AU2005201611B2 - Container assembly apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

- 12 An apparatus for assembling a container is disclosed. The apparatus includes: - a plurality of container blank storage means between them adapted to store blanks for a plurality of types of container; - a plurality of insert storage means between them adapted to store a plurality of 10 types of insert, each said insert suitable for use with at least one of said types of container; - container forming means adapted to, in use, form a selected one of said types of container from a suitable one of said container blanks, and to insert at least 15 one said suitable type of insert into said container, if required. The type of container selected to be formed can be varied without physical modification of the apparatus. 20 A method of operating a container assembly machine and a container assembled by the apparatus method are also disclosed. 25 (To be accompanied by Figure 1) H,\lindag\Keep\Speci\p56629 CONTAINER ASSEMBLY APPARATUS.doc 13/03/09 Figure 1

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant (s): Amcor Packaging (New Zealand) Limited Invention Title: CONTAINER ASSEMBLY APPARATUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: -2 CONTAINER ASSEMBLY APPARATUS The present invention relates to a container assembly apparatus and containers erected by the apparatus, and in particular, but not exclusively, to an s apparatus for assembling containers from corrugated cardboard and the like. To the present time machines for making containers have been dedicated to a particular and specific container construction. Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide several alternative options for construction using a single machine. 10 Summary Of The Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for assembling a container comprising: 15 - a plurality of container blank storage means between them adapted to store blanks for a plurality of types of container; - a plurality of insert storage means between them adapted to store a plurality of 20 types of insert, each said insert suitable for use with at least one of said types of container; - container forming means adapted to, in use, form a selected one of said types of container from a suitable one of said container blanks, and adapted to insert 25 at least one said suitable type of insert into said container, if required; wherein the type of container selected to be formed can be varied without modification of said apparatus. 30 Preferably, the apparatus may comprise conveyor means for transporting a suitable one of said blanks from said container blank storage means to said container forming means. In one embodiment, said container forming means may comprise a variable 35 width punch. 2547307_1 (GHMatters) P58829 AU -3 In an embodiment, said variable width punch may engage one or more of said inserts, if required, prior to forming said container. In an embodiment, a total width of said punch and any said inserts engaged by 5 said punch may be substantially equal to a preselected width. In an embodiment, said container forming means may be adapted to connect at least one of said plurality of types of insert to said container adjacent a wall of at least one of said types of container, to thereby increase a strength of said wall in use. 10 In an embodiment, said container forming apparatus may glue said insert to said wall. In an embodiment, said at least one of said plurality of types of said insert may 15 include a substantially flat sheet. In an embodiment, said container blank storage means may be arranged in substantially vertical columns on opposite sides of said machine. 20 In an embodiment, said insert storage means may be arranged in substantially vertical columns on opposite sides of said machine. According to a second aspect of the present invention a container forming apparatus is substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying 25 drawings. According to a third aspect of the present invention a container is formed by the apparatus of any one of the eleven immediately preceding paragraphs. 30 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a container assembly machine comprising; - selecting a required container blank from a plurality of container blank storage means operatively associated with the machine, the container blank storage 26473071 (GHMatters) P5629 AU -4 means between them adapted to store blanks for a plurality of types of container; - providing the option to select one or more required inserts from a plurality of insert storage means operatively associated with the machine, the insert 5 storage means between them adapted to store a plurality of types of insert, each said insert suitable for use with at least one of said types of container; - using container forming means operatively associated with the machine to form a container from said container blank, and, if required, to insert said one or more inserts into said container. 10 According to a further aspect of the present invention a container is formed by the method of the immediately preceding paragraph. According to a still further aspect of the present invention a container is provided 15 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments. Embodiments of this invention, will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 20 Brief Description Of The Drawings Figure 1: Is a perspective view of a container assembly machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 25 Figure 2: Is a plan view of the container assembly machine of Figure 1, with part of the punch actuating mechanism removed for clarity. Figure 3: Is a front elevation of the container assembly machine of Figure 1. 30 Figure 4: Is an end elevation of the container assembly machine of Figure 1. Figure 5: Shows diagrammatically two possible options for a container tray of one possible embodiment of the invention and four possible side wall insert options. 35 H:\1indag\Keep\Speci\p56629 CONTAINER ASSEMBLY APPARATUS.doc 13/03/09 -5 Best Mode For Performing The Invention Referring first to Figures 1 to 4, a container assembly machine according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally referenced 100. S A first container blank magazine 1 for storing blanks 2 for a first type of cardboard container is provided on a first side 200 of the machine 100, and a second container blank magazine 3 for storing blanks 4 for a second type of cardboard container is provided on an opposite side 300 of the machine 100. 