Patent ID: 8348820

Claim:
A machine configured to transition a box cutout from a flat unfolded configuration to a collapsed folded box configuration, the machine comprising: (a) one or more drive wheels configured to drive a box cutout towards a plunging area; (b) one or more freely rotating wheels, each freely rotating wheel being disposed directly opposite to one of the one or more first drive wheels; (c) one or more glue applicators configured to apply glue to the box cutout; (d) a first detector configured to detect the presence of the box cutout and trigger application of glue thereto; (e) a backstop configured to halt movement of the box cutout in the plunging area; (f) one or more rotational fingers configured to effect folding of the box cutout disposed in the plunging area; (g) one or more clamps configured to hold the box cutout in position during folding by the one or more rotational fingers; (h) a plunger located in the plunging area configured to apply force to a central portion of the box cutout disposed below the plunger so as to effect, (1) at least partial collapsing of the box cutout, and (2) downward movement of the box cutout; (i) a second detector configured to detect the presence of the box cutout and trigger folding thereof by the one or more rotational fingers and plunging thereof by the plunger; (j) one or more guide wheels located below the plunging area, the guide wheels being configured to engage the box cutout being plunged by the plunger; (k) opposed grab wheels located below the one or more guide wheels, the grab wheels being configured to engage the box cutout that has been plunged downward by the plunger, facilitate collapse of the box cutout, and propel the box cutout further downward; and (l) a collector configured to collect the box cutout propelled downward by the grab wheels and place such collected box cutout in a collection pen; (m) wherein the backstop and one of the drive wheels are each positioned relative to the plunger based on dimensions of the particular box cutout being constructed; and (n) wherein a length of a plunging head of the plunger corresponds to the length of a portion of a score line of the particular box cutout.