US2968226A

US2968226A - Carton opening machine

Info

Publication number: US2968226A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward J Derderian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-09-23
Filing date: 1958-09-23
Publication date: 1961-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 1978-01-17

Description

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 23, 1958 NRLS mmnn RNRM Mw m RWWT M @A J. m m m w w o s 3 17,1961 E. J. DERDERIAN CARTON OPENING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 23, 1958 EDWARD J. DEROER/A/b INVENTOR HUEBNER 8 WORREL A 77'0RNEKS Jan. 17, 1961 Filed Sept. 25, 1958 E. J. DERDERIAN CARTON OPENING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 5 EDWARD J. DERDERIAN /N VE N 70/? HUEBNER 8 WORRE L A TTORNEKS Jan. 17, 1961 5,.1. DERDERIAN 2,968,226

CARTON OPENING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1958 4 sheets-sheet 4 EDWARD J. DERDER/AN} INVENTOP HUEBNER 8 WORREL A TTORNEYS" United States Patent 2,968,216 CARTON OPENING MACHINE l l dward J perderian, 251 ,N.-WilSl1,.FreSn0, Calif. zFiled Sept. 23, 19.5.8, Ser. No. 762,781

The present invention relates to a carton opening machine and more particularly to an apparatus for mechanically opening boxes of foldable sheet material from a flat folded condition to a substantially rectangular open condition. I

The boxes with which the present invention is concerned are of foldable sheet material usually made of cardboard, fiberboard, or other foldable sheet material, hereinafter generically referred to as paperboard for descriptive convenience. Such boxes are normally formed in manufacture so as to provide opposite end and side walls interconnectedalong fold lines defining corners for'the box and to provide upper andlower oppositeend and sideflapsrespectively connected along fold lines to theend and side wallsbut not connected to each other. For shipping,.storing, stacking, andthe like, such boxes are normally folded inflat condition. In such condition, a box isrusually folded along .diagonallyrelated corner fold lines .withthefiaps opento bring anadjacent end and sidewall into opposed contact with the other end and side-wall and likewise to'bring the respective upper .and' lowerflaps into. contact.

In order to fill the box, such .asin a packing operation, it is necessary first to unfold the box into open, substantially rectangular condition. Next, the bottom endand side flaps are usually folded into overlapping relation priorto filling, and the top end and sideflaps' overlapped subsequentto filling. -Ther eafter,-the end and sidev flaps are sealed in place. In the past the preliminary unfolding step:has been performed largely byhand. -It is obviously a time consuming, laborious, andexpensivetask. Although machines have been devised 1 prior to; the .subject invention for mechanically unfolding such boxes, they have been relatively more complex and expensive than desirable. Further, the known prior art in this field has generally consisted ofprecision machines which have required considerable care and attention to operate, maintain, and repair.

Accordingly, it is an objectofthe presentinvention to provide a machine for mechanically opening boxes offoldable sheet material frorna flat foldedfcondition into a substantially rectangular open position; i Another object is to provide an economical box openingmachine.

Another object is to provide a box opening machine which is simple to operate, maintain, repair, and t he like. V Another-object istoprovide abox opening machine containing a minimum of precision parts thereby-requiring lessc'are and atte ntion'to operate than the machines of the prior art in this field.

.Ano ther object is to provide a box. opening machine .which does not damage abox' during the opening" operation. i

Another object is to provide amachine of the nature describedwhich opens'boxes rapid successionliand coplanar relation with the outer slides.

2,968,226 Patented Jan. 17, 1961 ICE.

which operates continuously with a minimum of interruption as' long as boxes are supplied to the machine.

These, together with other objects, will become more fully apparent upon reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a box opening machine embodying the principles of the present invention showing a plurality of boxes in full lines being supplied to the machine, showing a box in double dashed lines in partially open condition, and showing a box in single dashed lines in fully open condition.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary plan view of a portion of the machine, as seen in Fig. 2, but with abox shown therein in cross section in partially unfolded condition just prior to the partially open condition shown in double dashed lines in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 taken on line 55 in Fig. 2 with the feeding mechanism omitted and showing a folded box in an initial stage of unfolding in advance of that shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the box in a stage of the opening procedure subsequent to that in Fig. 5 but in advance of that in Fig. .4.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the condition of the box subsequent to that in Fig.4 but in advance of the double dashed line position indicated in :Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical section taken on line 8- 8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a somewhat enlarged perspective view of a portion of a box supporting panel and a detail of a box opening wedge employed in the subject invention.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the wedge and mounting structure of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a box ofthe type adapted to be opened by the machine of the subject invention showing the box in unfolded open condition.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the machine of the subject invention includes an elongated support frame 15, best seen in Fig. 1. The frame has .a pair of substantially horizontalL-shapedlongitudinal .side members 16 having aligned main portions 17 in spaced relation and transversely outwardly extended spaced parallel horizontal portions .18. A substantially straight longitudinal side member 20 extends in spaced parallel relation to the main portions of the side members .16. Both of the side members have horizontal flanges 21 and downwardly extended vertical flanges 22. ,Suitable bracing, as 23, transversely rigidly interconnects the side members of the support frame. No special emphasis "ing sides 29'and' 30 are supported in the'frame 15 in parallel relation to and between the horizontal portions 18 of the side frame members 16. The outer slides have horizontal and vertical flanges. Additionally, intermediate' slides 31 are supported in substantially horizontal With reference to'Fig. 2,

blocks

32 and 33 rigidly transversely interconnect adjacent outer and intermediate slides. An elongated slide' adjusting screw 34 provides an inner end 'rotatably mounted in the block 32 and an outer end journaledin the support frame. The screw has threads 3 intermediate its ends which are screw-threadably extended through the block 33. By rotating the screw, it will be evident that the blocks and their corresponding slides are transversely adjusted relative to each other.

An elongated generally rectangular box guiding plate 40 is rigidly mounted in the frame 15 in vertical position and longitudinally extended in substantially parallel relation between the

side members

17 and 20. The guiding plate is positioned opposite to the space between the auxiliary portions 18 of the L-shaped side members 17 in right-angular relatfon to the

slides

28, 30 and 31, as best seen in Fig. 1. The guiding plate has a lower edge 42 in adjacent spaced relation to the slides, an upper edge 41, and an elongated slot 43 extended longitudinally of the plate substantially parallel to and between the upper and lower edges, as best seen in Fig. 2. For purposes subsequently to be apparent, the plate is cut away at one end thereof providing a notch 44. For purposes of convenient subsequent reference, the support frame 15 is regarded as having a forward end portion 46 and a rearward end portion 47.

