Carton flap folder

Abstract

An apparatus and associated method for folding a flap on a work piece. The apparatus comprises a central frame, and a reference surface supported by the frame operatively receivingly engaging the work piece. A positioning and folding device comprises a circular pin extendable over the reference surface and longitudinally moveable to abuttingly engage and position the work piece. An actuator rotates the pin between a first position and a second position. A tamping member extends from the pin and defines an abutting surface abuttingly engaging the work piece in the first position of the pin. A folding member extends from the distal end of the tamping member, and is clearingly angled away from the work piece in the first position of the pin. The folding member foldingly engages the flap in the second position of the pin. The pin maintains the abutting engagement against the work piece at the first and second positions and therebetween.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for folding a flap on a work piece, comprising: 
 a central frame;    a reference surface supported by the frame operatively receivingly engaging the work piece;    a positioning and folding device comprising: 
 a circular pin extendable over the reference surface and longitudinally moveable to abuttingly engage and position the work piece;  
 an actuator rotating the pin between a first position and a second position;  
 a tamping member extending from the pin and defining an abutting surface abuttingly engaging the work piece in the first position of the pin;  
 a folding member extending from the distal end of the tamping member clearingly angled away from the work piece in the first position of the pin, and foldingly engaging the flap in the second position of the pin, the pin maintaining the abutting engagement against the work piece at the first and second positions and therebetween.  
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the positioning and folding device is moveable transversely to the reference surface adaptively accommodating work pieces of various heights.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a sensor detecting the height of the work piece.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the sensor comprises a scanner adapted to read a bar code placed on the work piece indicative of the work piece height.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a controller responsive to the sensor for automatically moving the positioning and folding device in accordance with the height of the work piece.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a pair of positioning and folding devices moveable toward each other and opposingly engageable against the work piece.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a second positioning device positioning the work piece along an axis different than the longitudinal axis associated with the pin.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the work piece with the flap in the unfolded state defines an open ended carton, the apparatus further comprising a plunger extendable into the open end and adapted for moving any portion of an object that is partially extending outside the carton into the carton.  
     
     
         9 . A folding apparatus for work pieces having a foldable flap, comprising: 
 a central frame supporting a reference surface receivingly engaging the work piece; and    means for folding the flap by employing a positioning and folding device that simultaneously positions the work piece and folds the flap.    
     
     
         10  The folding apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the means for folding is characterized by a positioning and folding device comprising: 
 a circular pin extendable over the reference surface and longitudinally moveable to abuttingly engage and position the work piece;  
 an actuator rotating the pin between a first position and a second position;  
 a tamping member extending from the pin and defining an abutting surface abuttingly engaging the work piece in the first position of the pin;  
 a folding member extending from the distal end of the tamping member clearingly angled away from the work piece in the first position of the pin, and foldingly engaging the flap in the second position of the pin, the pin maintaining the abutting engagement against the work piece at the first and second positions and therebetween.  
 
     
     
         11 . The folding apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the means for folding is characteristically moveable transversely to the reference surface accommodating work pieces of various heights.  
     
     
         12 . The folding apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the means for folding further comprising a sensor detecting the height of the work piece.  
     
     
         13 . The folding apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the means for folding comprises a sensor characterized by a scanner adapted to read a bar code placed on the work piece indicative of the work piece height.  
     
     
         14 . The folding apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the means for folding is characterized by a controller responsive to the sensor for automatically moving the positioning and folding device in accordance with the height of the work piece.  
     
     
         15 . The folding apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the means for folding is characterized by a pair of positioning and folding devices moveable toward each other and opposingly engageable against the work piece.  
     
     
         16 . A method for automatically folding a work piece having a foldable flap, comprising: 
 positioning the work piece in a reference position by abuttingly engaging the work piece with a round positioning member;    providing a clamping member depending from the positioning member and defining a clamping surface clamping the work piece in the clamped position of the clamping member;    rotating the positioning member while maintaining the abutting engagement therewith the work piece, thereby pressingly engaging-a distal end of the clamping member against the flap to fold the flap at a desired angle.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising determining the height of the work piece and responsively positioning the positioning member.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising pushing any portion of an object that is partially extending outside the carton into the carton before the rotating step.