Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6726613
-
Patent Number
6,726,613
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, November 12, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 27, 200421 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Gerrity; Stephen F.
- Desai; Hemant M.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 493 180
- 493 183
- 493 80
- 493 81
- 493 124
- 493 309
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A method and apparatus for squaring knocked down slotted boxes employs an L-shaped support and forming platform onto which a partially opened box is applied so that the junction of the two legs of the L-shape is received within the box and a leading flap (and its fold line connection to the box) and a trailing flap (and its fold line connection to the box) each contact one of the legs to fold these flaps outward and tend to square the box. The trailing flap is moved from one leg onto the other which normally will be substantially flat and horizontal so that the leading and trailing flaps are folded perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve portion of the box while the side flaps positioned between the leading and trailing flaps remain in the plane of their respective box wall as the carton is moved into an operating station.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to simplified a manual method and a facilitating apparatus for erecting and squaring a knocked down cartons
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One of the principal packaging cartons used in commerce is formed a slotted knocked down box blank, which normally consist of a sleeve with closure flaps in the form of bottom forming flaps foldably connected to one end of the sleeve and top closure flaps foldably connected to the other end of the sleeve. Such sleeves are usually 4 sided i.e. having 4 walls connected together at the intersection of a pair of adjacent walls by a manufacturer's joint, These knocked down box blanks are shipped flat (knocked down i.e. with opposite walls in face to face relationship) and are then erected, squared and formed into a box in the packager's plant by closing the flaps at one end of the sleeve (usually the bottom flaps) form.
Many different systems have been devised for mechanically opening squaring and forming these blanks into cartons with one end closed and the opposite end open to permit goods to be packed therein. These systems are generally either automatic i.e. done by machinery or manual. The so formed open ended cartons are then the filled with product (again either automatically by equipment or manually, the carton closed by closing systems that mechanically or manually fold the closure flaps (top flaps) into closed position substantially perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve to provide a filled and closed carton ready for shipping.
Mechanical devices include devices that move the blank through a series of stations that perform the desired operations in sequence along the way. In many of these systems some form of stop against which the blank is force is used to open and square the sleeve and plows are used to fold the closure flaps into closed position. The goods to be packaged may as above indicated be manually packed or automatically packed into the carton. In manual systems the sleeve supported on a table or the like on the ends of its closure flaps at one of the sleeve (flaps parallel to their respective side walls of the sleeve) is forces against a stop and squared and the uppermost set of flaps are folded to closed position and fixed in this closed position by taping, stapling gluing etc. in a closing station. The open-ended cartons so formed are then ready for filling and closing. This filling and closing in a manual system may be done in the same or a different closing station. Obviously the axial length of the carton supported on the ends of flaps at one end of the sleeve and with the other end closed is shorter than the axial length of the carton with both ends closed, thus the relative spacing between the support table and the closing equipment (taping, stapling gluing etc. equipment) must be change for closing the packed box necessitating an adjustable table height in a single station packing system so that the height may be change when sealing tone end of the empty sleeve and sealing the filled and closed box.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple method and apparatus to facilitate the setting up or squaring of a knocked down sleeve type folding (slotted) box and forming it into a box.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus wherein the height of the supporting table or the like need not be changed when closing the sleeve to form the open ended box or when closing the filled box.
Broadly the present invention relates to a method of squaring a knocked down folding box formed by a sleeve with a first set of closure flaps connected by a first set of fold lines to one end of said sleeve and a second set of closure flaps connected by a second set of fold lines to a second end of said sleeve remote from said one end of said sleeve, said method comprising partially opening said box and moving said box toward an L-shaped support and forming platform formed by a pair of legs interconnected by a filleted corner so that said filleted corner is received within said sleeve and a leading flap of said first set flaps is moved against a first substantially horizontal leg of said pair of legs to fold said leading flap on its fold line of said first set of fold lines connecting it to a leading wall of said sleeve outward relative to said sleeve and a trailing flap of said first set of flaps is moved against a second of said pair of legs to fold said trailing flap on its fold line of said first set of fold lines connecting it to a trailing wall of said sleeve outward relative to said sleeve and moving said box along said legs to bring said trailing flap onto said first leg and position said leading and trailing flaps substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said sleeve to provide said box in a substantially squared condition.