Front and

rear wings

52 and 53 rigidly extend in perpendicular relation from the opposite ends of the guiding plate 40 toward the side member 20, it being noted that the rear wing extends downwardly below the lower edge 42 of the guiding plate whereas the front wing terminates along the upper edge of the notch 44, all as best seen in Fig. 2. A substantially horizontal gusset plate 55 rigidly interconnects the upper edges of the guiding plate and the front wing, and a bridging member 56 rigidly interconnects the upper and lower portions of the guiding plate to impart rigidity thereto.

With attention being directed to Fig. 1, an elongated presser mounting shaft 60 provides opposite ends 61 mounted in tracks, not shown, in the auxiliary frame portions 18 for slidable movement longitudinally of and above the

slides

29, 30 and 31. A carriage 62 is longitudinally slidably mounted on the shaft, and a U-shaped box presser 63 is pivoted for horizontal swinging movement on the carriage. The presser includes a pair of spaced parallel presser arms 64 extended toward the guiding plate 40.

Tension springs 73 interconnect the frame 15 and the opposite ends 61 of the shaft 60 so that the shaft and the presser 63 are yieldably urged toward the guiding plate 40. A supply of boxes 80 is positioned on the

slides

29, 30 and 31 in upstanding position between the guiding plate 40 and the presser arms 64. The boxes are in folded condition and the yieldably inwardly urged shaft 60 applies pressure to the supply of boxes tending to urge the innermost box fiat against the guiding plate.

For purposes of abtaining a fuller understanding of the present invention, one of the boxes 80 is shown in open condition in Fig. 11 and is presently briefly described. The box includes oppositely disposed side walls 81 and 81' and end

walls

82 and 82 interconnected along fold lines defining forward

corners

83 and 84 and

rearward corners

85 and 86. It is to be noted that the designation of the corners as being forward and rearward is only for descriptive convenience in connection with the operational positions in the subject machine, as will be evident. Each box also provides upper and lower end and side flaps 88 and 89, respectively, connected to the end and side walls along fold lines but not connected to each other. For purposes of loading into the present machine, the boxes are folded along the forward and rearward diagonally related

corner fold lines

83 and 85 so as to bring what is hereinafter referred to as the first end and

side walls

82 and 81 into contact with the second end and side walls 82' and 81, respectively. Likewise, the associated end and side flaps are brought into contact. It is to be observed that when the box is folded in this manner, and positioned as described on the

slides

29, 30 and 31 and against the guiding plate 40, the first end wall is disposed forwardly of the first side wall. Conversely, the second side wall is disposed forwardly of the second end wall. Otherwise stated, the corner 83 is disposed forwardly of the corner 85 with the forward unfolded corner 84 therebetween and against the plate 40.

As will be seen in Fig. 11, the end walls 82 with their end flaps 88 constitute'end panels of the box and the side walls 81 with their side flaps 89 constitute side panels, which panels are successively interconnected in box or carton defining relation and are marginally slotted at their junctures. As evident in Figs. 4 through 7, when folded and pushed along the passage from right to left, they each provide a first end wall folded flatly against a first side wall continuous therewith, a second side wall continuous with the first end wall flatly overlapping the first side wall, and a second end wall continous with the first side wall folded flatly against the second side wall.

Returning now to a description of the subject machine and referring to Figs. 1 and 2, in particular, pairs of vertically spaced bearings 95 are mounted on the front and

rear wings

52 and 53, and front and

rear shafts

96 and 97 are journalled in the bearings in substantially vertical positions. Front and rear sprockets 98 are respectively connected to the lower end of the front shaft and to the upper end of the rear shaft in substantially horizontal positions coplanar with each other and with the plane of the slot 43 in the guiding plate 40, as best illustrated in Fig. 2. An elongated endless box feeding chain 99 is extended around the sprockets, and a pair of box feeding dogs 100 having outwardly disposed L- shaped pockets 101 are secured to the chain for movement therewith in a circuitous path through the slot from the rearward end 47 of the frame 15 toward the forward end 46 thereof, and return. During such movement, the pockets of the dogs open forwardly relative to the direction of movement of the dogs. Considering Fig. 1, the dogs divided the chain into two substantially equal lengths. The dogs are positioned so that the rearwardly disposed corner 85 of the innermost box 80 in the supply of boxes fits into the pocket of the dog as it moves forwardly through the slot, as illustrated in dashed lines in Fig. 1. In this manner the dogs successively engage the boxes in the supply thereof and slide them one by one longitudinally along the guiding plate. A driven sprocket 103 is secured to the lower end of the rear shaft 97, and a drive chain 104 extends around the driven sprocket and a drive sprocket, not shown, connected to an engine, or the like, for supplying motivating power to the feeding chain.

An upstanding mounting member is secured to the gusset plate 55, as best seen in Fig. 3. A hold-down bar 111, disposed in a substantially horizontal position vertically spaced above and slightly outwardly extended from the upper edge 41 of the guiding plate 40, is elevationally adjustably borne by the mounting member by means of a mounting flange 112 connected to the mounting member. The flange has a vertically disposed slot 113, a bolt 114 is extended through the slot and the mounting member, and nut 115 is releasably tightened onto the bolt. The hold-down bar is elevationally adjustable so as to be in contact or closely adjacent spaced relation to the upper edges of the

upper flaps

88 and 89 of the boxes during their longitudinal slidable movement along the guiding plate 40 by the feeding dogs 100. The hold-down bar thus prevents the folded boxes 80 from moving upwardly out of predetermined positions, as best seen in Fig. 2.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, upper rail mounting brackets provide horizontal flanges 121 in spaced parallel relation and transversely adjustably connected to the main portion 17 of the forwardly disposed side member 16. Specifically, spacer blocks 122 are interposed the horizontal flanges 121 and 21, elongated slots 123 are provided in the horizontal flanges 121, and bolts 124 are extended downw dly h gh he slo and c e -a raded i the spacer blocks. Washers 125 ,encircle the bolts between their heads and the horizontal-flanges of the mounting brackets. The mounting brackets also have inner upwardly disposed vertical flanges 127 in a substantially common plane parallel to the guiding plate-40.

