Cardboard box erecting machine

Claim 1

A case erector comprising: a transport means for transporting boxes through said case erector; a magazine means for holding a plurality of folded boxes; a pull-out station means for sequentially removing individual folded boxes from said magazine means and disposing said boxes so as to be received by said transport means; a set-up station means for sequentially receiving folded boxes from said transport means and opening said boxes; first folding means, located at said set-up station, for folding the lateral flaps on the bottom of each box, said first folding means comprising (a) first and second members, (b) actuating means for moving each of said first and second members from a first lower position through a path of travel generally upward and toward each other to intercept and fold the lateral flaps on a box, (c) support means coupled to said first and second members, and (d) adjustment means for adjusting the position of said support means in accordance with the characteristics of the boxes being erected wherein said adjustment means comprises at least one lead screw, said support means having at least one lead screw follower cooperatively disposed with respect to said lead screw whereby said support means is positioned by the rotation of said lead screw; application means for applying adhesive to at least one flat of each box as said boxes are advanced by said transport means; second folding means for encouraging the longitudinal flaps of each box into the folded position as each box is advanced by said transport means; and a press-station means for pressing the folded lateral and longitudinal flaps into firm face to face abutment to secure good adhesion of said flaps.