Preferably said second set of flaps are folded on their respective fold lines of said second set of fold lines to close one end of said sleeve and said box is moved on said first leg into a closing station wherein said second set of flaps are secured in closed position substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and closing said sleeve to form an open box.
Preferably said method further comprises inverting said open box and placing same on said one leg, folding said first set of flaps into a closed position and moving said box with said first set of flaps folded to closed position on said first leg into said closing station wherein said first set of flaps are secured in closed position substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and closing said sleeve to form a closed box.
Preferably side flaps of said first set of flaps each is connected to its adjacent side wall of said sleeve interconnecting said leading and trailing walls of said sleeve by its side fold line of said first set of fold lines and said side flaps remain substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis when said box is squared and moved along said first leg into said closing station.
Preferably said leading wall is forced against a stop in said closing station to define the position of said leading wall in said closing station and to aid in ensuring said box is in said squared condition.
Broadly the present invention also relates to an apparatus for squaring a knocked down folding box comprises an L-shaped support and forming platform, said L-shaped support and forming platform being formed by a first substantially horizontal leg and a second leg extending downward from one end of said first leg, said legs being interconnected at their adjacent ends by a filleted corner, means for adjusting the width of said L-shaped support and forming platform to accommodate different sizes of said folding boxes, box operating station having means for operating on said box positioned spaced above said first leg and means for adjusting the spacing of said operating means relative to said first leg to accommodate different lengths of said boxes.
Preferably said box operating means comprises a box closure means and said operating station has a stop against which said box is moved to ensure said box is square in said closure station.
Preferably said operating station further includes ejector means for ejecting a closed box from said operating station after said box has been closed. Preferably said stop is part of said ejector means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
Further features, objects and advantages will be evident from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which;
FIG. 1
is an isometric view of a typical slotted carton formed from a knocked down blank.
FIG. 2
is a schematic isometric illustration of a device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for erecting (squaring and closing one end of cartons such as the one illustrated in FIG.
1
.
FIGS. 3A
to
3
F schematic illustration of the sequence of steps that are preferably used in practicing the present invention.
FIGS. 4
,
5
and
6
schematically show in greater detail than in
FIG. 3
the main steps in the sequence of forming of a box with one end closed and of the equipment employed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The method (sequence of steps) and the essential elements of the apparatus for carrying out the present invention are illustrated in FIG.
1
.
As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 4
and the right hand image of
FIG. 3A
a box or carton
10
in the form of a slotted knocked down box
10
having a first set of closure flaps
12
(only 2 of 4 shown in
FIG. 1
) connected to the walls of the sleeve portion
14
of the box or box blank
10
by a first set of fold lines
16
The first set of flaps
12
includes a leading flap
18
(see
FIGS. 3
,
4
, and
5
) (leading in the direction of movement of the carton when closing the flaps
12
) and a trailing flap
20
(see
FIGS. 1
,
3
,
4
,
5
and
6
) (trailing in the direction of movement of the carton when closing the flaps
12
) each connected to its adjacent wall of the sleeve
14
by one of the first set of fold lines
16
namely fold lines
22
and
24
respectively (see
FIGS. 1
,
3
,
4
5
and
6
). A second set of closure flaps
28
is connected to the opposite end of the sleeve
14
to the flaps
12
by a second set of fold lines
30
. The flaps
12
and set of fold lines
16
are essentially the same as the flaps
28
and fold lines
30
and function in essentially the same manner to close the opposite ends of the sleeve
14
as will be described below. The flaps
12
may form the bottom of the filled carton and the flaps
28
the top or vice versa.