With reference both to Figs. 1 and 3, in particular, an elongated upper box guiding and flapengaging rail 130 is rigidly secured to the vertical flanges .127 of the mounting brackets 120 and has a rearward end edge 131 sub stantially perpendicular to the guiding plate 40 and in a vertical plane substantially coplanar with the vertical flange of the slide 29. Otherwise stated, the rearward end edge of the upper railis adapted for engagement or closely adjacent spacedrelation to the forwardlydisposed corners 83 of the boxes 80 in thesupply of boxes. The upper rail also has a longitudinally extended inner side edge 133 disposed in a vertical plane in spaced parallel relation to the guiding plate. The spacing between the inner edge of the rail and the guiding plate is, of course, adjustable by means of the mounting "brackets 120 and is adjusted to substantially the same Width as the thickness of the boxes 80 in folded condition. Thus, it will be evident that the rearwardly extendedend of the upper rail is in forwardly overlapping-relation with the guiding plate.

As seen in Figs. 2 and 3, a substantially horizontal main open box supporting panel 140 is rigidly mounted in substantially horizontal position in the frame forwardly of the guiding plate ,40 and in substantially the same horizontalplane as the slides-29, =and 31. The panel has a rearwardly disposed downturned edge 141 in relatively closely adjacent spaced relation to the slide 29 and a pair of longitudinally extended side edges 142 inwardly spaced from the vertical flanges 22 of the

frame members

16 and 20. The support panel is mounted in the frame on legs 143.

A lower main box guiding and flap engaging rail 150 is mounted in vertically spaced substantially parallel relation below the upper rail 130 and above-the panel 140 by means of a post 151, forming -a part of the support frame 15. The lower main rail has a longitudinally extended inner side edge 152 in the same vertical plane as the side edge 133. Further, an auxiliary lower box guiding rail 154 is mounted in the frame on a post 151 in transversely spaced substantially parallel relation to the main lower rail and provides a longitudinally extended inner edge 155 parallel to the edge 152. An elongated transversely extended rail adjusting screw 156, seen in Fig. 2, screw-threadably interconnects the posts for transversely adjusting the spacing between the mainand auxiliary lower rails. It is to be observed at this point that the spacing between the lowerrails is adjustedto conform to the width, that is the distance between theside --walls 81 and'sl, of a box 80 in open condition, as illustrated in single dashed lines in Fig. 1.

Further, from the description thus far, it will be evident that an elongated longitudinally extended box passageway 160 is defined between the upper and lower rails .130 and 150, and the guiding plate 40 and the lower auxiliary rail 154 as opposite sides and with the supporting panel 140 as a bottom. This passageway has a narrow inlet 161 between the rearwardly extended end of the upper rail and theguiding plate adaptedslidably to receive a single one of the boxes 80 in folded condition vvand a wider outlet 162 between the upper and lower rails -andoverlaying the upper rail 130 in forwardly spaced 1318110 11 to the inlet 161 of thepassageway 160 and thus adjacent to said outlet 162. A bolt 173 is extended downwardly through the slot and screw-threaded into therail ,for enablinglongitudinal adjustment of the mounting bracket .on therail. An inner vertical flange 175px,-v tends upwardly," and an outer vertical flange 17.6 o I laps the inner vertical flange and includes a vertically ,disposed slot 177 receiving horizontal bolts 178 screwthreaded into the inner flange. Washers 179 are interposed the heads of the bolts 17 8 and the outer vertical flange 176. An upper horizontal flange 180 including a slot 181 extends inwardly over the passageway 160. i

An elongated vertically disposed spindle 19 0 is downwa d y ex d t r u h t s 1 nd P QY F Q an upper head 191. A nut 192 is screw-threaded on the lower end of the spindle and washers 193 are provided respectively between the head and the horizontal flange 180 and against the nut. An elongated sleeve 194 is positioned between the horizontal flange 180 and the lower washer 193 in circumscribing relation to the spindle. The sleeveis secured to the-horizontal-flange so as to be rigidtherewith. Further, ahorizontal limit stud195 is rigidly radially rearwardly extended from the sleeve adjacent to its lower'end.

A triangular-shaped upper box entering wedge 200 is rigidly borne by the spindle at its lower end between the lower washer 1 93 and the sleeve 194. With particular reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the wedge has a forward convex edge 201, a substantially straight inner edge 202, a concave edge 203, a rearwardly disposed apex 204 and a forwardly disposed outer guide corner 205. Outer and

inner stops

206 and 207 are upwardly extended adjacent to the forward edge 201 on opposite'sides of the stud 195, as seen in'Fig. 3,' for engagement therewith so asto limit pivotal movement of the wedge and the spindle 190 relative to the sleeve 194. -A torsion spring 209 coiled around the spindle and interconnecting "the spindle and the sleeve urges the inner stop 207 into engagement with the stud and thus urges the wedge --t o rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig.1. *The upper wedge is positioned in the outlet 162 of the pairsageway 160 in forwardly spaced relation to the inlet 161. In what may be termed a normally inoperative position, the forward outer corner 205 of the wedge is substantially aligned with the inlet, or expressed differently, is substantially transversely extended relative to a vertical-plane passing through the inlet, as visualized in Fig. 1. When in operative position, in a manner to be described, the wedge is rotated in acounterclockwise direction by a box 80 so as to move the apex 204 toward substantial alignment with the inlet and in asubstantially vertical plane with the forward corner 205, which plane is disposed longitudinally in the passageway and is slightly offset from the guiding plate 40, as seen in Fig. 1. In said operative position, the outer stop 206 engages :the stud to limit counterclockwise rotation of the wedge.

Referring to Fig. 9, the main panel 140 provides an opening 215 relatively adjacent to the main portion 17 of the L-shaped member 16, and a horizontal auxiliary underpanel 216 is secured to the supporting-panel in covering relation to the opening. An elongated mounting member 217 of thickness equal to the main supporting panel is mounted on the auxiliary panel for adjustable movement longitudinally of itself within the opening and having an upper surface substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the supporting panel. The mounting member has a slot 218 through which is extended a bolt 219 for enabling said transverse adjustment and for securing the mounting member in selected positions.

