초록 ▼

The present invention provides an apparatus that can erect a tray from a generally flat, rectangular blank. The tray erector incorporates an inventory section, a transfer section, a construction section and an exit section. The inventory section has a hopper with flanges and tab stops, which hopper

The present invention provides an apparatus that can erect a tray from a generally flat, rectangular blank. The tray erector incorporates an inventory section, a transfer section, a construction section and an exit section. The inventory section has a hopper with flanges and tab stops, which hopper stores an inventory of stacked, flat blanks that will eventually become the trays. In the transfer section, a blank is transferred from the inventory section to the construction section of the present erector. The construction section includes a setup assembly and a locking assembly. The setup assembly folds the pre-cut and scored end and side panels of the tray blank up into approximately perpendicular planes in relation to the plane of the bottom panel of the blank. The end and side panels are folded up from the plane of the bottom panel of the blank in preparation for the locking of the corner webs. While the end and side panels are folded, the corner webs begin to extend out from the tray due to the actions of folding the end and side panels. The locking assembly of the construction section completes the remaining tray folding and locking steps, and an erected tray is produced. This includes folding the web corners against the end panels, and locking the web corners to form the finished tray. The erected tray then drops from the construction section to the exit section, where the tray is guided onto a conveying device, preferably a moving delivery conveyor belt.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An automated erector for erecting an open top container having corners from a generally flat blank, the blank having a bottom panel bounded by end and side score lines, first and second end panels connected to the opposite ends of the bottom panel at the respective end sc

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An automated erector for erecting an open top container having corners from a generally flat blank, the blank having a bottom panel bounded by end and side score lines, first and second end panels connected to the opposite ends of the bottom panel at the respective end score lines, first and second side panels connected to the opposite sides of the bottom panel at the respective side score lines, and corner webs adjacent each corner of the bottom panel between an adjacent end and side panel, each corner web having a top lock, each of the first and second end panels having a flap panel each flap panel connected to each end panel by a hinged fold joint having a retaining slit for receiving the top locks of the adjacent corner web, said erector comprising:(a) an inventory section including a hopper with a releasable retainer, said hopper capable of storing an inventory of stacked blanks;(b) a construction section including a setup assembly and a locking assembly, said construction section capable of transforming the blank into the open top container;(c) a transfer section that transfers a blank from said hopper to said construction section, said transfer section including a transfer mechanism to transfer the blank from a pick-up position to a release position; and(d) an exit section where an erected open top container exits the automated erector;said setup assembly of said construction section (b) being capable of folding the first and second end panels of the blank approximately 90 degrees from the plane of the bottom panel about the respective end score lines, and being capable of folding the first and second side panels of the blank approximately 90 degrees from the plane of the bottom panel about the respective side score lines, wherein while the first and second end and side panels are being folded, the corner webs extend out to form corner flaps each having a top lock;said locking assembly of said construction section (b) incorporating actuators with flippers mounted on said actuators, said flippers being capable of folding the corner flaps against the folded end panels, wherein the folding of the corner flaps provide the open top container with leakproof corners; andsaid locking assembly further incorporating a flap panel locking mechanism being capable of lowering the flap panel over the corner flaps so the top locks of the corner flaps are engaged in the retaining slit in the hinged fold joint.