Apparatus and method for forming and debowing cartons

Abstract

An apparatus and method for forming flat cut carton blanks into erected cartons with debowed carton side panels is disclosed. The apparatus includes a forming head receiving and directing a carton blank through forming guides, side walls engaging and supporting the carton side panels that bend into upright position relative to the carton bottom panel during descending movement through the forming guides. Presser fingers pivotally secured to the forming guides project inwardly into the forming head path. The presser fingers bend the side panels into cutout openings provided in the side walls to overbreak the side panels at fold lines between the carton side and bottom panels. An inclined surface with a sharp creasing edge abutting the fold lines enables the presser fingers to initially crease the fold lines and thereafter bend the carton side panels inwardly onto the inclined surface for controlled overbreaking movement. The height of the cutout opening allows each carton side panel to clear the upper periphery of the openings to prevent buckling. After debowing the side panels, the presser fingers engage the upper edges of the carton side panels to strip the erected cartons from the forming head during the ascending return stroke. Notches provided in the side walls serve to prevent interference contact of the presser fingers with the forming head.