US3726061A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tab slitting and flap folding apparatus
Assignee: STROH BREWERY COMPANY
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Filing: 1971-05-18
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Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1991-05-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for severing the connecting tabs between edges of outwardly downturned closure flaps of a paperboard carton and for folding the flaps inwardly over the interior of the carton and sealing the same. The apparatus includes a conveyor to support and move the carton and a knife blade is located in the path of travel of one of the connecting tabs and acts to sever the tab. The case is then rotated 90*, and further advancement of the carton moves the second connecting tab into engagement with a second knife to sever that tab. Guide members are positioned above the conveyor and act to fold the end flaps upwardly over the interior of the carton, while other guide members hold the side flaps in a generally horizontal position so that an adhesive can be applied to the side flaps. Following the application of the adhesive, the carton moves through a pair of guide members which act to fold the side flaps downwardly over the interior of the carton. To accommodate cartons of different heights, the flap folding members and the adhesive applying unit are mounted on a vertically movable frame that can be manually elevated or lowered depending upon the height of the carton passing through the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 W Pagdin
- 👤 R Risley
- 👤 W Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:14
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B7/00; B65B7/16; B65B7/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/647; Y10T83/6476
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
384 words
An apparatus for severing the connecting tabs on downturned flaps of an open-top, generally rectangular container, said container having a pair of opposed first walls and a pair of opposed second walls and a bottom wall connecting the lower edges of the first and second walls, said container having a pair of first flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective first walls and having a pair of second flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective second walls, said connecting tabs being located at the opposite vertical corners of the container and connecting the adjacent edges of the respective first and second flaps, said apparatus comprising conveyor means to convey the container in a path of travel in which the first walls of the container are located in a fore and aft direction with respect to the direction of travel of said conveyor means and one of said tabs is located at the leading end of the container and the second tab is connected at the trailing end of the container, first tab cutting means disposed adjacent a side of said conveyor means and disposed to ride between one of said downturned second flaps and the corresponding second wall of the container to sever the second connecting tab, rotating means located ahead of said first tab cutting means in the direction of travel of said conveyor means for rotating the container 90* so that said second walls are positioned in a fore and aft direction with respect to the direction of travel of said conveyor means and said first tab is located at the trailing end of the container, said rotating means includes an incline member located along a side of the conveyor means, said incline member being inclined upwardly in the direction of travel of said conveyor means, and said rotating means also includes stop means positioned adjacent an elevated portion of the incline member, a leading corner of said container adapted to ride up said incline mEmber and engage said stop means whereby continued movement of said conveyor means rotates said container 90*, and second tab cutting means located adjacent a side of said conveyor means and disposed to ride between a downturned first flap and a corresponding first wall of the container to sever said first connecting tab.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
384 words
An apparatus for severing the connecting tabs on downturned flaps of an open-top, generally rectangular container, said container having a pair of opposed first walls and a pair of opposed second walls and a bottom wall connecting the lower edges of the first and second walls, said container having a pair of first flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective first walls and having a pair of second flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective second walls, said connecting tabs being located at the opposite vertical corners of the container and connecting the adjacent edges of the respective first and second flaps, said apparatus comprising conveyor means to convey the container in a path of travel in which the first walls of the container are located in a fore and aft direction with respect to the direction of travel of said conveyor means and one of said tabs is located at the leading end of the container and the second tab is connected at the trailing end of the container, first tab cutting means disposed adjacent a side of said conveyor means and disposed to ride between one of said downturned second flaps and the corresponding second wall of the container to sever the second connecting tab, rotating means located ahead of said first tab cutting means in the direction of travel of said conveyor means for rotating the container 90* so that said second walls are positioned in a fore and aft direction with respect to the direction of travel of said conveyor means and said first tab is located at the trailing end of the container, said rotating means includes an incline member located along a side of the conveyor means, said incline member being inclined upwardly in the direction of travel of said conveyor means, and said rotating means also includes stop means positioned adjacent an elevated portion of the incline member, a leading corner of said container adapted to ride up said incline mEmber and engage said stop means whereby continued movement of said conveyor means rotates said container 90*, and second tab cutting means located adjacent a side of said conveyor means and disposed to ride between a downturned first flap and a corresponding first wall of the container to sever said first connecting tab.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conveyor means comprises a belt conveyor and said incline member is located adjacent a side edge of the belt with the elevated portion of said incline member extending to a level above the level of said belt conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said stop means is provided with a generally curved surface to be engaged by the corner of the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1, and including a pair of spaced guide members located above said conveyor means for guiding the container for movement on said conveyor means, said first tab cutting means being located above one of said guide members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first tab cutting means includes a blade extending upwardly at an angle to the horizontal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, and including guide means extending between the first tab cutting means and said first rotating means for guiding said container on said conveyor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said guide means includes a series of rollers journalled about vertical axes and disposed to ride against a second wall of the container.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
