Patent ID: 6179548
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B65B,B65G

Abstract:
An apparatus for stacking substantially flat folded cartons into a slug of cartons comprising:a support structure;a conveyor apparatus supported by said support structure for delivering a stream of folded cartons to a stack building station;stack firming apparatus supported by said support structure and positioned in said stack building station for receiving said folded cartons from said conveyor apparatus and forming one or more stacks of folded cartons and delivering said one or more stacks to a slug forming station;a tilt hopper device positioned in said slug forming station for receiving said one or more stacks from said stack forming apparatus and forming a slug of folded cartons from said one or more stacks of folded cartons, said tilt hopper device comprising a pivotable slug bin which receives said one or more stacks from said stack forming apparatus and a tilting device coupled to said slug bin for pivoting said slug bin once said one or more stacks have been delivered to said slug bin;slug receiving apparatus positioned adjacent to said slug forming station for receiving said slug of folded cartons from said slug bin after said slug bin has been pivoted by said tilting device; andwherein said slug bin comprises a slug frame which defines side walls of said slug bin and an elevator device comprising a movable platform which defines a floor of said slug bin.