Method for storing, transporting and dispensing cartons

Abstract

Cartons ( 10 ) are stored in imbricated fashion on a coil, or spiral roll ( 20 ). An imbricated roll or coil of cartons is wound around a disk utilizing a length of a tape, band or belt ( 24 ). A de-curler mechanism removes a curl that is imparted to cartons stored on a roll so as to restore the cartons to a substantially flat condition.

1 . A carton storage medium comprising: 
 a plurality of cartons in collapsed condition disposed in an imbricated configuration.    
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cartons in collapsed condition are disposed in an imbricated coil.  
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 1 , further comprising means for stabilizing said imbricated configuration.  
     
     
         4 . The invention of  claim 3 , wherein said means for stabilizing said imbricated configuration comprises said plurality of cartons in collapsed condition disposed over a substantially flat elongated member.  
     
     
         5 . The invention of  claim 4 , wherein said substantially flat elongated member is selected from the group consisting of a tape, band or belt.  
     
     
         6 . A method for storing cartons, the method comprising: 
 disposing a plurality of cartons of collapsed condition in a continuous imbricated configuration.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of cartons of collapsed condition are disposed in a continuous imbricated coil.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of cartons of a collapsed condition are disposed along a length of a substantially flat elongated member.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said substantially flat elongated member is selected from the group consisting of a tape, band or belt.  
     
     
         10 . A method for feeding cartons into a cartoning machine, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a stream of imbricated collapsed cartons;    removing individual cartons from the stream; and    erecting the cartons that have been removed from the stream.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , including the step of counteracting a curl that may have been imparted to the imbricated collapsed cartons.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of counteracting a curl comprises passing the cartons through a series of at least one roller mechanism that imparts a reverse curl to the cartons.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of counteracting a curl comprises drawing the cartons across a curved surface having a variable radius so as to impart a reverse curl to the cartons.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of counteracting a curl comprises passing the cartons through a framework having a corkscrew-like configuration so as to impart a reverse curl to the cartons.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of counteracting a curl comprises passing the cartons through a multi-wheeled carton erector so as to impart a reverse curl to the cartons.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein each wheel revolves in a direction counter to its adjacent wheel.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of  claim 15  is preceded by placing the cartons in upright condition in a gathering compartment.