Crate-erecting machine

Abstract

A crate-erecting machine 50 for erecting a collapsible crate comprising a bottom wall panel, a pair of side wall panels hinged to the bottom wall panel, and a pair of end wall panels hinged to the bottom wall panel, comprises a magazine 51 for holding a stack of collapsed crates, an erecting mechanism 90 for erecting a crate held in the magazine 51 , a transfer mechanism 91 for transferring the crate to the erecting mechanism 90 , and a dispensing mechanism 60 for dispensing the crate from the magazine 51 to the transfer mechanism 91.

1 . A crate-erecting machine for erecting a collapsible crate comprising a bottom wall panel, a pair of side wall panels hinged to the bottom wall panel, and a pair of end wall panels hinged to the bottom wall panel, the machine comprising a magazine for holding a stack of collapsed crates, an erecting mechanism for erecting a crate held in the magazine, a transfer mechanism for transferring the crate to the erecting mechanism, and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the crate from the magazine to the transfer mechanism. 
   
   
       2 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the erecting mechanism includes a pair of side wall panel lifting mechanisms for erecting the side wall panels of the crate. 
   
   
       3 . The machine of  claim 2 , wherein each side wall panel lifting mechanism includes a clamping mechanism operable to clamp on to one of the side wall panels of the crate, and a side wall panel pivoting mechanism operable to pivot the clamped side wall panel relative to the bottom wall panel of the crate. 
   
   
       4 . The machine of  claim 3 , wherein the clamping mechanism includes a pair of clamping members for engaging with the side wall panel, and a pair of actuators operable to force the clamping members against the side wall panel such that the side wall panel is thereby clamped between the clamping members. 
   
   
       5 . The machine of  claim 3 , wherein the side wall panel pivoting mechanism includes a support member, a pivot member secured relative to the clamping mechanism and the support member such that the pivot member is able to pivot relative to the support member, and an actuator operable to pivot the pivot member relative to the support member to thereby pivot the clamped side wall panel relative to the bottom wall panel of the crate. 
   
   
       6 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the erecting mechanism includes a pair of end wall panel lifting mechanisms for erecting the end wall panels of the crate. 
   
   
       7 . The machine of  claim 6 , wherein each end wall panel lifting mechanism includes a panel engaging member for engaging with one of the end wall panels of the crate, and an end wall panel pivoting mechanism for pivoting the engaged end wall panel relative to the bottom wall panel of the crate. 
   
   
       8 . The machine of  claim 7 , wherein the panel engaging member is a claw member. 
   
   
       9 . The machine of  claim 7 , wherein the end wall panel pivoting mechanism preferably includes an axle, a pivotable and extendable arm extending between the panel engaging member and the axle, and an actuator operable to pivot the arm about the axle to thereby pivot the engaged end wall panel relative to the bottom wall panel of the crate. 
   
   
       10 . The machine of  claim 7 , wherein the erecting mechanism further comprises an overhead rail, a carriage secured relative to the end wall panel pivoting mechanism and mounted on the rail such that the carriage is able to be moved relative to the rail, and an actuator operable to move the carriage relative to the rail. 
   
   
       11 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the machine includes a plurality of erecting mechanisms which are each able to erect a different type of crate. 
   
   
       12 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a plurality of rotatable sprockets, a continuous drive chain trained around the sprockets, a projection which extends from the drive chain and which is able to engage with a crate dispensed from the magazine, a motor operable to rotate the sprockets such that the drive chain circulates around the sprockets, and a plurality of support rails for supporting the crate as it is transferred to the erecting mechanism. 
   
   
       13 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the machine is adapted so that crates are transferred to the erecting mechanism by the transfer mechanism such that a leading portion of each crate is the wider of an end or a side of the bottom wall panel of the crate. 
   
   
       14 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the machine also includes a stopping mechanism operable to prevent a crate from being transferred beyond the erecting mechanism before the crate has been erected. 
   
   
       15 . The machine of  claim 14 , wherein the stopping mechanism includes a rotatable axle, a stopping member secured relative to the axle, and an actuator operable to rotate the axle so that the stopping member is able to engage with a crate which is transferred to the erecting mechanism. 
   
   
       16 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the stopping mechanism also includes a sensor for sensing if a crate is being transferred to the erecting mechanism, wherein the actuator is responsive to the sensor. 
   
   
       17 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a lowering mechanism operable to lower a crate held in the magazine on to the transfer mechanism, and a clamping mechanism operable to prevent the other crates held in the magazine from being lowered on to the transfer mechanism while the crate is being lowered on to the transfer mechanism.