Outfeed table

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10071472-B2
Application number	US-201514856130-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 16, 2015
Priority date	May 9, 2014
Publication date	Sep 11, 2018
Grant date	Sep 11, 2018

Abstract

A system that converts fanfold material into packaging templates includes a converting machine and an outfeed table. The converting machine has a converting assembly that performs conversion functions, such as cutting, creasing, and scoring, on fanfold material as the fanfold material moves through the converting machine. The outfeed table guides the packaging templates out of the converting machine in a first direction. The outfeed table then directs the packaging templates to a user side of the outfeed table so that a user may readily retrieve the packaging templates from the user side of the outfeed table.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for forming packaging templates, the system comprising:
a converting machine that converts raw material into packaging templates for assembly into boxes or other packaging; and
an outfeed table, comprising:
a frame;
an outfeed guide connected to the frame, the outfeed guide being aligned with the converting machine to guide a packaging template out of the converting machine in a first direction, the packaging template being formed from raw material from a supply of raw material, the outfeed guide having a longitudinal axis that extends generally parallel to the first direction, the outfeed guide being aligned with the converting machine such that the outfeed guide supports the packaging template from underneath as the packaging template is fed out of the converting machine in the first direction, the outfeed guide being horizontally offset from a center of gravity of the packaging template such that the outfeed guide is not positioned under the center of gravity of the packaging template, the outfeed guide being pivotally connected to the frame via a pivot frame that pivots relative to the frame in order to adjust the horizontal or vertical position of the outfeed guide;
a retrieval guide connected to the frame, the retrieval guide having a first side and a second side, the second side being positioned adjacent to the outfeed guide and the first side being positioned away from the outfeed guide, the retrieval guide comprising an angled surface such that the first side is vertically lower than the second side to enable a packaging template to slide across the angled surface in a second direction towards the first side, where the packaging template can be retrieved;
one or more stops disposed along the first side of the retrieval guide, the one or more stops being configured to prevent a packaging template from sliding off of the retrieval guide; and
a limit mechanism that restricts a degree to which the pivot frame may pivot, thereby limiting the adjustment of the horizontal or vertical position of the outfeed guide.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the outfeed guide comprises a generally planar surface.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outfeed guide and the retrieval guide is rotatably connected to the frame such that the at least one of the outfeed guide and the retrieval guide can be rotated relative to the frame to provide access to an area underneath the at least one of the outfeed guide and the retrieval guide.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second outfeed guide connected to the frame, the second outfeed guide being configured to guide a second packaging template out of the converting machine, the second packaging template being formed from raw material from a second supply of raw material.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the second outfeed guide is aligned with the converting machine to guide the second packaging template out of the converting machine in the first direction, the second outfeed guide being aligned with the converting machine such that the second outfeed guide is configured to support the second packaging template from underneath as the second packaging template is fed out of the converting machine in the first direction, the second outfeed guide being horizontally offset from a center a gravity of the second packaging template such that the second outfeed guide is not positioned under the center of gravity of the second packaging template.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the second outfeed guide is positioned vertically above the retrieval guide.

7. The system of claim 4 , wherein the second outfeed guide is horizontally offset from the outfeed guide.

8. The system of claim 4 , wherein the second outfeed guide is adjustably connected to the frame such that a horizontal or vertical position of the second outfeed guide is selectively adjustable.

9. The system of claim 4 , further comprising a second retrieval guide, the second retrieval guide being associated with the second outfeed guide.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the second retrieval guide has a first side and a second side, the second side being positioned adjacent to the second outfeed guide and the first side being positioned away from the second outfeed guide, the second retrieval guide comprising an angled surface such that the first side is vertically lower than the second side to enable a packaging template to slide across the angled surface in the second direction towards the first side, where the packaging template can be retrieved.

11. An outfeed table for use in connection with a converting machine that converts fanfold material into packaging templates for assembly into boxes or other packaging, the outfeed table comprising:
a frame;
a first outfeed guide connected to the frame, the first outfeed guide being configured to guide a first packaging template out of a converting machine, the packaging template being formed from fanfold material from a first fanfold bale, the first outfeed guide being configured to be horizontally offset from a center a gravity of the first packaging template such that the first outfeed guide is not positioned under the center of gravity of the first packaging template;
a second outfeed guide connected to the frame, the second outfeed guide being configured to guide a second packaging template out of a converting machine, the second packaging template being formed from fanfold material from a second fanfold bale, the second outfeed guide being configured to be horizontally offset from a center a gravity of the second packaging template such that the second outfeed guide is not positioned under the center of gravity of the second packaging template, the second outfeed guide being horizontally offset from the first outfeed guide; and
a retrieval guide connected to the frame, the retrieval guide having a first side and a second side, the second side being positioned adjacent to the first outfeed guide and the first side being positioned away from the first outfeed guide, the retrieval guide comprising an angled surface such that the first side is vertically lower than the second side to enable the first packaging template to slide across the angled surface towards the first side, where the first packaging template can be retrieved.

12. The outfeed table of claim 11 , wherein the second outfeed guide is positioned vertically above the retrieval guide.

13. The outfeed table of claim 11 , wherein the second outfeed guide is configured to allow the second packaging template to descend onto the retrieval guide.

14. The outfeed table of claim 11 , wherein the first outfeed guide comprises a generally planar surface.

15. An outfeed table for use in connection with a converting machine that converts raw material into packaging templates for assembly into boxes or other packaging, the outfeed table comprising:
a frame;
a first outfeed guide connected to the frame, the first outfeed guide being configured to guide a first packaging template out of a converting machine, the packaging template being formed from raw material from a first supply of raw material, the first outfeed guide being configured to be horizontally offset from a center a gravity of the first packaging template such that the first outfeed guide is not positioned under the center of gravity of the first packaging template;
a second outfeed guide comprising an elongated tubular member connected to the frame, the second outfeed guide being configured to guide a second packaging template out of a converting machine, the second packaging template being formed from raw ma

Assignees

• Packsize Llc

Inventors

• Osterhout Ryan
• Pettersson Niklas

Classifications

• Y10T83/222

  With receptacle or support for cut product · CPC title

• Y10T83/2216

  Inclined conduit, chute or plane · CPC title

• B65H2404/692

  Chute, e.g. inclined surface on which material slides by gravity · CPC title

• B65H29/26

  by dropping {the articles} · CPC title

• B31B2110/35

  rectangular, e.g. square · CPC title