10 A conveyor means, in this case a chain conveyor 5, transports a required blank 2 or 4 from the respective magazine 1, 3 to a forming station, generally referenced 6. The forming station 6 includes a punch 7 or forming plunger, and gluing 15 apparatus, which form and glue the selected blank into a finished container 8. The machine 100 is provided with four insert magazines 9, 10, 11, 12 for storing inserts (not shown). The inserts are preferably reinforcement panels for the walls of the container. 20 Each insert magazine 9,10,11, 12 may be provided with a different type of insert, but in a preferred embodiment pairs of magazines on opposite sides of the machine may be provided with substantially identical inserts, as is described further below. 25 If the type of container being assembled requires one or more inserts, then the appropriate magazine(s) 9, 10, 11, 12 moves forward to present an appropriate insert to the punch 7, and then retracts to a parked position. Magazines of this type are known to the art, particularly in the field of kiwifruit packing containers. 30 In a preferred embodiment the first container magazine 1 stores blanks 2 suitable for containers of a first type having a first height, and a first pair of insert magazines 9, 10, arranged on opposite sides of the machine 100, contain suitable inserts for the first type of container. 35 Hs\lindag\Keep\Speci\pS6629 CONTAINER ASSEMBLY APPARATUS.doc 13/03/09 -6 The second container magazine 3 contains blanks 4 for a second type of container having a second, lower, height, but substantially identical width and length dimension as the first type of container. A second pair of insert magazines 11, 12 are arranged substantially directly above said first pair of magazines 9, 10. 5 If the container is to be provided with one or more inserts from one or more of the magazines 9-12, then the punch 7 varies its width so that the total width of the punch 7 and any inserts it is carrying is appropriate for forming the particular type of container to be formed. In a preferred embodiment the width of the punch 7 and any 10 inserts it is carrying is substantially constant. In this way the width and length of the containers formed by the apparatus may be substantially identical regardless of the number of inserts which the container has been provided with. The inserts are preferably glued or laminated to the side walls of the container as is known to the art. 15 Referring next to Figure 5, two possible container tray shapes 10 a, 1 Ob are shown along with four possible insert shapes 11 a-d. One insert 11 a may be a flat corrugated sheet board which will simply provide an increased vertical side wall strength of the container. A further option is for the 20 insert 11b having returns 12 at each end which will be secured along the end wall of the tray 10a or 1Ob to increase side wall and corner strength. A further alternative is insert 11 c which is shown creased so as to form a triangulated corner post 13 and return which secured to the end wall of the tray will further increase 25 the strength in the corners of the container and provide the container with improved rigidity and stackability. A further option 1ld is provided by horizontally folded sheet board which may incorporate a sliding lug feature 14 which will further increase the side wall load 30 strength of the resultant container and the lugs 14 will provide for improved stackability with similar containers. Typically the components 11 a-d may be of any suitable paper grammage which may be varied independently of the paper grammage used for the trays 1Oa, 1Ob as H.\lindag\Keep\Speci\p56629 CONTAINER ASSEMBLY APPARATUS.doc 13/03/09 -7 can the respective flute directions, and depending on the load strength required of the finished container in any particular application. In this embodiment the container trays 1 0a, 10b have substantially identical 5 dimensions, but different corner constructions. In a preferred embodiment the machine uses only substantially flat inserts 10a, with no returns running along the end wall of the tray. As is described above, the insert magazines may be provided with inserts of similar design but varying height. 10 No physical modification of the machine is required in the transition between manufacturing different types of container. If a different blank is required, then the blank is automatically taken from the appropriate magazine. If a different insert is required, then the correct magazine moves forward to present the blank to the punch. The operator does not need to manually change any physical characteristic of the 15 machine. In another embodiment (not shown) a container forming machine may be provided with additional container blank magazines and/or additional insert magazines. Preferably the magazine(s) may be positioned in substantially vertical columns on 20 either side of the machine so that the footprint of the machine is minimized. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention provides a container forming machine which provides additional flexibility over those of the prior art. The machine may switch from manufacture of a first type of container to a second 25 type of container without requiring any physical modification, or any significant delay. This may allow, for example, a small run of an unusual type of container to be assembled automatically on the same machine as normally produces large volumes of a more common type of container. 30 In other embodiments the container assembly machine may automatically change the type of container being produced, including whether the container includes one or more inserts or not, depending on the characteristics of the particular product that specific container is intended to accommodate. In a preferred embodiment the H.\lindag\Keep\Speci\p56629 CONTAINER ASSEMBLY APPARATUS.doc 13/03/09 -8 container forming machine may be used in a meat packing plant and may produce an appropriate size and/or type of container for a particular piece of meat. Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific 5 components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or 10 improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary 15 implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 2647307_1 (GHMatters) P58629.AU

