Bulk bin former apparatus and method

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A method of forming a ready to use bulk bin, the method comprising the steps of:
utilizing an automated machine that includes an erecting and constructing station, a collapsed body blank supply station adjacent a first side of the erecting and constructing station and a bottom blank supply station adjacent a second side of the erecting and 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 eight 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 eight flaps; aligning the bottom blank with the opened body blank at the erecting and constructing station, each of the eight flaps of the bottom blank having glue thereon; moving a body blank support head into an open first end of the opened body blank at the erecting and constructing station 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 at the erecting and constructing station by engaging each of the eight flaps of the bottom blank into a folded position alongside a respective one of the eight side walls of the opened body blank such that each flap is pressed against its respective side wall while the body blank support head is positioned to maintain position of each of the side walls; and disengaging each flap when each flap is sufficiently adhered to its respective side wall 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.