Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
An apparatus for erecting folded cartons having top and bottom flaps, comprising in combination: a carton track having a first and a second end; carton magazine means disposed on said first end of said track; first track movement means for moving a folded carton on said track from said carton magazine means to a first position; top flap folding means interposed in said first track for folding the top flaps of the carton; second track movement means disposed adjacent said first track for moving the carton from said first position to said second end of said track; carton erecting means disposed at a second position on said second track for erecting the folded carton; bottom flap folding means disposed at a third position on said second track for folding the bottom flaps of the carton; sealing means disposed at a fourth position on said second track for sealing the bottom flaps of the erected carton into a rigid structure; one of said first and second track movement means includes a first and a second rotatable member spaced relative to one another; flexible means about said rotatable members and having a driving portion on said flexible means for generating a reciprocal movement of said driving portion relative to said track; and means cooperates with said driving portion for sequentially moving cartons along said track upon rotation of said rotatable members.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
229 words
An apparatus for erecting folded cartons having top and bottom flaps, comprising in combination: a carton track having a first and a second end; carton magazine means disposed on said first end of said track; first track movement means for moving a folded carton on said track from said carton magazine means to a first position; top flap folding means interposed in said first track for folding the top flaps of the carton; second track movement means disposed adjacent said first track for moving the carton from said first position to said second end of said track; carton erecting means disposed at a second position on said second track for erecting the folded carton; bottom flap folding means disposed at a third position on said second track for folding the bottom flaps of the carton; sealing means disposed at a fourth position on said second track for sealing the bottom flaps of the erected carton into a rigid structure; one of said first and second track movement means includes a first and a second rotatable member spaced relative to one another; flexible means about said rotatable members and having a driving portion on said flexible means for generating a reciprocal movement of said driving portion relative to said track; and means cooperates with said driving portion for sequentially moving cartons along said track upon rotation of said rotatable members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first track movement means includes a pickup arm for moving the cartons along said track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said driving portion comprises a projection extending from said flexible means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said one of said track movement means further comprises plural parallel finger means for receiving said projection therebetween for generating said reciprocal movement from the movement of said projection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein one of said track movement means includes a substantially C-shaped member slidably mounted relative to said carton track for simultaneously engaging the top and bottom of an erected carton.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein one of said track movement means further comprises pivotably driving surfaces for engaging the carton upon forward movement of said track movement means and for disengaging the carton upon backward movement of said track movement means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein one of said track movement said means includes a first and a second sprocket means mounted on a rotatable shaft; a first chain interconnecting said first and second sprocket means; a projection extending from said chain; and plural parallel finger means for receiving said projection therebetween for generating said reciprocal movement from the movement of said projection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said erecting means includes a mounting plate having a plurality of slot apertures for positioning said carton erecting means relative to said apparatus; and air cylinder means secured to said mounting plate enabling adjustment of said carton erecting means relative to said apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bottom flap folding means comprises a tucker arm pivotably mounted relative to a mounting plate; air cylinder means secured to said mounting plate for rotating said tucker arm; and adjustment mounting means for mounting said mounting plate relative to the apparatus enabling replacement or adjustment thereby.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sealer means is adjustably mounted relative to said apparatus for enabling adjustment or replacement thereby.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bottom flap folding means comprises first and second flap folders for respectively folding minor and major flaps of the carton.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said top flap folder means comprises plural separator arms; means for positioning said plural separator arms between the top flaps of the carton; and means for separating said plural separator arms for folding the top flap thereby.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 12, including a separator vaccum head disposed in said first position on said track; and means for moving said separator vacuum head in a vertical direction enabling said vacuum head to grasp the underside of the carton to separate the top flaps enabling said plural separator arms to be disposed therebetween.