Patent ID: 6497084
Filing Date: 2002-12-24
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A transport apparatus for transporting carton blanks from a pitched carton pick mechanism to an unpitched carton folding mechanism, said transport apparatus comprising:a pair of nip rollers which rotate at a first speed; and, a pair of cooperating endless belts spaced from and aligned with said pair of nip rollers and which rotate at a second speed, wherein said first speed is faster than said second speed, said pair of cooperating endless belts defining a gap therebetween in which the blanks are received, said pair of belts including a first section defining an upstream widened gap section between said endless belts, a second section defining an unwidened gap section and a third section defining a downstream widened gap section between said endless belts, wherein said upstream widened gap section is wider than said unwidened gap section and said downsteam widened gap section is wider than said unwidened gap section, wherein said first section and said second section of said pair of belts are angled downwardly and said third section of said pair of belts is substantially horizontal, and wherein at least one of said belts is received about a guide roller that is movable with respect to said nip rollers so as to adjust spacing between said unwidened gap section and said nip rollers, wherein said spacing is substantially equal to a length of the blanks.