Patent US3858490A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3858490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for automatically feeding and erecting folded cartons
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-03-12
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1994-03-12
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method is disclosed for receiving folded cartons in a vertical manner in a storage chute and to deliver and retain these cartons in a substantially horizontal delivery chute. The cartons are withdrawn one-at-a-time from this horizontal chute by an arm means on which a plurality of suction cups are mounted. By swinging this arm the vacuum cups are brought into engagement with the lowermost carton whereat vacuum is applied to the cups to cause attachment to the carton. The cups and attached carton are then swung to a transporting station. During this swing, cam means engage the moving carton to cause the carton to be erected. At the transport station the erected carton is disengaged from the vacuum cups and then moved to loading operations.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond A Heisler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:11
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B5/00; B65B5/08; B65B35/00; B65B35/56; B31; B31B; B31B2100/00; B31B2120/00; B31B2120/30; B31B50/00; B31B50/02; B31B50/04; B31B50/06; B31B50/062; B31B50/74; B31B50/76; B31B50/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A method for automatically feeding and erecting folded cartons, said method including the steps of: (a) initially supplying the folded cartons to a vertical supply chute where the lower edges of the cartons are supported on an endless belt; (b) transporting the folded cartons from the initial supply chute by the intermittent advancement of said belt to deliver the cartons to be deposited in a substantially horizontal condition in a horizontal chute, the advancement of the endless belt being in response to the rotative motion of a shaft which carries a plurality of suction cups; (c) engaging the bottom folded carton by the plurality of suction cups carried by and on said rotatable shaft; (d) causing a source of vacuum to be connected to the suction cups to cause the folded carton to be gripped by said cups; (e) pulling the carton from its horizontally stored position to and in way of guide means and by engagement with said guide means pushing the sides of the carton to an erected condition at an erecting station; (f) after bringing the carton to the erected condition causing the vacuum to the cups to be terminated to release the erected carton; (g) moving the erected carton from the erecting station, and (h) with the moving erected carton at a determined distance from the vacuum cups rotating the shaft and said carried cups to bring the cups in way of the next carton to be erected.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
242 words
A method for automatically feeding and erecting folded cartons, said method including the steps of: (a) initially supplying the folded cartons to a vertical supply chute where the lower edges of the cartons are supported on an endless belt; (b) transporting the folded cartons from the initial supply chute by the intermittent advancement of said belt to deliver the cartons to be deposited in a substantially horizontal condition in a horizontal chute, the advancement of the endless belt being in response to the rotative motion of a shaft which carries a plurality of suction cups; (c) engaging the bottom folded carton by the plurality of suction cups carried by and on said rotatable shaft; (d) causing a source of vacuum to be connected to the suction cups to cause the folded carton to be gripped by said cups; (e) pulling the carton from its horizontally stored position to and in way of guide means and by engagement with said guide means pushing the sides of the carton to an erected condition at an erecting station; (f) after bringing the carton to the erected condition causing the vacuum to the cups to be terminated to release the erected carton; (g) moving the erected carton from the erecting station, and (h) with the moving erected carton at a determined distance from the vacuum cups rotating the shaft and said carried cups to bring the cups in way of the next carton to be erected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of automatically feeding and erecting folded cartons as in claim 1 in which the intermittent advancing of the endless belt includes a cam-actuated tightening pulley carried on a pivoted arm and with a cam disposed to move said pivoted arm, said cam being carried on and rotated with the shaft which carries the suction cups.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
The method of automatically feeding and erecting folded cartons as in claim 1 which further includes the step of carrying the erected carton on a reciprocated frame moved by a hydraulic cylinder, the movement of said frame also causing a drive shaft to be rotated and there is provided a belt connecting said drive shaft to the shaft carrying the suction cups, the connecting of said belt being in a manner so to provide a determined lost motion to insure a delay in the movement of the suction cups to the lowermost folded carton in the stack and in the movement of the suction cups from the erected carton.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of automatically feeding and erecting folded cartons as in claim 3 which further includes connecting the hydraulic cylinder which moves the reciprocated frame to another hydraulic cylinder, said cylinder as it is moved developing the vacuum source connected to the vacuum cups.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
The method of automatically feeding and erecting a folded carton as in claim 1 which further includes moving the erected carton in response to the reciprocated movement of a drive shaft which is connected by a belt to the shaft carrying the suction cups, said connecting belt being attached to each shaft so as to drive and rotate either of the shafts less than one revolution in either direction, said connecting belts having a determined slack to provide a determined lost motion action to insure delay in the movement of the suction cups to the lowermost folded carton in the stack and to a like extent in the movement of the cups from the erected carton.
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) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |