393 | Mar 2002 | FR |
| 2976561 | Dec 2012 | FR |
| 0166622 | Jul 1921 | GB |
| 983946 | Feb 1965 | GB |
| 1362060 | Jul 1974 | GB |
| 49-099239 | Sep 1974 | JP |
| 50-078616 | Jun 1975 | JP |
| 51-027619 | Mar 1976 | JP |
| S5557984 | Apr 1980 | JP |
| S5689937 | Jul 1981 | JP |
| S59176836 | Oct 1984 | JP |
| 59-198243 | Nov 1984 | JP |
| S61118720 | Jul 1986 | JP |
| 62-172032 | Oct 1987 | JP |
| 01-133164 | May 1989 | JP |
| 03-070927 | Mar 1991 | JP |
| 3089399 | Sep 1991 | JP |
| 06-123606 | May 1994 | JP |
| 07-156305 | Jun 1995 | JP |
| H08238690 | Sep 1996 | JP |
| H08333036 | Dec 1996 | JP |
| 09-506847 | Jul 1997 | JP |
| 2000323324 | Nov 2000 | JP |
| 2003079446 | Mar 2003 | JP |
| 2003-112849 | Apr 2003 | JP |
| 2003-194516 | Jul 2003 | JP |
| 2004-330351 | Nov 2004 | JP |
| 2005067019 | Mar 2005 | JP |
| 2005219798 | Aug 2005 | JP |
| 2006289914 | Oct 2006 | JP |
| 2007-331810 | Dec 2007 | JP |
| 2008254789 | Oct 2008 | JP |
| 2009-023074 | Feb 2009 | JP |
| 2009132049 | Jun 2009 | JP |
| 2010-012628 | Jan 2010 | JP |
| 2011520674 | Jul 2011 | JP |
| 2011230385 | Nov 2011 | JP |
| 2015-502273 | Jan 2015 | JP |
| 2016-074133 | May 2016 | JP |
| 2015030 | Jun 1994 | RU |
| 2004136918 | May 2006 | RU |
| 2334668 | Sep 2008 | RU |
| 2345893 | Feb 2009 | RU |
| 2398674 | Sep 2010 | RU |
| 2014123534 | Dec 2015 | RU |
| 2014123562 | Dec 2015 | RU |
| 450829 | Aug 1987 | SE |
| 0450829 | Aug 1987 | SE |
| 515630 | Sep 2001 | SE |
| 40025 | Dec 1934 | SU |
| 992220 | Jan 1983 | SU |
| 1054863 | Nov 1983 | SU |
| 1121156 | Oct 1984 | SU |
| 1676825 | Sep 1991 | SU |
| 1718783 | Mar 1992 | SU |
| 1756211 | Aug 1992 | SU |
| 9610518 | Apr 1996 | WO |
| 199614773 | Jun 1996 | WO |
| 1999017923 | Apr 1999 | WO |
| 0021713 | Apr 2000 | WO |
| 0104017 | Jan 2001 | WO |
| 0185408 | Nov 2001 | WO |
| 2003089163 | Oct 2003 | WO |
| 0397340 | Nov 2003 | WO |
| 2009093936 | Jul 2009 | WO |
| 2010091043 | Aug 2010 | WO |
| 2011007237 | Jan 2011 | WO |
| 2011100078 | Aug 2011 | WO |
| 2011135433 | Nov 2011 | WO |
| 2012003167 | Jan 2012 | WO |
| 2013071073 | May 2013 | WO |
| 2013071080 | Jul 2013 | WO |
| 2013106180 | Jul 2013 | WO |
| 2013114057 | Aug 2013 | WO |
| 2014048934 | Apr 2014 | WO |
| 2014117816 | Aug 2014 | WO |
| 2014117817 | Aug 2014 | WO |
| 2015173745 | Nov 2015 | WO |
| 2016176271 | Nov 2016 | WO |
| 2017203399 | Nov 2017 | WO |
| 2017203401 | Nov 2017 | WO |
| 2017218296 | Dec 2017 | WO |
| 2017218297 | Dec 2017 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| U.S. Appl. No. 62/447,714, filed Jan. 18, 2017, Osterhout. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/872,770, filed Jan. 16, 2018, Osterhout. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/310,406, filed Dec. 14, 2018, Pettersson et al. |
| European Search Report for EP80107577.1 dated Mar. 2, 1981. |
| European Search Report for EP89115688.7 dated Nov. 2, 1989. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for application No. PCT/US2010/022983 dated Apr. 13, 2010. |
| International Search Report for PCT/US2011/042096 dated Oct. 28, 2011. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2012/064414 dated Jan. 25, 2013. |
| European Search Report for EP10739040 dated Jan. 31, 2013. |
| International Search Report and Wirtten Opinion for application No. PCT/US2012/070719 dated Feb. 25, 2013. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2012/064403 dated Apr. 8, 2013. |
| European Search Report for EP12848321 dated Jul. 1, 2015. |
| European Search Report for EP12865028 dated Jul. 7, 2015. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2015/67375 dated Mar. 11, 2016. |
| European Search Report for EP16169030 dated Dec. 16, 2016, dated Jan. 5, 2017. |
| European Search Report for application No. EP17175751 dated Aug. 25, 2017. |
| Japanese Office Action for application No. 2017-000038 dated Sep. 22, 2017. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for application No. PCT/US2017/036603 dated Oct. 18, 2017. |
| International Search Report and Written Opininon for application No. PCT/US2017/036606 dated Oct. 24, 2017. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US18/14275 dated Apr. 4, 2018. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2018/020928 dated Jun. 7, 2018. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2019/038142 dated Aug. 2, 2019. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion PCT/IB2019/052793 dated Nov. 11, 2019. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2019/049102 dated Dec. 2, 2019. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US19/62696 dated Feb. 4, 2020. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/147,787, Aug. 27, 2014, Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/147,787, Apr. 17, 2015, Final Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/147,787, Sep. 30, 2015, Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/147,787, Feb. 16, 2016, Final Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/147,787, Oct. 28, 2016, Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/147,787, Mar. 7, 2017, Final Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/147,787, Jun. 26, 2017, Notice of Allowance. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/805,602, Dec. 2, 2015, Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/805,602, Mar. 21, 2016, Notice of Allowance. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/357,183, Jul. 16, 2015, Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/357,183, Nov. 12, 2015, Final Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/357,183, Jan. 29, 2016, Notice of Allowance. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/370,729, Jan. 26, 2017, Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/370,729, Jul. 12, 2017, Final Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/370,729, Dec. 19, 2017, Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/370,729, May 21, 2018, Notice of Allowance. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/357,190, Feb. 17, 2017, Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/357,190, Aug. 1, 2017, Final Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/357,190, Dec. 5, 2017, Notice of Allowance. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/357,190, Jan. 12, 2018, Notice of Allowance. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 29/419,922, Aug. 6, 2013, Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 29/419,922, Nov. 29, 2013, Notice of Allowance. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/901,089, Apr. 13, 2020, Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/970,224, May 30, 2018, Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/970,224, Aug. 13, 2018, Notice of Allowance. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/109,261, Apr. 28, 2020, Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/616,688, Mar. 19, 2020, Office Action. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/872,770, Mar. 27, 2020, Office Action. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion PCT/IB2019/052794 dated Jun. 19, 2019. |
| Final Office Action received for U.S. Appl. No. 14/370,729 dated Jul. 12, 2017. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion received for PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/049535, dated Jun. 9, 2020, 14 pages. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion received for PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2020/012519, dated Jun. 26, 2020, 20 pages. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion, PCT/US2012/064414, US Search Authority, Completed Jan. 4, 2013, dated Jan. 25, 2013. |
| Notification Concerning Transmittal of International Preliminary Report on Patentability for corresponding PCT Application No. PCT/IB2015/054179, dated Dec. 15, 2016, 10 pages. |
| Office Action received for U.S. Appl. No. 14/370,729, dated Dec. 15, 2017. |
| Office Action received for U.S. Appl. No. 14/370,729 dated Jan. 26, 2017. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for corresponding PCT Application No. PCT/IB2015/054179, dated Aug. 28, 2015, 13 pages. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in PCT/US2018/032311 dated Sep. 20, 2018. |
| Non-Final Office Action received for U.S. Appl. No. 15/872,770, dated Nov. 10, 2020, 24 pages. |
| Non-Final Office Action received for U.S. Appl. No. 16/310,406, dated Aug. 19, 2020, 22 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/435/252, filed Jun. 7, 2019. |
| Non-Final Office Action received for U.S. Appl. No. 16/375,579, dated Feb. 18, 2021, 12 pages. |
| Non-Final Office Action received for U.S. Appl. No. 16/619,818, dated Aug. 31, 2021, 13 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190308761 A1 | Oct 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62729766 | Sep 2018 | US |
