Patent ID: 7658054
Filing Date: 2010-02-09
Classification: B31B,B65B

Abstract:
1. A method for increasing production of cardboard cartons to increase production of runs of multiple limited batches of cartons by reducing time for adjusting a cartoner from a run of a first carton size to a run of another carton size to a run of yet another carton size, said method comprising the steps of: (A) adjusting at least one of: the height and width spacing between at least two of a plurality of adjustable guide rods of an adjustable face plate sufficient to substantially conform the height and width spacing between the guide rods to the height and width of a first size of flat, folded cartons; adjusting stop tabs disposed at the ends of said guide rods disposed furthest from said conveyor to provide a predetermined overlap on flat, folded cartons of said first size by loosening locking elements of said stop tabs and rotating said stop tabs to a predetermined position relating to the size of said flat, folded cartons; starting said cartoner machine; moving a first, limited number of flat, folded cartons of said first size to said face plate; guiding, with said guide rods, said flat, folded cartons of said first size on edge in said face plate; retaining, with said stop tabs, said flat, folded cartons of said first size on said guide rods in said face plate; removing said flat, folded cartons of said first size from said guide rods and said face plate; rotating and moving said flat, folded cartons of said first size and initiating opening of said flat, folded cartons of said first size; releasing said partially-open cartons of said first size and substantially simultaneously continuing opening said flat, folded cartons of said first size; and stopping said cartoner machine upon the first, limited number of flat, folded cartons of said first size being opened; (B) adjusting at least one of: the height and width spacing between at least two of a plurality of adjustable guide rods of an adjustable face plate sufficient to substantially conform the height and width spacing between the guide rods to the height and width of a second size of flat, folded cartons, which second size is different from said first size; adjusting stop tabs disposed at the ends of said guide rods disposed furthest from said conveyor to provide a predetermined overlap on flat, folded cartons of said second size by loosening locking elements of said stop tabs and rotating said stop tabs to a predetermined position relating to the size of said flat, folded cartons; starting said cartoner machine; moving a second, limited number of flat, folded cartons of said second size to said face plate; guiding, with said guide rods, said flat, folded cartons of said second size on edge in said face plate; retaining, with said stop tabs, said flat, folded cartons of said second size on said guide rods in said face plate; removing said flat, folded cartons of said second size from said guide rods and said face plate; rotating and moving said flat, folded cartons of said second size and initiating opening of said flat, folded cartons of said second size; releasing said partially-open cartons of said second size and substantially simultaneously continuing opening said flat, folded cartons of said second size; and stopping said cartoner machine upon the second, limited number of flat, folded cartons of said second size being opened; and (C) adjusting at least one of: the height and width spacing between at least two of a plurality of adjustable guide rods of an adjustable face plate sufficient to substantially conform the height and width spacing between the guide rods to the height and width of a third size of flat, folded cartons, which third size is different from said second size; adjusting stop tabs disposed at the ends of said guide rods disposed furthest from said conveyor to provide a predetermined overlap on flat, folded cartons of said third size by loosening locking elements of said stop tabs and rotating said stop tabs to a predetermined position relating to the size of said flat, folded cartons; starting said cartoner machine; moving a third, limited number of flat, folded cartons of said third size to said face plate; guiding, with said guide rods, said flat, folded cartons of said third size on edge in said face plate; retaining, with said stop tabs, said flat, folded cartons of said third size on said guide rods in said face plate; removing said flat, folded cartons of said third size from said guide rods and said face plate; rotating and moving said flat, folded cartons of said third size and initiating opening of said flat, folded cartons of said third size; releasing said partially-open cartons of said third size and substantially simultaneously continuing opening said flat, folded cartons of said third size; and stopping said cartoner machine upon the third, limited number of flat, folded cartons of said third size being opened.