Method and apparatus for closing bottom end flaps of a carton

• US 5,066,269 A
• Filed: 08/25/1989
• Issued: 11/19/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Frito-Lay North America Incorporated (PepsiCo Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Frito-Lay Incorporated (PepsiCo Incorporated)
• Inventors: Center, John L., Plaskett, John R., Mills, William C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meislin, D. S.
• Application Number:
  US07/398,807
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 53/159, 53/374, 53/386, 53/491, 493/137, 493/139, 493/140, 493/121, 493/177, 493/178, 493/183, 493/136, 493/453, 493/1, 229/156, 229/157
• US Class Current: 493/183
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/00 Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/004 Closing boxes
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/0042 the boxes having their opening facing in horizontal direction

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for closing the bottom end flaps of a reusable rectangular carton whereby the carton is disposed in an expanded position with the bottom end flaps biased outward with respect to the carton sidewalls. A sequence controller is programmed to release the bias and fold each bottom end flap in a predetermined sequence. A closure is effected by disposing at least two end flaps in locking relationship to each other.

Claims

1. A method for closing the bottom end flaps of a rectangular carton having sequentially adjacent first, second, third and fourth sides which form the body of the carton, the four sides having first, second, third and fourth bottom end flaps extending respectively therefrom, the method including the steps of:

(a) providing a carton in an expanded rectangular position having its bottom end flaps extending downward relative to the body of the carton;

(b) providing biasing means to bias said end flaps outwardly with respect to the sidewalls of the body of the carton;

(c) providing a programmable sequence controller for sequentially controlling release of the biasing means and closing of the bottom end flaps;

(d) providing closing means for closing the bottom end flaps in a preset sequence under control of the sequence controller by folding each end flap whose bias has been released towards the interior of the carton while maintaining a bias on each unfolded end flap; and

(e) providing the end flaps in a secure position by means of disposing at least two end flaps in locking relationship to each other.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said bottom end flaps are closed in a fan folded sequence.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the sequence of closing said bottom end flaps comprises

(a) folding a first major end flap;

(b) folding first and second minor end flaps; and

(c) folding a second major end flap.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the locking relationship is formed with L-slide locks.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the locking relationship is formed with fan folds.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the locking relationship is formed with tucking tabs.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said biasing means is a bias arm controlled by said sequence controller through means selected from the group consisting of pneumatic rotary actuators, pneumatic linear actuators, servomotors and pneumatic air cylinders.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said closing means is a closing arm controlled by said sequence controller through means selected from the group consisting of pneumatic rotary actuators, pneumatic linear actuators, servomotors and pneumatic air cylinders.

9. A method for closing the bottom end flaps of a rectangular carton having sequentially adjacent first, second, third and fourth sides which form the body of the carton, and the four sides having first, second, third and fourth bottom end flaps extending respectively therefrom, the method including the steps of:

(a) providing a carton in an expanded rectangular position having its bottom end flaps extending downward relative to the body of the carton;

(b) providing biasing means to bias said end flaps outwardly with respect to the sidewalls of the body of the carton;

(c) providing a programmable sequence controller for sequentially controlling release of the biasing means and closing of the bottom end flaps;

(d) closing the bottom end flaps in a preset sequence of first, second, third and fourth end flaps under control of the sequence controller by releasing the bias and folding each end flap towards the interior of the carton while maintaining a bias on each unfolded end flap;

(e) retracting the exposed corner of the first end flap to a position about parallel with the first side; and

(f) providing the end flaps in a secure position by means of closing the fourth end flap by releasing the bias and folding the fourth end flap past the retracted corner of said first end flap towards the interior of the carton, and afterwhich returning said corner of said first end flap to its closed position.

10. An apparatus for closing the bottom end flaps of a rectangular carton expanded to an open position by expanding means, said carton having sequentially adjacent first, second, third and fourth sides which form the body of the carton, the four sides having first, second, third and fourth bottom end flaps extending respectively therefrom, the apparatus comprising:

(a) means for providing said rectangular carton in said open position having its bottom end flaps extending downward relative to the body of the carton;

(b) biasing means to bias said end flaps outwardly with respect to the sidewalls of the body of the carton;

(c) a programmable sequence controller for sequentially controlling release of the biasing means and closing of the bottom end flaps;

(d) closing means for closing the bottom end flaps in a preset sequence under control of the sequence controller by folding each end flap whose bias has been released towards the interior of the carton while maintaining a bias on each unfolded end flap; and

(e) means for disposing the end flaps in a secure position by providing at least two end flaps in locking relationship to each other.