A device
100
for erecting and closing the cartons or boxes
10
is form by an L shaped support and forming platform
40
formed by a pair of legs
42
and
44
interconnected at their adjacent ends by a curved section that forms a fillet connection
46
. The first leg
42
of the pair of legs preferably is substantially horizontal and the second leg
44
of the pair of legs extends downward there from so that the included angle θ there between is preferably less than 90° i.e. in the order of about 65 to about 80°. This selection of the preferred size of the included angle θ is based on the functioning of the device to open and square the carton, and it's preferred size is selected so that the free end
48
of the downwardly extending second leg
44
has lees tendency to interfere with the operator's legs.
The filleted connection
46
has a radius r to permit the trailing end of the blank
10
as it is being erected to move smoothly from the downwardly extending leg
44
over the curved section
46
and onto the leg
42
. It has been found that this radius r for efficient operation should be at least about 2 inches (5 centimeters).
In the illustrated arrangement the legs
42
and
44
are each formed by a pair of parallel members; leg
42
by members
42
A and
42
B and leg
44
; by members
44
A and
44
B interconnected by their respective curved sections
46
A and
46
B.
In some cases it may be desirable to make the system adjustable for different sized boxes for use in plants where different sized boxes are to be processed on the same machine. To accommodate this the spacing between the members
42
A,
44
A and
46
A and their respective opposed or cooperating members
42
B,
44
B and
46
B may be made adjustable. For example a suitable adjustment mechanism which in the illustrated arrangement comprises a screw type adjuster
50
expands or reduces the spacing between the members
42
A,
44
A and
46
A and their respective opposed or cooperating members
42
B,
44
B and
46
B may be provided to adjust the width of the support
40
(i.e. legs
42
and
44
) as illustrated by the arrow
52
(see
FIG. 2
) to accommodate different sized boxes
10
.
Positioned adjacent to the end of the leg
42
remote from leg
44
is an operating station
110
that may incorporate any suitable operating mechanism such as a labeler or closing mechanism or the like. In the illustrated arrangement a flap sealer
60
which may take the form of a stapler, taper or gluer or any other suitable flap-sealing device has been shown. If multiple size boxes are to be processed the size of the operating station
110
e.g. the flap sealer
60
may have to be change either by physically changing the sealer or by adjusting the effective size of the sealer depending on the type of sealer being used and the height of this device
60
relative to the leg
42
may have to be adjusted as indicated by the arrow
62
to accommodate sleeves
14
of different axial lengths.
The station
110
preferably will also include a squaring ejector
70
which in the illustrated arrangement is formed by a bar
72
supported by arms
74
and biased to ejecting position (as indicated in dash lines in
FIG. 2
) by a biasing means such as pneumatic means
76
but other means may be used. The bar
72
is oriented to be parallel to the surface of the leg
42
and perpendicular to the intended direction of movement of the carton
10
into the station
110
and is spaced above the table or leg
42
by a distance such that the leading flap
18
as will be described below may pass under it and the bar contact directly the leading wall of the carton or box
10
and aid in squaring the box
10
.
The stroke of the bar
72
is set so that when in fully retracted position it insures that the carton
10
being operated upon in the operating station
110
e.g. the sealer
60
are relatively position as desired with the leading wall of the sleeve
14
pressed against the bar
72
. As will be described below, when the operation in the operating station
110
is completed the carton
10
is released and the sealer
60
retracted if required and the bar
72
is moved to eject the carton from the sealing or closing station
110
by the biasing means
76
.
In the illustrated system conventional plowing guides not shown may be provided to contact sidewalls of the sleeve
14
and aid in squaring the box
10
.
It will be apparent that for more versatile machines the position of the bar
72
for positioning different sized boxes
10
will be made adjustable.
