Patent ID: 6318049
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: B65B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A slitter machine of the type where tab lock cases of varying height, width, and length are advanced therethrough in a product flow direction on a machine bed by a main drive motor, the cases having a leading flap, a trailing flap, a leading end and a trailing end, a top and a bottom, the slitter machine having a frame, a centerline, a leading flap lifter assembly having a leading flap lifter and a trailing flap lifter assembly having a trailing flap lifter mounted to the frame at an incline relative to the machine bed, the leading flap lifter and the trailing flap lifter are mounted on opposite sides of the centerline, each flap lifter having tear drop assemblies attached to a respective drive chain and actuated by a pair of cams to rotate the leading flap and the trailing flap toward a closed position, the improvement comprising a chain track disposed in each of the flap lifting assemblies and each of the drive chains disposed within the chain track wherein the chain track has a first section having a first distance between the drive chains and a second section having a second distance between the drive chains, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.