Claims (15)

1. Apparatus for assembling a container comprising: 5 - a plurality of container blank storage means between them adapted to store blanks for a plurality of types of container; - a plurality of insert storage means between them adapted to store a plurality of 10 types of insert, each said insert suitable for use with at least one of said types of container; - container forming means adapted to, in use, form a selected one of said types of container from a suitable one of said container blanks, and adapted to insert 15 at least one said suitable type of insert into said container, if required; - wherein the type of container selected to be formed can be varied without modification of said apparatus. 20

2. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising conveyor means for transporting a suitable one of said blanks from said container blank storage means to said container forming means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein said container forming means includes a 25 variable width punch.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said variable width punch engages one or more of said inserts, if required, prior to forming said container. 30

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a total width of said punch and any said inserts engaged by said punch is substantially equal to a preselected width.

6. The apparatus of any one of the previous claims, wherein said container forming means is adapted to connect at least one of said plurality of types of 35 insert to said container adjacent a wall of at least one of said types of container, to thereby increase a strength of said wall in use. 2647307_1 (GHMatters) P56829.AU -10

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said container forming apparatus glues said insert to said wall.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein said at least one of said plurality of s types of said insert includes a substantially flat sheet.

9. The apparatus of any one of the previous claims, wherein said container blank storage means are arranged in substantially vertical columns on opposite sides of said machine. 10

10. The apparatus of any one of the previous claims wherein said insert storage means are arranged in substantially vertical columns on opposite sides of said machine. is

11. A container forming apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A container formed by the apparatus of any one of claims 1-11. 20

13. A method of operating a container assembly machine comprising: * selecting a required container blank from a plurality of container blank storage means operatively associated with the machine, the container blank storage means between them adapted to store blanks for a plurality of types of 25 container; * providing the option to select one or more required inserts from a plurality of insert storage means operatively associated with the machine, the insert storage means between them adapted to store a plurality of types of insert, 30 each said insert suitable for use with at least one of said types of container; * using container forming means operatively associated with the machine to form a container from said container blank, and, if required, to insert said one or more inserts into said container. 35

14. A container formed by the method of claim 13.

2847307.1 (GHMatters) PS829 AU - 11

15. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments of Figure 5. 2647307_1 (GHMatters) P5829 AU