Methods and systems for forming trays

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12459224-B2
Application number	US-202318203957-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 31, 2023
Priority date	Dec 1, 2021
Publication date	Nov 4, 2025
Grant date	Nov 4, 2025

Abstract

A method of forming a tray includes obtaining a blank, the blank having a plurality of panels and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The method further includes positioning the blank in a blank feeder assembly of a system for forming a tray, moving the blank to a tray forming assembly, the tray forming assembly including a tray forming assembly, the tray forming assembly including a turret assembly comprising a plurality of female tray forming members, the tray forming assembly further comprising a piston assembly including a male forming member, positioning the blank between the turret assembly and the piston assembly, and moving the piston assembly into at least partial engagement with the turret assembly to form a tray from the blank.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for forming a tray, the system comprising:
an upstream end; a downstream end; a blank feeder assembly positioned at an upstream end of the system, the blank feeder assembly comprising a blank infeed configured to receive at least one blank for forming a tray, the blank feeder assembly comprising a blank distribution mechanism configured to engage and move the at least one blank in a machine direction of the system; and a tray forming assembly positioned downstream from the blank feeder assembly, the tray forming assembly comprising a turret assembly comprising a plurality of female tray forming members, the turret assembly further comprising a turret body rotatably mounted to a portion of the system, the tray forming assembly further comprising a piston assembly comprising a male forming member for being at least partially received in a respective female tray forming member of the plurality of female tray forming members for forming a tray from the at least one blank.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein each female tray forming member comprises a tray forming receiver at least partially extending around a tray forming cavity for at least partially receiving a portion of the piston assembly.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein at least one flange forming plate is coupled to the respective tray forming receiver, the flange forming plate extending outwardly from the respective tray forming receiver.

4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the male tray forming member comprises a plurality of sides and a bottom, the male tray forming member for being at least partially received in a respective tray forming cavity.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of sides of the male tray forming member are obliquely arranged relative to the bottom of the male tray forming member.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of female tray forming assemblies are circumferentially arranged about the turret body.

7 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the male forming member is for being at least partially received in a respective tray forming cavity for at least partially folding the plurality of panels around an interior of the tray.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the turret body is rotatable for positioning a selected female tray forming member into alignment with the piston assembly.

9 . A tray forming assembly, comprising:
a turret assembly comprising a plurality of female tray forming members, the turret assembly further comprising a turret body rotatably mounted to a portion of a tray forming system; and a piston assembly comprising a male forming member for being at least partially received in a respective female tray forming member of the plurality of female tray forming members for forming a tray from at least one blank.

10 . The tray forming assembly of claim 9 , wherein each female tray forming member comprises a tray forming receiver at least partially extending around a tray forming cavity for at least partially receiving a portion of the piston assembly.

11 . The tray forming assembly of claim 10 , wherein at least one flange forming plate is coupled to the respective tray forming receiver, the flange forming plate extending outwardly from the respective tray forming receiver.

12 . The tray forming assembly of claim 10 , wherein the male tray forming member comprises a plurality of sides and a bottom, the male tray forming member for being at least partially received in a respective tray forming cavity.

13 . The tray forming assembly of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of sides of the male tray forming member are obliquely arranged relative to the bottom of the male tray forming member.

14 . The tray forming assembly of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of female tray forming assemblies are circumferentially arranged about the turret body.

15 . The tray forming assembly of 12 , wherein the male forming member is for being at least partially received in a respective tray forming cavity for at least partially folding the plurality of panels around an interior of the tray.

16 . The tray forming assembly of claim 15 , wherein the turret body is rotatable for positioning a selected female tray forming member into alignment with the piston assembly.

Assignees

• Graphic Packaging Int Llc

Inventors

• Walsh Joseph C
• Conatser Robert L
• Woodward Mark
• Ford Colin P
• Westerlund Shawn

Classifications

• B31B50/06

  from stacks · CPC title

• B31B2100/0024

  having all side walls attached to the bottom · CPC title

• B31B2110/30

  having a polygonal cross section · CPC title

• B31B50/46

  and interconnecting side walls · CPC title

• B31B2110/35

  rectangular, e.g. square · CPC title