Roberts Systems, Inc.

Roverts Systems, Inc.

Jimmy R Bridges

Claude E Monsees

Phillip S LaChapelle

John T Roberts

A vastly improved folder/gluer is disclosed. This folder/gluer: is much more reliable, produces better folds, runs faster, and can be modified much easier, than prior art folder/gluers. These features are achieved by using a vacuum conveyor with overhead folding elements. Furthermore, the top of the article to be folded is never touched by another conveyor.

Vacuum hold down folder/gluers and process

An integrated and automated case packing device and method is disclosed. The device and method uses multiple stations to: separate a flattened case from a supply of such cases, detect whether the case in an A or B-type case, open the case according to the type of case, place a predetermined number of imbricated articles into a group standing on edge, move that group under the erected case, place the case over the stationary group, close the flaps to the case, and move the case downstream to a case invertor.

Case packing apparatus and method

A case erector with A-B detect is disclosed. This case erector eliminates the need to sort A and B type cases and thus increases the rate at which boxes can be erected. Whether the case is an A or B type case determines how far into the case erector the flattened case is fed and whether the case is unfolded to the left or the right.

Case erector with A-B detection

A prefeeder gate (10) is comprised of an elongated arm (12) extending outwardly at different points to form a first seat (14) and a second seat (16) having a lower portion (16a) and an upper portion (16b), nip rollers (17) attached to an operative end of the arm, a first shaft (18) received in the first seat and in the lower portion of the second seat, a body (20) having at one end a threaded bore (24) formed therein and having a frame attachment assembly (22) another end, a second shaft (42) having a first externally threaded end and a second end, the second shaft journaled in the upper portion of the second seat, the first externally threaded end being threadably received in the threaded bore, a nip adjustment knob (44) received on the second end of the second shaft, a spring (48) coiled around the second shaft intermediate the second seat and the nip adjustment knob, and slide bearings (56, 58) interconnecting the body and the first shaft, the slide bearings being adapted to slide along a length of the first shaft. The nip rollers are thereby vertically displaceable with respect to the body responsive to thickness of conveyed articles contacted by the nip rollers, making the prefeeder gate a floating, compensating gate adapted to convert a stack of a plurality of articles into a uniform shingled arrangement of such articles, regardless of the size and weight of the stack.

Growing community of inventors

Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Jimmy R Bridges