US3852942A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for opening a carton flap
Assignee: Newfrey LLC
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Filing: 1973-10-15
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-10-15
Abstract
Abstract Means for opening the leading flap of a carton are provided by a device having a flap opener pivotably mounted on a translating shaft, which shaft also rotates as it translates, thus moving the flap opener through a helical path; the flap opener is spring loaded such that as it moves away from its rest position, the forward portion of the flap opener drops down to allow it to get under the flap, even if the flap is level with, or below, the upper edges of the panels of the carton; as the flap opener moves forward, it rotates so that in addition to moving under and into the flap, it also lifts the flap up and pushes it over the edge of the front panel of the carton to a horizontal full open position.
Inventors
- 👤 L Johnson
- 👤 J Raudat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:19
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B43/00; B65B43/38; B65B43/39
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a carton which is folded inwardly at the edge of a panel of the carton, comprising: means for conveying cartons endwise; means for stopping each carton at a predetermined location; flap opener holding means disposed adjacent and spaced from said conveying means a distance sufficient to allow a carton between said conveying means and said flap opener holding means; a flap opener disposed on said flap opener holding means; means for rotating said flap opener and translating said flap opener from a rest position towards a flap to be opened such that said flap opener moves in a helical-like path to engage and open the flap; and means for returning said flap opener to the rest position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a carton which is folded inwardly at the edge of a panel of the carton, comprising: means for conveying cartons endwise; means for stopping each carton at a predetermined location; flap opener holding means disposed adjacent and spaced from said conveying means a distance sufficient to allow a carton between said conveying means and said flap opener holding means; a flap opener disposed on said flap opener holding means; means for rotating said flap opener and translating said flap opener from a rest position towards a flap to be opened such that said flap opener moves in a helical-like path to engage and open the flap; and means for returning said flap opener to the rest position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a carton which is folded inwardly at the edge of a panel of the carton, comprising: means for conveying cartons endwise; means for stopping each carton at a predetermined location; shaft means disposed adjacent and spaced from said conveying means a distance sufficient to allow a carton between said conveying means and said shaft means; a flap opener disposed on the leading end of said shaft means; means for rotating said shaft means and translating said shaft means from a rest position towards a flap to be opened such that said flap opener moves in a helical-like path to engage and open the flap; and means for returning said shaft means to the rest position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a carton which is folded inwardly at the edge of a panel of the carton, comprising: means for conveying cartons endwise; means for stopping each carton at a predetermined location; shaft means disposed adjacent and spaced from said conveying means a distance sufficient to allow a carton between said conveying means and said shaft means; a flap opener disposed on the leading end of said shaft means; means for rotating said shaft means and translating said shaft means from a rest position towards a flap to be opened such that said flap opener moves in a helical-like path to engage and open the flap; and means for returning said shaft means to the rest position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus for opening a flap as defined in claim 2 wherein said flap opener is pivotably disposed on the leading end of said shaft means and further comprising biaSing means operatively connected to said flap opener for urging said flap opener to pivot as said shaft means moves from the rest position such that the leading tip of said flap opener drops down to a point below the edge of the flap to be opened.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus for opening a flap as defined in claim 1, wherein the leading face of said flap opener is cam-shaped such that said face acts to lift the flap as said flap opener engages the flap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a carton which is folded inwardly at the top edge of the leading end panel of the carton, comprising: means for conveying cartons endwise; means for stopping each carton at a predetermined location; flap opener holding means disposed above and spaced from said conveying means a sufficient distance to allow a carton therebetween; a flap opener disposed on said flap opener holding means; means for rotating said flap opener and means for translating said flap opener from a rest position towards the flap to be opened such that said flap opener moves in a helical-like path to engage and open the flap; and means for returning said flap opener to the rest position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a carton which is folded inwardly at the top edge of the leading end panel of the carton, comprising: means for conveying cartons endwise; means for stopping each carton at a predetermined location; flap opener holding means disposed above and spaced from said conveying means a sufficient distance to allow a carton therebetween; a flap opener disposed on said flap opener holding means; means for rotating said flap opener and means for translating said flap opener from a rest position towards the flap to be opened such that said flap opener moves in a helical-like path to engage and open the flap; and means for returning said flap opener to the rest position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a carton which is folded inwardly at the top edge of the leading end panel of the carton, comprising: means for conveying cartons endwise; means for stopping each carton at a predetermined location; shaft means disposed above and spaced from said conveying means a sufficient distance to allow a carton therebetween; a flap opener disposed on the leading end of said shaft means; means for rotating said shaft means and means for translating said shaft means from a rest position towards the flap to be opened such that said flap opener moves in a helical-like path to engage and open the flap; and means for returning said shaft means to the rest position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a carton which is folded inwardly at the top edge of the leading end panel of the carton, comprising: means for conveying cartons endwise; means for stopping each carton at a predetermined location; shaft means disposed above and spaced from said conveying means a sufficient distance to allow a carton therebetween; a flap opener disposed on the leading end of said shaft means; means for rotating said shaft means and means for translating said shaft means from a rest position towards the flap to be opened such that said flap opener moves in a helical-like path to engage and open the flap; and means for returning said shaft means to the rest position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus for opening a flap as defined in claim 6 wherein said flap opener is pivotably disposed on the leading end of said shaft means and further comprising biasing means operatively connected to said flap opener for urging said flap opener to pivot as said shaft means moves from the rest position such that the leading tip of said flap opener drops down to a point below the edge of the flap to be opened.