BULK BIN FORMER APPARATUS AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A method of forming a ready to use bulk bin, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an erecting and constructing station;
providing a collapsed body blank supply station adjacent a first side of the erecting and constructing station;
providing a bottom blank supply station adjacent a second side of the erecting constructing station;
picking a collapsed body blank from the collapsed body blank supply station and moving it to the erecting and constructing station, the collapsed body blank including multiple side walls that interconnect at fold lines;
opening the collapsed body blank at the erecting and constructing station to provide an opened body blank;
picking a bottom blank from the bottom blank supply station and moving it to the erecting and constructing station, the bottom blank including a main body and multiple flaps;
aligning the bottom blank with the opened body blank, the multiple flaps of the bottom blank having glue thereon;
moving a body blank support head into an open first end of the opened body blank and toward the bottom blank at a second end of the opened body blank;
engaging the bottom blank onto the second end of the opened body blank with the flaps of the bottom blank folded into position along side walls of the opened body blank such that the flaps are pressed against the side walls while the body blank support head is positioned to maintain position of the side walls during the pressing operation; and
disengaging the flaps when the flaps are sufficiently adhered to the side walls and moving the body blank support head outward of the first end to produce an open bulk bin structure that can be unloaded from the erecting and constructing station for use.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A machine for automated construction of a bulk bin includes an erecting and construction station, a collapsed body blank supply station and a bottom blank supply station. A body bank pick mechanism picks a collapsed body blank from the collapsed body blank supply station and moves the collapsed body blank into the erecting and constructing station. A body blank opening assembly at the erecting and constructing station opens the collapsed body blank and forms an opened body blank. A bottom blank pick mechanism picks a bottom blank from the bottom blank supply station. A conveying device moves the bottom blank to the erecting and constructing station and beneath the opened body blank. A bottom blank fixing system applies the bottom blank to the opened body blank with flaps of the bottom blank secured to side walls of the opened body blank to produce an open bulk bin structure.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of forming a ready to use bulk bin, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an erecting and constructing station; providing a collapsed body blank supply station adjacent a first side of the erecting and constructing station; providing a bottom blank supply station adjacent a second side of the erecting constructing station; picking a collapsed body blank from the collapsed body blank supply station and moving it to the erecting and constructing station, the collapsed body blank including multiple side walls that interconnect at fold lines; opening the collapsed body blank at the erecting and constructing station to provide an opened body blank; picking a bottom blank from the bottom blank supply station and moving it to the erecting and constructing station, the bottom blank including a main body and multiple flaps; aligning the bottom blank with the opened body blank, the multiple flaps of the bottom blank having glue thereon; moving a body blank support head into an open first end of the opened body blank and toward the bottom blank at a second end of the opened body blank; engaging the bottom blank onto the second end of the opened body blank with the flaps of the bottom blank folded into position along side walls of the opened body blank such that the flaps are pressed against the side walls while the body blank support head is positioned to maintain position of the side walls during the pressing operation; and disengaging the flaps when the flaps are sufficiently adhered to the side walls and moving the body blank support head outward of the first end to produce an open bulk bin structure that can be unloaded from the erecting and constructing station for use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12)
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10. A machine for automated construction of a ready to use bulk bin, the machine comprising:
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an erecting and construction station; a collapsed body blank supply station alongside the erecting and constructing station; a bottom blank supply station alongside the erecting and constructing station; a body bank pick mechanism configured to pick a collapsed body blank from the collapsed body blank supply station and move the collapsed body blank into the erecting and constructing station; a body blank opening assembly at the erecting and constructing station for opening the collapsed body blank and forming an opened body blank; a bottom blank pick mechanism configured to pick a bottom blank from the bottom blank supply station; a conveying device to move the bottom blank to the erecting and constructing station and beneath the opened body blank; a bottom blank fixing system configured to apply the bottom blank to the opened body blank with flaps of the bottom blank secured to side walls of the opened body blank to produce an open bulk bin structure. - View Dependent Claims (11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A fully automated method of forming a ready to use bulk bin, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an erecting and constructing station; providing a collapsed body blank supply station adjacent the erecting and constructing station; providing a bottom blank supply station adjacent the erecting constructing station; moving a collapsed body blank from the collapsed body blank supply station to the erecting and constructing station, the collapsed body blank including multiple side walls that interconnect at fold lines; opening the collapsed body blank at the erecting and constructing station to provide an opened body blank; moving a bottom blank from the bottom blank supply station to the erecting and constructing station, the bottom blank including a main body and multiple flaps; applying glue to the flaps as the bottom blank is moved from the bottom blank supply station to the erecting and constructing station; aligning the bottom blank with the opened body blank; engaging the bottom blank onto an end of the opened body blank such that the flaps of the bottom blank are folded into position alongside walls of the opened bottom blank and secured thereto. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification