US3070801A

US3070801A - Flap lifter

Info

Publication number: US3070801A
Application number: US150989A
Authority: US
Inventors: Schafroth Werner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-11-08
Filing date: 1961-11-08
Publication date: 1963-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 1980-01-01

Description

Jan. l, 1963 W. SCHAFROTH FLAP LIFTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG? 3y M, MM/MM Jam. 1, 1963 w. scHAFRoTH 3,070,801

FLAP LIFTER Filed NOV. 8, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 finite tat 3,070,801 Patented `Ian. 1, 1953 This invention relates to a flap Ilifter for cartons or containers in general, and in particular, relates to a flap lifter adapted to be used in combination with a stapling `machine of the retractable anvil type.

Staples are commonly used for closing cartons or master shipping containers. The staples are often driven by stapling machines of the retractable anvil type wherein the anvil projects from the bottom edge of the stapling machine itself and penetrates the material to be sta-pled, so that the staple is clinched from the same side Ifrom which it is driven. Stapling machines of this type are shown in the Schafroth Patents No. 2,896,502 dated August 4, 1959, Design No. 183,948 dated November 18, 1958, Design No. 180,104 dated April 16, 1957, No. 2,778,022 dated January 22, 1957, No. 2,770,804 dated November 20, 1956, No. 2,764,758 dated October 2, 1956, and others.

Cartons which are to be stapled are frequently of the regular slotted type and are used to pack all sorts of items which may or may not lill the entire carton. At times it is necessary to make certain that the inner aps are in dat juxtaposed position with respect to the outer aps to which they are to be secured by staples. The present flap lifter is designed to be used to make certain that the inner flaps lie ilatwise against the inner surfaces of the outer flaps when the carton is being set up to receive goods, and also, when the carton is partially or fully loaded and the cover flaps are being stapled.

In the past, other devices have been used to lift the inner flaps of cartons, but these devices do not have the advantages of the present invention. Such prior devices either penetrated the wall portion of the carton to be stapled, or lifted the inner flap in an uncontrolled or possibly damaging manner and did not aid the stapling machine and were an obstacle to it in some positions.

One of the principle objects of the present invention is to provide a flap lifter which is also used as a `base and a positioner for a stapling machine. Another object is to provide a flap lifter with a predetermined angle to the flap lifting blade so as to pivot the inner ap upwardly into flat position underneath the outer flap, and to receive and provide a base -for the stapling machine, which is to drive and clinch the staples.

Another object is to provide a flap lifter which is relatively simple and cheap to make and which has predetermined angles to insure proper operation. Another object is to provide a flap lifter which forms a base for the stapling machine which is to drive the staples.

These and other lobjects and advantages will become apparent hereinafter.

The invention is embodied in a ap lifter comprising a base portion with an upwardly inclined forward portion having an opening therein for receiving a stapling 1nachine, said 4base portion having a blade secured thereto, said blade extending forwardly from the base portion and having an upper edge substantially parallel to said base portion and positioned below the plane of the lower surface thereof.

The invention also consists in the parts and in the arrangement and combination of parts herein described and claimed. In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification and wherein in like numerals refer to like parts wherever they occur:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a flap lifter embodying the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a bottom view thereof,

FIG. 3 is a front end yView thereof looking toward the blade,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view of the forward portion thereof,

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section,

'showing the inclined flanges positioned atly on the outer Hap of a carton with the blade receiving the inner edge of the downturned inner flap,

FIG. 6 is a View similar to FIG. 5, but after the base portion has been pivoted downwardly to raise the blade and the inner flap,

FIG. 7 is a perspective View showing the flap lifter Vpositioned with its blade between the central longitudinal 7slot between the side cover aps of the carton and with a stapling machine thereon, and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7 with the stapling machine shown after it has been moved forwardly or leftwardly on the base portion through the cut out portion.

Referring now to the drawings, in detail, it will be seen that the flap lifter 1, or the embodiments of the invention which has been illustrated, comprises a base portion 2 with a blade 3 thereon. The iiap lifter 1 is made preferably from steel or any other suitable metal or hard material.

The base 2 is substantially rectangular and has a forward portion 4 with upturned flanges or tongues 5 with an opening or cut out portion 6 therebetween. The base 2 has a dat upper 'surface 7 and a flat lower surface S. The upturned flanges 5 are positioned preferably at an iacute angle A, preferably of about 30 to the plane of the flap lifter 1 may be provided with a hole 12 or other 'suitable hanging means if desired.

The blade 3 is secured to the lower surface 8 of the base 2 at a point slightly rearwardly of the forward edge 11 of said base 2. The blade 3 has a `securing portion "13 which is welded or suitably secured in some manner Yto the base 2. The blade 3 has a forward wall 14 perpendicular to the base 2 and at a predetermined distance rearwardly of the forward edges 9 of the flanges S, and a straight upper edge 15 which terminates in a curved forward edge 16. The upper edge 1S of the blade 3 is substantially parallel to the lower surface 8 of the base 2, but can lbe at a slightly -downward angle if desired. The blade 3 is positioned preferably midway between the inner edges 10 of the upturned flanges 5. The forward portion 4 ofthe base 2, the forward wall 14 and the upper edge 15 -of the blade 3 form a pocket `17 into which the inner flap of a carton may extend.

The flap lifter 1 is made preferably from steel. It has been found that a base 2 of approximately 41/2 by 6 inches with a blade 3 extending about 2 inches forwardly from the edge 11 of the ybase 2 gives satisfactory results for Imost kinds and sizes of cartons.