As shown in
FIG. 3A
the partially opened box blank
10
is manually (or mechanically) moved down as indicated by the arrow
200
to a position wherein the curved portion
46
connecting the legs
42
and
44
is received within the sleeve portion
14
of the box
10
. In this position the leading flap
18
and its connecting fold line, lead fold line
22
, are moved against the support surface of the leg
42
to fold the flap
18
outward relative to the sleeve
14
and similarly the tailing flap
20
and its connecting fold line, trailing fold line
24
, are moved against the surface of the leg
44
to fold the flap
20
outward relative to the sleeve
14
as shown in the FIG.
3
A.
It is preferred but not necessary that the leading and trail flaps
18
and
20
be major (longer than the minor flaps as measured parallel to their fold line connection to the sleeve
14
) flaps of the box
10
as illustrated so that the side flaps
32
are formed by minor flaps (shorter than the major flaps as measured parallel to their fold line connection to the sleeve
14
) only one shown (see FIGS.
1
and
3
). Obviously in a square cross section box
10
all flaps have essentially the same length.
The opened and reasonably squared carton
10
is moved as indicated by the arrow
210
(see
FIG. 3B
) with the flaps
18
and
20
and their respective fold lines
22
and
24
held in contact with the surfaces of the legs
42
and
44
(
FIG. 3A
) so that the trailing fold line
24
and flap
20
are moved into position on the supporting surface of the leg
42
and the flaps
18
and
20
extend substantially perpendicular to the tubular axis
400
(see FIGS.
1
and
FIG. 3B
) of the sleeve
14
and parallel to the surface of leg
42
. If an ejector
70
is provided the leading wall
14
L (see
FIGS. 3A and 3B
and
FIG. 4
) into contact with the bar
72
which finalizes the squaring of the box
10
(see
FIGS. 4 and 5
and FIG.
3
B). In this position the other flaps
28
(which will normally form the bottom of the packed box
10
) are folded into closed position in the illustrated arrangement manually (see FIG.
5
).
The box
10
with the flaps
28
at the end not in contact with the leg
42
folded into closed position is moved manually into the operating station
110
forcing the bar
72
rearward against the biasing means
70
and when properly positioned in this station
110
the sealer
60
or the like is activated in this case to secure the flaps
28
in closed position. In the illustrated arrangement an adhesive type tape
80
is applied to tape the flaps
28
in closed position and then the sealer
60
retracts and the carton
10
with one end closed is ejected from the station
110
by movement of the bar
72
to its normal or rest position as shown in Stages
1
and
2
see that arrow
220
(FIG.
3
C and FIG.
6
).
Next the carton
10
is inverted to position the closed end (flaps
28
) on the leg
42
and either the leading or trailing wall of the sleeve in the preceding operations leading (in the illustration the trailing flap
20
has become the leading flap in FIG.
3
D and preferably in contact with the bar
72
and the carton
10
may be packed with goods as indicated by the arrows
230
(see FIG.
3
D).
After the carton
10
has been filled the set of flaps
12
(flaps
18
,
20
32
etc.) are folded on their respective fold line of the set of fold lines
16
to close the open end of the box
10
(in the same manner as the flaps
28
were folded to closed position (see
FIG. 5
) and the box moved as shown in
FIG. 3E
which is essentially the same as
FIG. 3C
described above into the operating station
110
and the sealer
60
or the like activated to perform its function e.g. to secure the flaps
12
in closed position (as illustrated), in the illustrated arrangement by applying a second tape
82
similar to the tape
80
described above to provide a filled and closed carton ready for shipment.
As indicated in
FIG. 3F
generally a plurality of such filed and closed cartons or boxes
10
are stacked on a suitable pallet
90
or the like to form a pallet load and such loads are then shipped as required.