342 words
An apparatus for severing the connecting tabs on downturned flaps of an open-top generally rectangular container, said container having a pair of opposed first walls and a pair of opposed second walls and a bottom wall connecting the lower edges of the first and second walls, said container having a pair of first flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective first walls and having a pair of second flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective second walls, said connecting tabs being located at the opposite vertical corners of the container and connecting the adjacent edges of the respective first and second flaps, said apparatus comprising conveyor means to convey said container in a path of travel wherein said first walls are located in a fore and aft direction with respect to movement of said conveyor means and one of said tabs is located at the leading end of the container and the second tab is located at the trailing end of the container, a pair of spaced guide members located above the conveyor means to guide said container in movement on said conveyor means, first tab cutting means located adjacent one of said spaced guide members and disposed to ride between a downturned second flap and the corresponding second wall of the container to sever said second tab, first rotating means located adjacent the opposite guide member and including an abutment to be engaged by a leading corner of the container to thereby rotate the container 90* on said conveyor means to a position wherein said second walls are positioned in a fore and aft direction and said first tab is located at the trailing end of the container, second tab cutting means located adjacent said opposite guide member and disposed to ride between a downturned first flap and the corresponding first wall of the container to sever said first tab, and second rotating means for rotating said container 90* on said conveyor member so that said first walls are again located in a fore and aft direction.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
342 words
An apparatus for severing the connecting tabs on downturned flaps of an open-top generally rectangular container, said container having a pair of opposed first walls and a pair of opposed second walls and a bottom wall connecting the lower edges of the first and second walls, said container having a pair of first flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective first walls and having a pair of second flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective second walls, said connecting tabs being located at the opposite vertical corners of the container and connecting the adjacent edges of the respective first and second flaps, said apparatus comprising conveyor means to convey said container in a path of travel wherein said first walls are located in a fore and aft direction with respect to movement of said conveyor means and one of said tabs is located at the leading end of the container and the second tab is located at the trailing end of the container, a pair of spaced guide members located above the conveyor means to guide said container in movement on said conveyor means, first tab cutting means located adjacent one of said spaced guide members and disposed to ride between a downturned second flap and the corresponding second wall of the container to sever said second tab, first rotating means located adjacent the opposite guide member and including an abutment to be engaged by a leading corner of the container to thereby rotate the container 90* on said conveyor means to a position wherein said second walls are positioned in a fore and aft direction and said first tab is located at the trailing end of the container, second tab cutting means located adjacent said opposite guide member and disposed to ride between a downturned first flap and the corresponding first wall of the container to sever said first tab, and second rotating means for rotating said container 90* on said conveyor member so that said first walls are again located in a fore and aft direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 8, and including means located downstream in the direction of movement of said conveyor means from said second rotating means for folding said first and second flaps upwardly and inwardly to a closed position to enclose the open top of said container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said conveyor means includes a first endless conveyor and a second endless conveyor disposed in end-to-end relation, said second conveyor being located downstream of said first conveyor in the direction of movemeNt of said conveyor means and disposed to operate at a substantially faster speed than said first conveyor, said first tab cutting means being located adjacent said first conveyor and said first rotating means being located adjacent said second conveyor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said first rotating means includes an inclined plate, said plate being inclined upwardly in a downstream direction, said rotating means also including an abutment disposed adjacent a high portion of said inclined plate and disposed to be engaged by a leading corner of the container to thereby rotate the container 90*.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 10, and including drive means interconnecting said first and second conveyors whereby movement of one of said conveyors is transmitted to the other, said drive means including means for operating said second conveyor at a faster rate of speed than said first conveyor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
110 words
The apparatus of claim 8, and including first flap folding means located downstream in the direction of movement of said conveyor means from said second rotating means for folding said first flaps upwardly and inwardly to a closed position, second flap folding means located downstream of said first flap folding means for pivoting said second flaps to an outwardly extending generally horizontal position, adhesive applying means located downstream of said second flap folding means for applying an adhesive to the upwardly facing surfaces of said outwardly extending second flaps, and third flap folding means located downstream of said adhesive means for folding said second flaps inwardly to the closed position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 13, and including pressure means located downstream of said third flap folding means for applying pressure to said folded flap to insure bonding of said flaps.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said pressure means includes an endless belt disposed to ride against the folded second flaps, and biasing means for urging the belt downwardly against said second flaps.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said biasing means includes a series of spring loaded rollers which support the belt, said rollers being biased downwardly toward said conveyor means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 13, and including flap holding means located downstream of second flap folding means for holding the second flaps in the horizontal position.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
