Patent ID: 8105223

Claim:
A machine for forming a polygonal container from a blank of sheet material, the blank including a bottom panel having opposing side edges and opposing end edges, two opposing side panels each extending from one of the side edges of the bottom panel, two opposing end panels each extending from one of the end edges of the bottom panel, and a reinforcing panel assembly including a plurality of reinforcing panels separated by a plurality of fold lines, the reinforcing panel assembly extending from a first side edge of a first side panel of the two side panels, said machine comprising: a hopper station configured to rotate the reinforcing panel assembly upwardly about a first fold line of the plurality of fold lines toward the first side panel, an exterior surface of the blank facing downward within said hopper station; a corner post forming station configured to form a partially formed container from the blank by folding the plurality of reinforcing panels about the plurality of fold lines, the partially formed container including a corner wall and a reinforcing end tab formed from the reinforcing panel assembly; and a plunger station configured to rotate the side panels and the end panels to be substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel and to couple the reinforcing end tab to one of the end panels to transform the partially formed container into the container, said plunger station comprising: a plurality of plows configured to rotate the side panels and the end panels toward an interior surface of the bottom panel to form side walls and end walls of the container, said plurality of plows adjacent to a plunger opening; and a plunger having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the container and being vertically movable through said plunger opening, said plunger configured to contact the interior surface of the bottom panel and to push the partially formed container downward through said plunger opening and past said plurality of plows.