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for opening a flap as defined in claim 5 wherein the leading face of said flap opener is cam-shaped such that it acts to lift the flap as the flap opener engages the flap.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a moving carton which is folded inwardly at the edge of a panel of the carton comprising: means for conveying cartons endwise; flap opener holding means disposed adjacent and spaced from said conveying means a distance sufficient to allow a carton between said conveying means and said flap opener holding means; a flap opener disposed on said flap opener holding means; means for rotating said flap opener and means for translating said flap opener from a rest position at a speed greater than that at which said carton is being conveyed towards a flap to be opened such that said flap opener moves in a helical like path to engage and open the flap; and means for returning said flap opener to the rest position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a moving carton which is folded inwardly at the edge of a panel of the carton comprising: means for conveying cartons endwise; flap opener holding means disposed adjacent and spaced from said conveying means a distance sufficient to allow a carton between said conveying means and said flap opener holding means; a flap opener disposed on said flap opener holding means; means for rotating said flap opener and means for translating said flap opener from a rest position at a speed greater than that at which said carton is being conveyed towards a flap to be opened such that said flap opener moves in a helical like path to engage and open the flap; and means for returning said flap opener to the rest position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a moving carton which is folded inwardly at the edge of a panel of the carton comprising: means for conveying cartons endwise; shaft means disposed adjacent and spaced from said conveying means a distance sufficient to allow a carton between said conveying means and said shaft means; a flap opener disposed on the leading end of said shaft means; means for rotating said shaft means and means for translating said shaft means from a rest position at a speed greater than that at which said carton is being conveyed towards a flap to be opened such that said flap opener moves in a helical-like path to engage and open the flap; and means for returning said shaft means to the rest position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a moving carton which is folded inwardly at the edge of a panel of the carton comprising: means for conveying cartons endwise; shaft means disposed adjacent and spaced from said conveying means a distance sufficient to allow a carton between said conveying means and said shaft means; a flap opener disposed on the leading end of said shaft means; means for rotating said shaft means and means for translating said shaft means from a rest position at a speed greater than that at which said carton is being conveyed towards a flap to be opened such that said flap opener moves in a helical-like path to engage and open the flap; and means for returning said shaft means to the rest position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus for opening a flap, as defined in claim 10 wherein said flap is pivotably disposed on the leading end of said shaft means and further comprising biasing means operatively connected to said flap opener for urging said flap opener to pivot as said shaft means moves away from the rest position such that the leading tip of said flap opener drops down to a point below the edge of the flap to be opened.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for opening a flap as defined in claim 9 wherein the leading face of said flap opener is cam-shaped such that it acts to lift the flap as the flap opener engages the flap.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a carton which is folded inwardly at the edge of an end panel of the carton, comprising: means for supporting a carton in a desired location; flap opener holding means disposed adjacent and spaced from said supporting means; a flap opener disposed on said flap opener holding means; means for translating said flap opener and for rotating said flap opener so that said flap opener goes through a helical path; and means for returning said flap opener to the rest position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a carton which is folded inwardly at the edge of an end panel of the carton, comprising: means for supporting a carton in a desired location; flap opener holding means disposed adjacent and spaced from said supporting means; a flap opener disposed on said flap opener holding means; means for translating said flap opener and for rotating said flap opener so that said flap opener goes through a helical path; and means for returning said flap opener to the rest position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a carton which is folded inwardly at the edge of an end panel of the carton, comprising: means for supporting a carton in a desired location; shaft means disposed adjacent and spaced from said supporting means; a flap opener disposed on the leading end of said shaft means; means for translating said shaft means and for rotating said shaft means so that said flap opener goes through a helical path; and means for returning said shaft means to the rest position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for opening a flap of a carton which is folded inwardly at the edge of an end panel of the carton, comprising: means for supporting a carton in a desired location; shaft means disposed adjacent and spaced from said supporting means; a flap opener disposed on the leading end of said shaft means; means for translating said shaft means and for rotating said shaft means so that said flap opener goes through a helical path; and means for returning said shaft means to the rest position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3376692A
Cited
US3448560A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |