Carton orientation system

Abstract

There is provided a system for re-orienting erected cartons having an opening through which primary containers, such as bottles or cans, in a “unit” are to be inserted. The erected cartons are adapted to rotate to make the opening accessible to bottle loading equipment only in a manner which ensures that the geometry of the opening is not deformed from that of the originally erected carton.

1 . A device for re-orienting erected cartons having a base wall, side walls, end walls and an opening remote from said base and through which primary containers can be introduced, said device comprising means for transporting erected cartons lying on an end or side wall thereof to an orientation station which includes first support means adapted to support a carton along a longitudinal zone of said end or side wall laterally spaced from a longitudinal plane containing a centre of gravity of the said carton and carton restraining means adapted to prevent said carton from rotating off said first support means under gravity to a second support means until upon rotation of said carton, a longitudinal zone of a base wall thereof which first contacts said second support is substantially parallel thereto as said contact is made.