423 words
An apparatus for severing the connecting tabs on downturned flaps of an open-top, generally rectangular container, said container having a pair of opposed first walls and a pair of opposed second walls and a bottom wall connecting the lower edges of the first and second walls, said container having a pair of first flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective first walls and having a pair of second flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective second walls, said connecting tabs being located at the opposite vertical corners of the container and connecting the adjacent edges of the respective first and second flaps, said apparatus comprising conveyor means to convey said container in a path of travel wherein said first walls are located in a fore and aft direction with respect to movement of said conveyor means and one of said tabs is located at the leading end of the container and the second tab is located at the trailing end of the container, a pair of spaced guide members located above the conveyor means to guide said container in movement on said conveyor means, first tab cutting means located adjacent one of said spaced guide members and disposed to ride between a downturned second flap and the corresponding second wall of the container to sever said second tab, first rotating means located adjacent the opposite guide member and including an abutment to be engaged by a leading corner of the container to thereby rotate the container 90* on said conveyor means to a position wherein said second walls are positioned in a fore and aft direction and said first tab is located at the trailing end of the container, second tab cutting means located adjacent said opposite guide member and disposed to ride between a downturned first flap and the corresponding first wall of the container to sever said first tab, first flap folding means located downstream in the direction of movement of said conveyor means from second rotating means for folding said first flaps upwardly and inwardly to a closed position over the open top of the container, second flap folding means located downstream of said first flap folding means for folding the second flaps to an outwardly extending generally horizontal position, adhesive means for applying a coating of adhesive to the upwardly facing surfaces of said outwardly extending second flaps, and third flap folding means located downstream of said adhesive means for folding said second flaps inwardly to a closed position over the top of the container.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
423 words
An apparatus for severing the connecting tabs on downturned flaps of an open-top, generally rectangular container, said container having a pair of opposed first walls and a pair of opposed second walls and a bottom wall connecting the lower edges of the first and second walls, said container having a pair of first flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective first walls and having a pair of second flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective second walls, said connecting tabs being located at the opposite vertical corners of the container and connecting the adjacent edges of the respective first and second flaps, said apparatus comprising conveyor means to convey said container in a path of travel wherein said first walls are located in a fore and aft direction with respect to movement of said conveyor means and one of said tabs is located at the leading end of the container and the second tab is located at the trailing end of the container, a pair of spaced guide members located above the conveyor means to guide said container in movement on said conveyor means, first tab cutting means located adjacent one of said spaced guide members and disposed to ride between a downturned second flap and the corresponding second wall of the container to sever said second tab, first rotating means located adjacent the opposite guide member and including an abutment to be engaged by a leading corner of the container to thereby rotate the container 90* on said conveyor means to a position wherein said second walls are positioned in a fore and aft direction and said first tab is located at the trailing end of the container, second tab cutting means located adjacent said opposite guide member and disposed to ride between a downturned first flap and the corresponding first wall of the container to sever said first tab, first flap folding means located downstream in the direction of movement of said conveyor means from second rotating means for folding said first flaps upwardly and inwardly to a closed position over the open top of the container, second flap folding means located downstream of said first flap folding means for folding the second flaps to an outwardly extending generally horizontal position, adhesive means for applying a coating of adhesive to the upwardly facing surfaces of said outwardly extending second flaps, and third flap folding means located downstream of said adhesive means for folding said second flaps inwardly to a closed position over the top of the container.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 18, and including a frame located above said conveyor means, means for mounting the frame for vertical movement with respect to said conveyor means, said first flap folding means, said second flap folding means, said third flap folding means and said adhesive means being supported by said frame, and means for selectively raising and lowering the frame with respect to said conveyor means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said means for raising and lowering comprises a plurality of arms pivotally interconnecting said conveyor means and said frame, and lever means pivotally connected to said arms for pivoting said arms to thereby move the frame vertically with respect to said conveyor means.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
370 words
An apparatus for severing the connecting tabs on downturned flaps of an open-top, generally rectangular container, said container having a pair of opposed first walls and a pair of opposed second walls and a bottom wall connecting the lower edges of the first and second walls, said container having a pair of first flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective first walls and having a pair of second flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective second walls, said connecting tabs being located at the opposite vertical corners of the container and connecting the adjacent edges of the respective first and second flaps, said apparatus comprising conveyor means to convey the container in a path of travel in which the first walls of the container are located in a fore and aft direction with respect to the direction of travel of said conveyor means and one of said tabs is located at the leading end of the container and the second tab is connected at the trailing end of the container, first tab cutting means disposed adjacent a side of said conveyor means and disposed to ride between one of said downturned second flaps and the corresponding second wall of the container to sever the second connecting tab, rotating means located ahead of said first tab cutting means in the direction of travel of said conveyor means for rotating the container 90* so that said second walls are positioned in a fore and aft direction with respect to the direction of travel of said conveyor means and said first tab is located at the trailing end of the container, second tab cutting means located adjacent a side of said conveyor means and disposed to ride between a downturned first flap and a corresponding first wall of the container to sever said first connecting tab, and second rotating means associated with said conveyor means and located ahead of said second tab cutting means in the direction of travel of said conveyor means, said second rotating means acting to rotate said container 90* on said conveyor means so that said first walls are again located in a fore and aft direction with respect to travel of said conveyor means.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