A lower box entering wedge 225, viewedin -Figs. 4 through 7, is of substantially the same construction as the upper wedge 200 and thus has similar portions bearing the same numbers as the upper wedge. The lower Wedge, however, is mounted for pivotal movement on a vertically disposed stud 226 connected-to the mounting member 217 in coaxial relation to the spindle 190. Fur ther, the upper and lower wedges are oriented so that similar parts are in precise vertical alignment. A- shoul ,der 227' is provided on the mounting member under the games lower wedge, and a stop 229 is rigidly downwardly extended from the wedge for engagement with the stop. As with the upper wedge, a spring 230 interconnects the wedge and the mounting member for yieldably urging the wedge in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 10, for example, to bring the stop 229 into engagement with the shoulder 227. The lower wedge is moved by a box 80 in a similar manner and has positions similar to the upper wedge.

As best seen in Figs. 3 through 7, a box impeding lever 235 is mounted intermediate its ends on a mounting bracket 236 secured to the lower main rail 150 by means of a vertical pivot pin 237 for horizontal pivotal movement between a position with its inner end 238 extended inwardly of the passageway 160 in forwardly spaced relation to the

wedges

200 and 225 and a retracted position outwardly of the passageway. The lever has an outer end 239, and an elongated tension spring 240 interconnects the mounting bracket 236 and the lever at said outer end for yieldably urging the lever into its extended position and into engagement with a cushioned limit block 242 secured to the lower main rail. The lever has an angulated inner inwardly disposed pocket 244 facing rearwardly when the lever is in its extended position in the passageway. As will become apparent the lever and spring constitute a resiliently retractable stop for boxes pushed along the passage.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, spaced parallel shafts 248, only one of which is illustrated, are journaled in the support frame 15 in substantially horizontal positions extended transversely of the passageway 160 but beneath the supporting panel 140. Sprockets 249 are rigidly secured to the shafts on opposite sides of the panel for rotation with the shaft. Horizontal upwardly disposed angle bars 250 are secured underneath and to the horizontal flanges 21 of the

side frame members

16 and 20 adjacent to the forward end 46 of the frame 15 and generally on opposite sides of the supporting panel. A pair of elongated endless chains 251 are individually slidably positioned on the angle bars and extended around the sprockets 248 for movement longitudinally of the side frame members in circuitous paths. Elongated box pushing rods 252 rigidly interconnect the chains by means of webs 253 in transverse relation to the

lower rails

150 and 154. The rods are mounted on the chains for movement longitudinally of the outlet 162 of the passageway 160 between the upper rail 130 and the lower rails in relatively closely adjacent spaced relation to the lower rails, as best seen in Fig. 3. The rods move in this manner within the passageway from a position at the rear ward end of the passageway to a position forwardly thereof and return underneath the panel.

With particular reference to Fig. 1, an arcuate spring finger 260 of resiliently flexible material provides a rear mounting end 261 rigidly secured to the front wing 52 and a forward box engaging end 262 extended forwardly into the outlet 162 of the box passageway 160 and generally centrally thereof. 'The forward end of the finger has a rearward offset portion 263.

Operation The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention is explained at this point. The machine is initially loaded with a quantity of boxes 8%) placed between the presser 63 and the guiding plate 40, as described. The machine is then adjusted in accordance with the size of box being opened to provide the desired width of the inlet and

outlet

161 and 162 of the passageway 160. Further, the hold-down bar 111 is adjusted to correspond to the overall height of the unfolded boxes, and the upper wedge 200 is vertically adjusted on the mounting bracket 170 so as to be spaced upwardly from the upper rail 130 and in closely adjacent relation to the upper edge of the

upper flaps

88 and 89 of the boxes, as best seen in Fig. 8. In this connection it is to be understood that the upper and

lower wedges

200 and 225 are respectively positioned above and below the upper and lower

main rails

130 and 150 and are actually spaced apart by an amount less the overall height of the incoming folded boxes. The rails, on the other hand, are preferably spaced apart by an amount slightly in excess of the height of the end and

side walls

81, 81' and 82, 82' of the boxes, all for a purpose to be described.

The box feeding chain 99 and the pusher rod chains 251 are then motivated to travel in their circuitous paths. When one of the feeding dogs 100 reaches the proper position longitudinally in the slot 43, it engages the rearwardly disposed corner of the box 80 against the plate 40 and slides it longitudinally of the plate into the inlet 161 of the passageway 160. The dog engages only one folded box and the inlet receives only one such box. This box is initially slid forwardly into the outlet 162 of the passageway, as best illustrated in Fig. 5, and brought into engagement with the forward corners 205 of the upper and

lower wedges

200 and 225. Continued movement of the dog causes the forward corner 83 of the folded box to rotate the upper and lower wedges against the action of the

springs

209 and 230 in a counterclockwise direction by engagement of said forward corner of the box with the outer corners 205 of the wedges. Thus the box is moved into a position between the upper and lower

main rails

130 and 150 and the upper and lower wedges, as seen in Figs. 6 and 8. The forward corners 205 and the apices 204 of the wedges engage the first forwardly disposed end flaps 88 of the box, as seen in Figs. 6 and 8, and in cooperation with the rails, which engage the forwardly disposed upper and lower second side flaps 89 below and above the wedges, respectively, bend said forwardly disposed upper and lower flaps outwardly of the passageway with respect to the end and side walls, 82, 82' and 81, 81'. In this regard, it is to be noted that the box pivots the wedges so that their respective forward corners and rear apices are in a vertical plane closer to the vertical plane of the

inner edges

133 and 152 of the upper and lower rails than the guiding plate 40. It is for this reason that the upper and lower flaps are bent outwardly as described.

As the box 80 is moved forwardly by the dog 100, the

wedges

200 and 225 eventually slide into the box between the first end and side flaps 88 and 89 into contact with the second side flaps 89, as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7. Further, the inwardly disposed forward corners of the wedges engage the first side flaps 89 thereby initiating opening of the box. At the same time as the wedges enter the box, the dog has moved the box forwardly so that the forward corner 83 is fitted into the rearwardly disposed pocket 244 of the box impeding lever 245, as seen in Figs. 4 and 7. The tension on the spring 240 is suflicient to hold the lever in substantially its original position extended into the passageway 160 against the forward urging of the feeding dog so as temporarily to impede further forward movement of said forward corner 83.

However, the box feeding dog 100 continues its circuitous travel and moves around the forward sprocket 98 in a path substantially transversely of the outlet 162 of the passageway 160. The dog, still in engagement with the rearwardly disposed corner 85 of the box 80, moves this rearward corner forwardly and laterally relative to the forward corner 83 and the second, or now outer, side wall 81' into a partially open position, as viewed in double dashed lines in Fig. 1. During this latter movement of the dog, the second outer side wall 81 is held against the upper and lower main rails and not only by the impeding lever 235 but also by continuing engagement of the upper and

lower wedges

200 and 225 with the second side wall 81'. To prevent the box from moving back into folded condition after the feeding dog 100 moves out of engagement with said rearward corners 85, as visualized in Fig. 1, the spring finger 260 is provided. The forward end 262 of this finger is disposed so as to engage the-'rearward-corner 85- andtozprevent its :movement. rearwardly laterally toward the: mainzrailtoncea said rearward corner has been moved forwardly past-.theaforward end of the spring finger.

Immediately after the dog 100 .disengages'a box 80. in partially open condition, as viewed in:Fig..1, a -pnshing rod 252 moves upwardly into the outlet 162 ofnthepassageway 160 and into engagement with. said "rearward corner 85. As the pushing rod is traveled forwardlyin the passageway inengagement with a box, it willfbe evident that it continues to pivot or'hinge the endwalls .82 and 82 of the box around the fold lines; 83 and 8.6.until the box is in a substantially rectangular open condition, as also seen in single dashed lines in Fig. 1. At thistimethe pushing rod is brought into full engagement withfthe'secnd and now rearwardly disposed end wall 82' andr pushes the box forwardly in the outlet'of the passageway. "The pressure against the box by the rod 'is -suificient'to -overcome the tension of the spring-240'whereby the impeding lever 235 is moved into retracted'pos'ition to allow the opened box to travel forwardly in the outlet of the pas sageway to a succeeding stage of operation with which the present invention is not concerned. The side flaps slide out from under and past the

Wedges

200 and 225 as will be evident. It is to be observed that the opposite sidewalls of the box are slid longitudinally in the passageway against the lower rails 150 and'154 which, together with the pushing rod-252, maintain the box in its opened condition.

Of course, as the opened box 80 is being removed from the outlet'162, the other dog 100' is being moved into engagement with a successive box which will-'be carried through the same steps as the first-box, as described above. In this manner the machine continuously opens the folded boxes as long as a supply of such'folded'boxes is 'delivered to the machine.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a=machine has been provided for openinga box of foldable'sheet material from flat folded condition'into substantially rectangular open condition in a highly'satisfaotory manner. The machine is adapted to open boxes continuously, to handle the boxes gently so as not'to damage them, and to minimize need for attention and adjustment. Not only does the machine conserve time and'labor but it is considerably less expensive to operate than machines of the prior art provided for similar purposes.

While the carton opening machine has been 'shown'and described as feeding the boxes 80' along a horizontal path and moving said boxes horizontally during the opening operations, it will be clearly evident that the invention may be embodied in a machine operated in any other desired attitude or position. For example, the machine may be turned on its side, as compared with the position'shown, so as to feed the collapsed boxes downwardly or upwardly and thence horizontally during opening operations. Other embodiments will readily occur to those'skilled in the art, as for example, such as to have a horizontal path of travel for the boxes as they are fed in collapsed condition and an upwardly o-r downwardly directed path during opening operations.

Although the invention has been herein shown and 'de-' scribed in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for opening a box of foldable sheet :material having opposite side and end walls interconnected in rectangular reltion along-fold lines defining corners of the, boxtand. havingsupper:andlowersid aud 10 endfiaps;respectivelytconnected: tothe side andsendwalls but notcconnected to each other, the boxebeing,- i n 1t1a l ly in-fiat condition folded alongthe fold lines'of diagonally related. corners but being unfoldable: into opemsubstantialilywrectangular condition; a support frame; .means mountedmn the frame defining an elongated substantially horizontallynextended box passageway having forward andyreanward end portions, a narrow vertically disposed inlet",of:.substantially the same width as a box infolded condition adapted to receive boxes slidably therein -with such diagonally related corners disposed forwardlyand rearwaridly Lin the passageway, Y and a wider ,outlet com municatirrgiwith the inlet substantially equal in width -to: that-;of::.a box in open conditionand adapted slidably to: receiveesuch an open box therein, said passageway defining means'zincludinga pair of spacedivertically aligned substantially horizontal side rails extended longitudinally and z-alongsid'e of the passageway; spaced upper and lowersutbstantially' vertically aligned wedges supported by' the frame and extended into the outlet of the passageway substantially in the plane of the inlet and respectively'aboveand 'belowthe-rails, the wedges being spaced farther apart than the height of the side and end-walls of the box; a box impedingmember supported by the frame.:for'mo vementbetween a position extendedyinto the passageway 'on' the opposite side of the wedges from the inlet'and a po'sitionretracted out of the passageway; .means connected to the impeding member yieldably urging it: intosaidextendedposition; box feeding means mounted in the frame for movement in a circuitous path longitudinally .of the passageway through the inlet into said "outlet, thence. a'predetermined distance longitudinally-and transversely of said outlet, .and return, said feeding means engaging the rearwardly disposed corner of a folded box -in"sa-id inlet and sliding. it into said outlet betweengthe rails and wedges whereby the wedges slide insideof the box between the end and side flaps and into engagement with the side wallwhich is against the rails,-.said feeding means sliding the T'forwardly disposedcorner of the box into engagement with said impeding member temporarily to impede forward'movement of said forwardly disposed cornea-said feeding means during its movement transversely of the passageway urging the rearwardly disposed corner toward the forwardly disposed corner of the box partially to unfold the box; and box pushing means mounted in the frame-for movement from a position rearwardly of point of maximum longitudinal; entry of the box feeding means into the outlet, longitudinally forward- "ly in the outlet o'f'the passageway for engaging the rearwardly disposed corner of the box in said partially un- "folded: condition and movingit toward said forwardly disposed corner fully to .open the box and thereafter sliding the open box forwardly in the outlet:- past the impeding member and-out of engagement with the wedges. 2. The machine of claim 1 wherein the wedges are of substantially triangular shape having rearwardlydisposed apices extended toward the inlet-of the passageway. and outer forward .cornersextended transversely in thepath of travel-of a folded box moved through said inlet and being engaged by the forwardly disposed corner of such a box for rotating the wedges whereby said apices and corners are disposed in a common plane spaced from the rails by an amountless'than the-thickness of a folded box,.=and means yieldably urging the wedges into positions with said corners disposed transversely in the path of :movement of a' folded box into the passageway.

3. In a machine foropening a box of foldable sheet material having opposite side and end walls interconnected in rectangular relation along fold lines defining corners and having upper and lower side and end'fiaps respectively conuectedto the side and end walls but not connected toeach other, the box being unfolde'ble a fiat condition lfolded alongthe fold lines of diagonally related corners .to providesubstantially, copl narlfir st side rand .end walls and: flapsand substantially. coplanar; see

nd side and end walls and flaps in opposed relation to said first walls and flaps to an open substantially rectangular unfolded condition; an elongated support frame having forward and rearward end portions; an elongated upstanding box guiding plate longitudinally mounted in the rear end portion of the frame having upper and lower edges and an elongated substantially horizontal slot therein intermediate said edges; vertically spaced substantially horizontal elongated main upper and lower flap engaging rails mounted in the forward end portion of the frame in laterally spaced substantially parallel oiiset relation to the plate, the upper rail having a rear end portion in closely adjacent opposed forwardly overlapping relation to the plate; an auxiliary substantially horizontal lower elongated box engaging rail in transversely spaced parallel relation to the main lower rail, the main and auxiliary rails and the guide plate defining an elongated box passageway having a narrow rear box feeding inlet between said end portion of the upper rail and the guide plate and a relatively wide forward outlet between the main and auxiliary rails; means mounted in the frame for yieldably urging a folded box against the guiding plate with said first end and side walls and flaps against the plate; spaced upper and lower substantially vertically aligned wedges supported by the frame and extended into the outlet of the passageway substantially in the plane of the inlet; a box impeding lever supported by the frame for horizontal pivotal movement between a position extended into the passageway in forwardly spaced relation to the wedges and a position retracted out of the passageway; means connected to the lever yieldably urging it into said extended position; an endless box feeding chain; means mounting the chain for circuitous travel in a substantially horizontal plane coincident with the slot in the plate; a box feeding dog secured to the chain for movement therewith through the slot for engagement with the rearwardly disposed corner of such folded box to slide the box through said inlet and between the wedges and the main rails so that the wedges initially engage and bend said first end flaps outwardly of the passageway so that the wedges slide under said first side flaps into engagement with said second side flaps upon continued movement of the dog, further travel of the dog sliding the box forwardly in the outlet of the passageway until the forwardly disposed corner of the box strikes the lever whereby forward movement of the box is temporarily impeded, still further travel of the dog moving the end walls and said first side wall outwardly away from said second side wall and toward the auxiliary rail thereby partially to open the box; an elongated pusher bar; and means mounting the bar in the frame transversely of the rails for movement in a circuitous path longitudinally forwardly through the outlet of the passageway between the upper and lower rails for engaging the rearwardly disposed corner and the second end wall of said partially open box further to unfold the box and to move the first side wall into engagement with the auxiliary 'rail whereby the box is fully opened, continued movement of the bar forcing the lever into retracted position to release the box for slidable movement forwardly of the wedges in the passageway, the bar returning rearwardly longitudinally outside of the passageway.

4. In a machine for opening a box of foldable sheet material having opposite side and end walls interconnected in rectangular relation along fold lines defining corners and having upper and lower side and end flaps respectively connected to the side and end walls but not connected to each other, the box being unfoldable from a fiat condition folded along the fold lines of diagonally related corners to provide substantially coplanar first side and end walls and flaps and substantially coplanar sec- -'ond side and end walls and flaps in opposed relation to said first walls and flaps to an open substantially rectangular unfolded condition; an elongated support frame having forward and rearward end portions; an elongated upstanding box guiding plate longitudinally mounted in the rear end portion of the frame having upper and lower edges and an elongated substantially horizontal slot therein intermediate said edges; vertically spaced substantially horizontal elongated main upper and lower fiap engaging rails mounted in the forward end portion of the frame in laterally spaced substantially parallel offset relation to the plate, the upper rail having a rear end portion in closely adjacent opposed forwardly overlapping relation to the plate; an auxiliary substantially horizontal lower elongated box engaging rail in transversely spaced parallel relation to the main lower rail, the main and auxiliary rails and the guide plate defining an elongated box passageway having a narrow rear box feeding inlet between said end portion of the upper rail and the guide plate and a relatively wide forward outlet between the main and auxiliary rails; a substantially horizontal box supporting panel mounted in the frame beneath the lower rails and the passageway; substantially horizontal slide means mounted in the frame adjacent to the lower edge of the guiding plate in substantially coplanar relation with the panel and adjacent to the inlet of the passageway for supporting a folded box in upstanding position laterally adjacent to the plate with said first end and side walls and flaps facing the plate; means mounted in the frame engageable with said second end and side walls and flaps of such box for yieldably urging it against the plate into alignment with said inlet; spaced upper and lower substantially vertically aligned wedges supported by the frame and extended into the outlet of the passageway substantially in the plane of the inlet; a box impeding lever supported by the frame for horizontal pivotal movement between a position extended into the passageway in forwardly spaced relation to the wedges and a position retracted out of the passageway; means connected to the lever yieldably urging it into said extended position; an endless box feeding chain; means mounting the chain for circuitous travel in a substantially horizontal planecoincident with the slot in the plate; a box feeding dog secured to the chain for movement therewith through the slot for engagement with the rearwardly disposed corner of such folded box to slide the box through said inlet and between the wedges and the main rails so that the wedges initially engage and bend said first end flaps outwardly of the passageway so that the wedges slide under said first side flaps into engagement with said second side flaps upon continued movement of the dog, further travel of the dog sliding the box forwardly in the outlet of the passageway until the forwardly disposed corner of the box strikes the lever whereby forward movement of the box is temporarily impeded, still further travel of the dog moving the end walls and said first side wall outwardly away from said second side wall and toward the auxiliary rail thereby partially to open the box; an elongated pusher bar; and means mounting the bar in the frame transversely of the rails for movement in a circuitous path longitudinally forwardly through the outlet of the passageway between the upper and lower rails for engaging the rearwardly disposed corner and the second end wall of said partially open box further to unfold the box and to move the first side wall into engagement with the auxiliary rail whereby the box is fully opened, continued movement of the bar forcing the lever into retracted position to release the box for slidable movement forwardly of the wedges in the passageway, the bar returning rearwardly longitudinally outside of the passageway.

5. In a machine for opening a box of foldable sheet material having opposite side and end walls interconnected in rectangular relation along fold lines defining corners and having upper and lower side and end flaps rmpectively connected to the side and end walls but not connected to each other, the box being unfoldable from a flat condition folded along the fold lines of diagonally related corners to provide substantially coplanar first side QEGQQQG andend'walla and tlapsand substantiallycoplanar second side'andend walls and flaps in opposed relation to'said first walls and flaps to an open substantially rectangular unfolded condition; an elongated supportframe having forward and rearward end portions; an elongated upstanding box guiding plate longitudinally mounted in the rear end portion of the frame having upper and lower edges and an elongated substantially horizontal slot therein intermediate said edges; vertically spaced substantially horizontal elongated main upper and lower flap engaging rails mountedin the forward end portion of the frame in laterally spaced substantially parallel offset relation to the plate, the upper rail having a rear end portion in closely adjacent opposed forwardly overlapping relation to the plate; an auxiliary substantially horizontal lower elongated box engaging rail in transversely spaced parallel relation to the main lower railythe main and auxiliary rails and the, guide plate defining an elongated box passageway having a narrow rear box feeding inlet between said end portion of the upper rail and the guide plate and a relatively wide forward outlet between the main and auxiliary rails; means mounted in the frame for yieldably urginga folded box against the guiding plate with said first end and sidewalls and flaps against the plate; spaced upper-and lower substantially vertically aligned wedges supported by the frame and extended into the outlet of the passageway substantially in the plane of the inlet; a box impeding lever supported by the frame for horizontal pivotallmovement between a-position extended into the passageway in forwardly spaced relation to the wedges and a position retracted out of the passageway; means connected to the lever yieldably urging it into saidextended position; feeding means mounted in the frame for circuitous. travel in a substantially horizontal plane coincident with the slot in the plate and extended through .theslot forengagement with the rearwardly disposed corner of such folded box to slide the box through said inlet and between the wedges and the main rails so that the wedges initially engage and bend said first end flaps outwardly of the passageway so that the wedges slide under said first side flaps into engagement with said second side fiaps nponicontinued movement of said'feed- .ing means, further travel of said feeding means sliding the box forwardly in the outlet of the passageway until the forwardly disposed corner of the box strikes the lever whereby forward movement of the boX is temporarily impeded, still further travel of said feeding means .moving the end walls and said first side wall outwardly away from said second side wall and toward the auxiliary {rail thereby partially to open the box; and box pushing means mounted in the frame transversely of the rails for movement in a circuitous path longitudinally forwardly through the outlet of the passageway between the upper and lower railsfor engaging the rearwardly disposed corner and the second end wall of said partially open box .further to unfold the box and to move the first side wall .into engagement with the auxiliary rail whereby the box is fully opened, continued movement of said pushing means forcing the lever into retracted position to release .the box for slidable movement forwardly of the wedges in the passageway, said pushing means returning rearwardly longitudinally outside of the passageway.

6. In a machine for opening a box of foldable sheet material having opposite side and end walls interconnected in rectangular relation along fold lines defining.

corners and having upper and lower side and end flaps respectively connected to the side and end walls but not connected to each other, the box being unfoldable from a flat condition folded along the fold lines of diagonally related corners to provide substantially coplanar first side .14 box guiding; plate "mounted in the 1 rear end portion to the frame having'an elongated longitudinally *ex-tended slot therein; elongated transversely spaced mainQflapengaging rails mounted in the forward endxportiomofuthe frame and ma plane in substantiallypartllel .ofise'trela tion to the plate, one of the rails having a rear endxportion in closely adjacent opposed forwardly. overlapping relation to the plate; an elongated'auxiliary box engaging rail in transversely spaced parallel relation to the main rails and opposite thereto, the main andtauxiliary: rails and the guide plate defining an elongatedxbox passageway having a narrow rear box feeding inletbetw'ee'n.said end portion of the upper rail and the guide plateand; a relatively wide forward outlet between the mainland auxiliary rails; means mounted in the frame'for yiel'da-bly urging a folded box against the guiding plate with:;said first end and side walls and flaps against the plate;itransversely aligned wedges supported bysthe frameand extended into the outlet of the passageway substantially :in the plane of the inlet and withithe rails therebetweenya box impeding lever supported by the frameiforpivotal movement between a position extended into the passageway in forwardly spaced relationto the wedges anda position retracted out of the passageway; means con nected to the lever-yieldably urging it into saidsextende'd position; feeding means mounted-in the frame forcircuitous travel in a plane coincident with the slot inithe plate and extended through the slot for engagementwith the rearwardly disposed corner of'such folded SbOXrIO slide the box through said inlet and between the-wedges and the main rails so that the wedges initially :engageand bend said first en'dfla-ps outwardly of the passageway and so that the wedges slide under said 'first side flaps into engagement with said second vside'lfiaps .upon'continued movement of said feedingmeans, furthertravelofcsaid feeding means sliding the box forwardly in the outlet or the passageway until the forwardly disposed corner of the box strikes the lever whereby. forwardmovement of the box is temporarily impeded, .still furthentravelzof saidfeeding means moving the end wa'llst-andksaidrfirst side wall outwardly away from said second side wall and toward the auxiliary rail thereby partially toopemthe box; and box pushing meansv mounted in'theframetransversely of the'rails-for movement in a circuitous'path longitudinally forwardly through the outlet of thezpassageway between the main rails for engaging therearwardly disposed corner and the secondendwall ofsaidpartially open box further to unfold the box and tozmove the-first side wall into engagement with the auxiliary rail whereby the box is fully opened, continued movement of said pushing means forcing the. lever into retracted.positionlto ;release the box for slidable movement forwardly of the wedges in the passageway, said pushing means returning rearwardly longitudinally outside of the passageway.

7. In a machine for opening a box offoldable:..$heet material having opposite side and end walls interconnected in rectangular'relation along fold lines defining corners of the box, the box being openable from afiat condition folded along the fold lines of diagonally related corners to an unfolded substantially rectangular open condition; a support; and an'elongated guide member rigidly mounted in the support and providing a longiturear corner of a folded box positionedagainst the plate and to slide the box between the plate and the guiding member into'a predetermined holding position against the guiding member, the dog being thence movable transversely away from the member along the periphery of the sprocket, and return to the slot; means mounted on the guiding member engageable with the side wall of the folded box which is in direct contact with the member in said holding position to limit forward travel of the box and to prevent movement of said engaged side wall outwardly of the member whereby movement of the dog transversely away from the guiding member partially opens the box.

8. In a machine for opening a box of foldable sheet material having opposite side and end walls interconnected in rectangular relation along fold lines defining corners of the box, the box being openable from a flat condition folded along the fold lines of diagonally related corners to an unfolded substantially rectangular open condition; a support; elongated guide means mounted in the support and providing a support surface in a predetermined plane, said guide means providing forward and rearward end portions; means mounted in the support for holding one side wall of a fiat folded box against said support surface and thereby preventing movement of said one side wall relative to the guide means, but with the other side wall and the end walls being free to pivot relatively forwardly into unfolded condition, and whereby the free walls provide a front corner and a rear corner; the combination of a box engaging dog; means mounting the dog in the support for movement about a predetermined axis in a circuitous path initially longitudinally of and in opposed substantially parallel relation to said surface in a forward direction for engagement with the rear corner of such a box held against said surface and thence transversely forwardly away from said surface to move said rear corner in a forwardly arcuate path partially to unfold said box, thence rearwardly out of box engagement, and return; a box pusher; and means mounting the pusher in the support for movement from a position rearwardly of that part of the path of the dog where the dog moves transversely forwardly away from said surface, and thence longitudinally forwardly of and in opposed substantially parallel relation to said surface for engaging said rear corner of the partially unfolded box to move said free walls into completely unfolded condition.

9. The machine of claim 8 including powered drive means having driving connection to both the dog mounting means and the pusher mounting means for respectively motivating the dog and the pusher in their respective paths of travel and in timed relation so that the pusher engages the rear corner of the partially unfolded box immediately subsequent to disengagement of said rear corner by the dog.

10. In a machine for opening a box of foldable sheet material having opposite side and end walls interconnected in rectangular relation along fold lines defining corners of the box and having upper and lower side and end flaps respectively connected to the side and end walls but not connected to each other, the box being openable from a fiat condition folded along fold lines of diagonally related corners to an unfolded substantially rectangular open condition; a support; elongated upper and lower guide rails rigidly mounted in the support in vertically spaced relation to each other and having elongated, longitudinally extended edges lying in a common vertical plane, said rails having predetermined opposite front and rear end portions; a guide plate rigidly mounted in the frame having a side in spaced substantially parallel relation to the plane of said edges with the plate partially overlapping the rear end portion of one of the rails; means borne by the support for sliding a folded box between the plate and the rails along a path extended longitudinally of the rails and into a predetermined unfolding position with one side wall in juxtaposition to said edges of the rails, said diagonally related corners being disposed forwardly and rearwardly relative to each other along the rail; upper and lower wedges individually mounted on the support above and below the upper and lower rails, respectively, for horizontal pivotal movement about a common vertical axis laterally spaced from said plane on the same side thereof as said plate and between positions extended transversely of said path of travel of a folded box for engagement by the forwardly disposed corner of such a box and positions retracted from said extended positions to permit sliding of the forwardly disposed corner of the box between the wedges and the rails, the wedges having rear wardly extended apices adapted to slide between the forwardly disposed end and side wall flaps and thereby to enter the box into contact with the side flaps connected to said one side wall; and means interconnecting the wedges and the support yieldably urging the wedges into said extended positions whereby said one side wall of the box is held against the rails while the other end and side walls are free to unfold outwardly from the rails.

11. The machine of claim 10 including box impeding means mounted in the support forwardly of the wedges for movement into and out of the path of travel of a folded box; means interconnecting said impeding means and support yieldably urging the impeding means into said path of travel; and a pusher mounted in the support for travel longitudinally forwardly of the rails in laterally spaced relation thereto for engagement with the rearwardly disposed corner of a folded box while said one side wall thereof is temporarily held in said box opening position by the Wedges and the impeding means thereby to unfold the free end and side walls laterally outwardly of the rails and to bring the walls of the box into open condition, said pusher thereafter egnaging the rearwardly disposed end wall of the open box and sliding the box forwardly past said impeding means and sliding said one wall outwardly from between the rails and the wedges.

12. In a machine for opening a box of foldable sheet material having opposite side and end walls interconnected in rectangular relation along fold lines defining corners of the box and having upper and lower side and end flaps respectively connected to the side and end walls but not connected to each other, the box being openable from a fiat condition folded along fold lines of diagonally related corners to an unfolded substantially rectangular open condition; a support; elongated guide means rigidly mounted in the support having upper and lower edges, an elongated, longitudinally extended guiding surface disposed in a substantially vertical plane, and predetermined opposite front and rear end portions; means borne by the support for sliding a folded box along a path extended longitudinally of the surface of the guiding member and into a predetermined unfolding position with one side Wall in juxtaposition to said guiding surface, said diagonally related corners being disposed forwardly and rearwardly relative to each other along said surface; upper and lower wedges individually mounted on the support above and below the guide means, respectively, for horizontal pivotal movement about a common vertical axis offset from and extended transversely of said surface, said wedges being pivoted between positions extended transversely of said path of travel of a folded box for engagement by the forwardly disposed corner of such a box and positions retracted from said extended positions to permit sliding of the forwardly disposed corner of the box between the wedges and the guide means, the wedges having rearwardly extended apices adapted to slide between the forwardly disposed end and side wall flaps and thereby to enter the box into contact with the side flaps connected to said one side wall; means interconnecting the wedges and the support yieldably urging the wedges into said extended positions whereby said one side wall of the box is held against the guide means while the other end and side walls are free to unfold outwardly from the rails; and a pusher mounted in the support on the same side of the guide means as said axis for movement longitudinally of the References Cited in the file of this patent guiding surface from a position rearwardly of the wedges to engage the rearwardly disposed corner of such 21 UNITED STATES PATENTS folded box to move said free walls outwardly from the 2.582393 Perilli Jan. 15, 1952 held wall to a position forwardly of the wedges to slide 5 2,750,855 Ferguson et June 19, 1956 a box opened by the pusher longitudinally of the guide means.