Abstract: A carton forming machine includes a carton blank push up device that receives a substantially horizontal folded carton blank and reorients the folded carton blank from the substantially horizontal orientation to an upright orientation below and in a first direction alignment with a carton opening mechanism. A carton blank positioning apparatus shifts the upright folded carton blank in a second direction, transverse to the first direction, below the carton opening mechanism to define a second direction position of the upright carton blank below the carton opening mechanism before the carton opening mechanism engages the upright carton blank for opening of the upright carton blank.

Abstract: A blank for forming a closed box for shipping and for permitting separation of one portion of the closed box from another portion of the closed box to form a tray for displaying product is provided. The blank includes a bottom part, a back part and a top part. The blank may include three distinct tear lines. One of the tear lines is located on the back part, and two of the tear lines are located on the bottom part.

Abstract: A carton feeding assembly includes a carton blank storage rack for holding a stack of horizontally oriented folded carton blanks, a carton blank transport device for picking a bottommost folded carton blank from the stack and conveying it along a conveyance path, and a carton blank push up device that reorients the folded carton blank into an upright position suitable for movement into engagement with a case erector.

Abstract: An adhesive tape application device of a case sealing machine for sealing cases automatically and folding over the end of the adhesive tape to form a grippable non-adhesive tape end portion for easy peeling.

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.

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.

Abstract: An automated case erecting apparatus for use in erecting case blanks includes a case blank feeder configured to hold a plurality of upstanding case blanks arranged face-to-face. The case blank feeder includes a path along which the case blanks are directed. A case erecting assembly receives a case blank from the case blank feeder at a case receiving location. The case erecting assembly includes a first arm carrying a first gripper element and a second arm carrying a second gripper element. The first arm and associated first gripper element are arranged and configured such that the first gripper element grips a first flap of the case blank. The second arm and associated second gripper element are arranged and configured such that the second gripper element grips a second flap of the case blank.

Abstract: A carton flap gripping system including an adjustable pin holder is provided.

Abstract: A case sealing apparatus includes a frame structure including a case conveyance path extending from a case infeed station to a case outfeed station. First and second side conveying units extend between the infeed station and the outfeed station. The first and second side conveying units are moveable toward and away from the conveyance path for engaging opposite sides of cases to move cases of various widths from the infeed station toward the outfeed station. A lower tape head assembly is positioned along the conveyance path to apply tape to case bottoms. The lower tape head assembly is movable between a lowered position for taping and a raised position for changing tape. An upper tape head assembly is positioned along the conveyance path to apply tape to case tops. The upper tape head assembly is vertically movable to accommodate cases of various heights. A control system controls movement of the first and second side conveying unit, the upper tape head assembly and the lower tape head assembly.

Abstract: A case sealing apparatus includes a frame structure including a case conveyance path extending from a case infeed station to a case outfeed station. First and second side conveying units extend between the infeed station and the outfeed station. The first and second side conveying units are moveable toward and away from the conveyance path for engaging opposite sides of cases to move cases of various widths from the infeed station toward the outfeed station. A lower tape head assembly is positioned along the conveyance path to apply tape to case bottoms. The lower tape head assembly is movable between a lowered position for taping and a raised position for changing tape. An upper tape head assembly is positioned along the conveyance path to apply tape to case tops. The upper tape head assembly is vertically movable to accommodate cases of various heights. A control system controls movement of the first and second side conveying unit, the upper tape head assembly and the lower tape head assembly.

Abstract: A carton flap gripping system including an adjustable pin holder is provided.

Abstract: A gripping system uses a pin mounting block having at least one passage for accommodating holding pins of a holding pin member that cooperate with a dome to hold a laminate ply there between, the improvement being a releasable latch positioned to engage the pin member and hold the pin member in an operative positions and being releasable to release the pin member. Various forms of pin members may be used. In a preferred form, a gripper is provided positioned adjacent to holding pins and moveable between a retracted position and an operative position wherein the gripper member grips the laminate ply.

Abstract: A case forming machine for erecting cases from knock down case form to an open form and move an opened case downward to a bottom forming station using a fixed and a moveable jaw system is improved by providing a plurality of stabilizer bars having their bottom edges in a radial plane relative to the pivotal axis. Also provided is a micrometer type adjustment mechanism that is used for adjusting the gap between the fixed and moveable jaws when the jaws are in the parallel pick-up position.

Abstract: A case forming machine is disclosed wherein a pusher engages a trailing panel of a case with its bottom flaps folded to closed position and provided the sole means for moving the case from the folding station through a bottom taping systems thereby eliminating the need for the conventional belt drive used to move the case through the taping station.

Abstract: A gripping system uses a pin mounting block having at least one passage for accommodating holding pins of a holding pin member that cooperate with a dome to hold a laminate ply there between, the improvement being a releasable latch positioned to engage the pin member and hold the pin member in an operative positions and being releasable to release the pin member. Various forms of pin members may be used. In a preferred form a gripper is provided positioned adjacent to holding pins and moveable between a retracted position and an operative position wherein the gripper member grips the laminate ply.

Abstract: A case forming machine for erecting cases from knock down case form to an open form and move an opened case downward to a bottom forming station using a fixed and a moveable jaw system is improved by providing a plurality of radially spaced, concentric stabilizer bars fixed to the fixed jaw and arranged to form concentric segments of circles centered on the pivotal axis of the moveable jaw and having their bottom edges in a radial plane relative to the pivotal axis. Also provided is a micrometer type adjustment mechanism that is used for adjusting the gap between the fixed and moveable jaws when the jaws are in the parallel pick-up position.