Importance

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Abstract

A carton feeder assembly is positioned substantially at the infeed conveyor level and includes a carton supply assembly, a carton selector, a carton opener, and a carton erector. The carton supply assembly has a carton supply position, a carton holding position, and a carton selecting position. The carton selector includes a pair of feeder wheels with corresponding suction devices and respective motion defining assemblies. The motion defining assemblies cause the suction devices to move along a linear pick line as the feeder wheels rotate, so that the suction devices can apply a suction on a carton to be selected. The selected carton is brought into contact with the feeder wheels by retraction of the suction devices caused by respective motion defining assemblies, so that the carton moves with the feeder wheels to the carton opener. The carton opener includes a vacuum belt which applies suction to one surface of the selected carton as a carton opening wheel applies a suction to a second side of the selected carton. As the vacuum belt moves the carton in a linear direction, the carton opening wheel rotates the second side of the carton so that the carton opens. The vacuum belt then feeds the opened carton into leading lugs on respective chains of the carton erector. Trailing lugs rotate into position behind the opened carton to hold the carton in an erect position suitable for loading the carton with articles such as bottles or cans.

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First Claim