US3673764A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bottom flap folding and conveying apparatus
Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Co
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Filing: 1971-03-29
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1991-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A pair of axially extending horizontal conveyor surfaces are provided with a space therebetween which accommodates a bottom flap folding and conveying apparatus. Stationary support members which are on the same horizontal level as are the conveyor surfaces accept the incoming product for packaging. A movable carriage having a downstream supporting portion and an upstream combination support-folder pusher plate portion operates in the axial direction through the utilization of an air or hydraulic cylinder and carriage track. After a carton is placed over the product the bottom end flaps are folded upwardly in a manner which positions them adjacently underneath the product. The upstream bottom end flap is folded by the combination supportfolder pusher plate which not only folds the flap but causes the carton and product to be moved axially toward the output conveyor surface while supporting a portion of it. The downstream bottom end flap folding means can be either movable or stationary.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack T Bell
- 👤 Barton K Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:36
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B7/00; B65B7/16; B65B7/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A combination folding and conveying apparatus for cartons having downwardly extending end flaps comprising: a stationary support surface being generally in a first horizontal plane and defining a first axially extending lateral space, folder means axially movable within said first axially extending space and adapted to fold an upstream bottom flap to a position normal to its downward position, pusher means operatively communicating with and extending upwardly from said folder means to a position above said first horizontal plane and adapted to engage said carton and push it axially downstream at substantially the same time said folder means folds said upstream flap, whereby said carton and said folded upstream flap travel axially over said support surface, and means to motivate said folder means and said pusher means axially toward said stationary support surface within said axially extending space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A combination folding and conveying apparatus for cartons having downwardly extending end flaps comprising: a stationary support surface being generally in a first horizontal plane and defining a first axially extending lateral space, folder means axially movable within said first axially extending space and adapted to fold an upstream bottom flap to a position normal to its downward position, pusher means operatively communicating with and extending upwardly from said folder means to a position above said first horizontal plane and adapted to engage said carton and push it axially downstream at substantially the same time said folder means folds said upstream flap, whereby said carton and said folded upstream flap travel axially over said support surface, and means to motivate said folder means and said pusher means axially toward said stationary support surface within said axially extending space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 further including means to fold the downstream bottom flap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus in claim 2 further including: an input conveyor surface positioned axially upstream from said support surface and generally in the same first horizontal plane, defining a second axially extending lateral space for the axial travel therein of said folder and pusher means, and an output conveyor surface axially spaced from the downstream end of said support surface and generally in the same first horizontal plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as in claim 3 in which said downstream flap folding means is comprised of a pivotally mounted folder plate positioned laterally adjacent said output conveyor surface and adapted to turn upwardly to a position which is substantially in said first horizontal plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as in claim 3 in which said downstream flap folding means is comprised of the laterally extending upstream end of said output conveyor surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as in claim 3 further including a pair of axially extending flap support members positioned on the outside of and vertically below said support surface adapted to support said carton in fixed relation to said support surface prior to the axial movement of said pusher means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 further including an axially movable supporting surface operatively communicating with but axially spaced from said folder and pusher means and which is positioned in a second horizontal plane slightly below said first horizontal plane and travels axially within said first axially extending lateral space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
The apparatus as in claim 7 in which said folder and pusher means and said axially movable supporting surface operatively communicate with each other through a device comprising: a pivotally mounted yoke member having two upwardly extending legs, said folder and pusher means mounted atop the upstream leg of said yoke, said movable supporting surface mounted atop the downstream leg of said yoke, means to pivot said yoke through an angle whereby said folder and pusher means move vertically and axially downstream causing the upstream flap to turn and said carton to be pushed downstream over said stationary support surface and said movable supporting surface moves axially and vertically downward to a position below said first horizontal plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
142 words
The apparatus as in claim 7 in which said folder and pusher means and said axially movable supporting surface operatively communicate with each other through a device comprising: an axially movable carriage member having a hingedly connected downstream portion and vertical displaceable upstream portion, said movable supporting surface mounted atop said downstream portion, said folder and pusher means mounted atop said upstream portion, tracking means for said carriage arranged so that said downstream portion moves axially while said upstream portion moves axially and vertically, and means to move said carriage axially such that said pusher means moves vertically upward above said first horizontal plane and axially within said second axially extending lateral space while the folder means turns the upstream flap inwardly normal to its downward position, while simultaneously said movable supporting surface travels axially within said first axially extending lateral space.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2939260A
Cited
US3077062A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |