Patent ID: 6186931
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: B31B,B65D

Abstract:
An automated erector for erecting an open top container having corners from a generally flat blank, the blank having a bottom panel bounded by end and side score lines, first and second end panels connected to the opposite ends of the bottom panel at the respective end score lines, first and second side panels connected to the opposite sides of the bottom panel at the respective side score lines, and corner webs adjacent each corner of the bottom panel between an adjacent end and side panel, each corner web having a top lock, each of the first and second end panels having a flap panel each flap panel connected to each end panel by a hinged fold joint having a retaining slit for receiving the top locks of the adjacent corner web, said erector comprising:(a) an inventory section including a hopper with a releasable retainer, said hopper capable of storing an inventory of stacked blanks;(b) a construction section including a setup assembly and a locking assembly, said construction section capable of transforming the blank into the open top container;(c) a transfer section that transfers a blank from said hopper to said construction section, said transfer section including a transfer mechanism to transfer the blank from a pick-up position to a release position; and(d) an exit section where an erected open top container exits the automated erector;said setup assembly of said construction section (b) being capable of folding the first and second end panels of the blank approximately 90 degrees from the plane of the bottom panel about the respective end score lines, and being capable of folding the first and second side panels of the blank approximately 90 degrees from the plane of the bottom panel about the respective side score lines, wherein while the first and second end and side panels are being folded, the corner webs extend out to form corner flaps each having a top lock;said locking assembly of said construction section (b) incorporating actuators with flippers mounted on said actuators, said flippers being capable of folding the corner flaps against the folded end panels, wherein the folding of the corner flaps provide the open top container with leakproof corners; andsaid locking assembly further incorporating a flap panel locking mechanism being capable of lowering the flap panel over the corner flaps so the top locks of the corner flaps are engaged in the retaining slit in the hinged fold joint.