Patent ID: 9718570
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: B65B

Claim:
1. A method for erecting a carton with a robotic carton erector, the method comprising the steps of: a. picking a flat carton from a supply stack with a pair of grippers that are mounted to an articulating robotic arm; b. extending the grippers to open the carton to a substantially rectangular tubular condition; c. moving the open carton to press the bottom minor flaps against a rail and folding the bottom minor flaps upward; d. moving the carton with the bottom minor flaps folded along a horizontal path of travel; e. while holding the bottom minor flaps in folded position, moving the carton in a first lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal path of travel to fold a first bottom major flap upward against the folded bottom minor flaps; f. while holding the first bottom major flap folded against the folded bottom minor flaps, moving the carton in a second lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal path of travel and opposite to the first lateral direction to fold a second bottom major flap upward against the folded bottom minor flaps; and g. moving the carton forward along the horizontal path of travel to seal the bottom major flaps in closed condition.