Having described the invention, modifications will be evident to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A method of squaring a knocked down folding box formed by a sleeve with a first set of closure flaps connected by a first set of fold lines to one end of said sleeve and a second set of closure flaps connected by a second set of fold lines to a second end of said sleeve remote from said one end of said sleeve, said method comprising partially opening said box and moving said box toward an L-shaped support and forming platform formed by a pair of legs interconnected by a filleted corner so that said filleted corner is received within said sleeve and a leading flap of said first set of flaps is moved against a first substantially horizontal leg of said pair of legs to fold said leading flap on its fold line of said first set of fold lines connecting it to a leading wall of said sleeve outward relative to said sleeve and a tailing flap of said first set of flaps is moved against a second leg of said pair of legs to fold said trailing flap on its fold line of said first set of fold lines connecting it to a trailing wall of said sleeve outward relative to said sleeve and moving said box along said legs to bring said trailing flap onto said first leg and position said leading and trailing flaps substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said sleeve to provide said box in a substantially squared condition.
- 2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said second set of flaps are then folded on their respective fold lines of said second set of fold lines to close one end of said sleeve and said box is moved on said first leg into a closing station wherein said second set of flaps are secured in closed position substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and closing said sleeve to form an open box.
- 3. A method as defined in claim 2 further comprising inverting said open box and placing same on said first leg, folding said first set of flaps into closed position and moving said box with said first set of flaps folded to closed position on said first leg into said closing station without adjusting the relative positions of said closure station and said first leg and securing said first set of flaps in closed position substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and closing said sleeve to form a closed box.
- 4. A method as defined in claim 3 wherein side flaps of said first set of flaps each connected with its adjacent side wall of said sleeve interconnecting said leading and trailing walls of said sleeve by its side fold line of said first set of fold lines and said side flaps remain substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis when said box is squared and moved along said first leg into said closing station.
- 5. A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said leading wall is forced against a stop in said closing station to define the position of said leading wall in said closing station and to aid in ensuring said box is in said squared condition.
- 6. A method as defined in claim 3 wherein said leading wall is forced against a stop in said closing station to define the position of said leading wall in said closing station and to aid in ensuring said box is in said squared condition.
- 7. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein side flaps of said first set of flaps each connected with its adjacent side wall of said sleeve interconnecting said leading and trailing walls of said sleeve by its side fold line of said first set of fold lines and said side flaps remain substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis when said box is squared and moved along said first leg into said closing station.
- 8. A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said leading wall is forced against a stop in said closing station to define the position of said leading wall in said closing station and to aid in ensuring said box is in said squared condition.
- 9. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said leading wall is forced against a stop in said closing station to define the position of said leading wall in said closing station and to aid in ensuring said box is in said squared condition.
- 10. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein side flaps of said first set of flaps each connected to its adjacent side wall of said sleeve interconnecting said leading and trailing walls of said sleeve by its side fold line of said first set of fold lines and said side flaps remain substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis when said box is squared and moved along said first leg into said closing station.
- 11. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said leading wall is forced against a stop in said closing station to define the position of said leading wall in said closing station and to aid in ensuring said box is in said squared condition.
- 12. An apparatus for squaring a knocked down folding box comprises a L-shaped support and forming platform, said L-shaped support and forming platform being formed by a pair of L-shaped supports, each said L-shaped support being formed by a first substantially horizontal leg and a second leg extending downward from one end of said first leg, said legs being interconnected at their adjacent ends by a filleted corner, means for adjusting the width of said L-shaped support and forming platform to accommodate different sizes of said folding boxes, box operating station having means for operating on said box positioned spaced above said first leg and means for adjusting the spacing of said operating means relative to said first leg to accommodate different lengths of said boxes.
- 13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said box operating means comprises a box closure means and said operating station has a stop against which said box is moved to ensure said box is square in said box closure means.
- 14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said operating station further includes ejector means for ejecting a box from said operating station.
- 15. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said stop is part of said ejector means.
- 16. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said operating station further includes ejector means for ejecting a box from said operating station.
US Referenced Citations (6)