VACUUM ASSISTED GATE ASSEMBLY FOR THE CARTON BLANK MAGAZINE OF A PACKAGING MACHINE

摘要

An improved gate assembly (38) for the carton blank magazine (10) of a packaging machine includes a frame (40) fixedly mounted on the magazine (10). The frame (40) has a longitudinal opening (48) formed therein for permitting the passage of a single carton blank therethrough. The frame (40) has air ducts (56) extending therethrough and receiving members (42) extending from the air ducts (56). Each of the receiving members has at least one slot (44) formed in the surface thereof facing the magazine (10). Each of the receiving members (42) also has an interior channel formed therein for communicating air between the slots (44) and the respective air duct (56). In operation, negative air pressure applied to the air ducts (56) induces a carton blank from the magazine (10) into contact with the receiving members (42).