`In operation, the flap lifter 1 may be used to set up and staple the bottom of a carton 18 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. It may also be used to properly position and staple the inner and outer cover flaps of a partially or fully loaded carton.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be seen that the flap lifter 1 is used by inserting the blade 3 in the longitudinal central slot 19 between the side flaps 20 and moving the l'blade 3 into the carton at an angle of 30 or more to the and moved upwardly into flat contacting relation with the outer side cover flaps 20. This is accomplished by moving the flap lifter 1 leftwardly so that the inner edge 22 of the inner end flap 21 rides up on the upper edge of the blade 3 until it approaches or contacts the forward wall 14 thereof, or it can be accomplished by simply pivoting the base portion 2 downwardly thereby rotating the blade 3 upwardly so that the upper edge 15 is substantially horizontal.

In practice, the operator moves the flap lifter 1 so rapidly and in such a manner that the inner aps 2l are usually raised by a combination of both the forward movement and the pivoting of the base portion 2 to the position shown in FIG. 6. In this position, the flaps of the carton, both inner and outer, are in proper position to be stapled. Furthermore, the ap lifter 1 is positioned on the carton 18 in such a manner that the inner edge 22 of the inner flap 21 is in a known position. The portable stapling machine 23 is then moved into its proper posi tion on the ap lifter 1 as shown in FIG. 7. In this position, the flap lifter 1 acts as a base or platform for the stapling machine 23 and also as a guide for properly positioning the first staple to be driven, which is usually the staple most inwardly from the end edge 24 of the carton. In this position, the magazine 25 of the stapling machine 23 rests flatly on the base 2 of the flap lifter 1 and extends through the cut out portion 6 between the upturned anges 5. The back of the head 26 of the stapling machine 23 is positioned close or in contacting relation with the forward edges 9 of the flanges 5 which are a predetermined distance forwardly of the forward wall 14 of the blade 3 and therefore the same distance forwardly of inner edge 23 of the inner flap 21, thereby measuring the precise spot for the innermost staple. The staple is then driven.

The stapling machine 23 is then slid forwardly to drive the next staple, as shown in FIG. 8. Thus, the ilap lifter 1 not only serves to properly position the inner flap 21 but also serves as a base and guide for the stapling machine 23 which drives the staples.

This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A ap lifter comprising a base and a blade secured to said base, said base having fiat upper and lower surfaces, said base having upturned flanges along the forward portion thereof with an opening therebetween, said upturned flanges being positioned at an acute angle with respect to said base, said blade being secured toA said base rearwardly of said forward portion of said base and extending forwardly from said opening, said blade having a forward wall, an upper edge, and a forward edge, said upper edge being substantially parallel to said base, said upper edge being spaced lbelow the plane of said lower surface of said base, said forward wall being positioned a predetermined distance rearwardly of the forward edges of said flanges.

2. A ilap lifter comprising a base and a blade extending therefrom, said base being substantially rectangular and having at upper and lower surfaces, said base having a pair of spaced upturned flanges along the forward portion thereof with an opening therebetween, said upturned flanges being approximately at a 30 angle with said base, said blade being secured to the lower surface of said base, said blade extending forwardly from said opening midway between said flanges, said blade having a forward wall, an upper edge, and a forward edge, said upper edge being substantially parallel to said base and spaced below the plane of said lower surface of said base, said forward wall being positioned a predetermined distance rearwardly of the forward edges of said flanges.

3. A ap lifter comprising a bases and a blade extending therefrom, said base being substantially rectangular and having flat upper and lower surfaces, said base having a pair of spaced upturned flanges along the forward portion thereof with an opening therebetween, said upturned flanges being approximately at a 30 angle with said base, said blade being secured to the lower surface of said base perpendicular thereto, said blade extending forwardly from said opening midway between said flanges, said blade having a forward wall, an upper edge, and a rounded forward edge, said upper edge being substantially parallel to said base, said upper edge being spaced below the plane of said lower surface of said base, said forward wall being positioned a predetermined distance rearwardly of the forward edges of said anges.

4. A flap lifter comprising a base and a blade secured to said base, said base being substantially rectangular and having at upper and lower surfaces, said base having a pair of spaced upturned flanges along the forward portion thereof with an opening therebetween, said upturned flanges being approximately at a 30 angle with said base, said blade being secured to the lower surface of said base at a point rearwardly of the forward edge of said base, said blade extending forwardly from said opening midway between said flanges, said blade having a forward wall, an upper edge, and a rounded forward edge, said upper edge being substantially parallel to said base, said upper edge being spaced below the plane of said lower surface of said base, Said forward wall being positioned a predetermined distance rearwardly of the forward edges of said flanges and the forward edge of said base to form a pocket between said blade and said base.

Yollans Apr. 25, 1961 Law July 17, 1962

Claims

1. A FLAP LIFTER COMPRISING A BASE AND A BLADE SECURED TO SAID BASE, SAID BASE HAVING FLAT UPPER AND LOWER SURFACES, SAID BASE HAVING UPTURNED FLANGES ALONG THE FORWARD PORTION THEREOF WITH AN OPENING THEREBETWEEN, SAID UPTURNED FLANGS BEING POSITIONED AT AN ACUTE ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID BASE, SAID BLADE BEING SECURED TO SAID BASE REARWARDLY OF SAID FORWARD PORTION OF SAID BASE AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM SAID OPENING, SAID BLADE HAVING A FORWARD WALL, AN UPPER EDGE, AND A FORWARD EDGE, SAID UPPER EDGE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID BASE, SAID UPPER EDGE BEING SPACED BELOW THE PLANE OF SAID LOWER SURFACE OF SAID BASE, SAID FORWARD WALL BEING POSITIONED A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE REARWARDLY OF THE FORWARD EDGES OF SAID FLANGES.