370 words
An apparatus for severing the connecting tabs on downturned flaps of an open-top, generally rectangular container, said container having a pair of opposed first walls and a pair of opposed second walls and a bottom wall connecting the lower edges of the first and second walls, said container having a pair of first flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective first walls and having a pair of second flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective second walls, said connecting tabs being located at the opposite vertical corners of the container and connecting the adjacent edges of the respective first and second flaps, said apparatus comprising conveyor means to convey the container in a path of travel in which the first walls of the container are located in a fore and aft direction with respect to the direction of travel of said conveyor means and one of said tabs is located at the leading end of the container and the second tab is connected at the trailing end of the container, first tab cutting means disposed adjacent a side of said conveyor means and disposed to ride between one of said downturned second flaps and the corresponding second wall of the container to sever the second connecting tab, rotating means located ahead of said first tab cutting means in the direction of travel of said conveyor means for rotating the container 90* so that said second walls are positioned in a fore and aft direction with respect to the direction of travel of said conveyor means and said first tab is located at the trailing end of the container, second tab cutting means located adjacent a side of said conveyor means and disposed to ride between a downturned first flap and a corresponding first wall of the container to sever said first connecting tab, and second rotating means associated with said conveyor means and located ahead of said second tab cutting means in the direction of travel of said conveyor means, said second rotating means acting to rotate said container 90* on said conveyor means so that said first walls are again located in a fore and aft direction with respect to travel of said conveyor means.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
342 words
An apparatus for severing the connecting tabs on downturned flaps of an open-top, generally rectangular container, said container having a pair of opposed first walls and a pair of opposed second walls and a bottom wall connecting thE lower edges of the first and second walls, said container having a pair of first flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective first walls and having a pair of second flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective second walls, said connecting tabs being located at the opposite vertical corners of the container and connecting the adjacent edges of the respective first and second flaps, said apparatus comprising conveyor means to convey the container in a path of travel in which the first walls of the container are located in a fore and aft direction with respect to the direction of travel of said conveyor means and one of said tabs is located at the leading end of the container and the second tab is connected at the trailing end of the container, first tab cutting means disposed adjacent a side of said conveyor means and disposed to ride between one of said downturned second flaps and the corresponding second wall of the container to sever the second connecting tab, rotating means located ahead of said first tab cutting means in the direction of travel of said conveyor means for rotating the container 90* so that said second walls are positioned in a fore and aft direction with respect to the direction of travel of said conveyor means and said first tab is located at the trailing end of the container, and second tab cutting means located adjacent a side of said conveyor means and disposed to ride between a downturned first flap and a corresponding first wall of the container to sever said first connecting tab, said first tab cutting means includes a blade and a blade holder to support the blade, said first tab cutting means also includes means for urging said blade holder laterally inward toward the container.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
342 words
An apparatus for severing the connecting tabs on downturned flaps of an open-top, generally rectangular container, said container having a pair of opposed first walls and a pair of opposed second walls and a bottom wall connecting thE lower edges of the first and second walls, said container having a pair of first flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective first walls and having a pair of second flaps hinged to the upper edges of the respective second walls, said connecting tabs being located at the opposite vertical corners of the container and connecting the adjacent edges of the respective first and second flaps, said apparatus comprising conveyor means to convey the container in a path of travel in which the first walls of the container are located in a fore and aft direction with respect to the direction of travel of said conveyor means and one of said tabs is located at the leading end of the container and the second tab is connected at the trailing end of the container, first tab cutting means disposed adjacent a side of said conveyor means and disposed to ride between one of said downturned second flaps and the corresponding second wall of the container to sever the second connecting tab, rotating means located ahead of said first tab cutting means in the direction of travel of said conveyor means for rotating the container 90* so that said second walls are positioned in a fore and aft direction with respect to the direction of travel of said conveyor means and said first tab is located at the trailing end of the container, and second tab cutting means located adjacent a side of said conveyor means and disposed to ride between a downturned first flap and a corresponding first wall of the container to sever said first connecting tab, said first tab cutting means includes a blade and a blade holder to support the blade, said first tab cutting means also includes means for urging said blade holder laterally inward toward the container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |