Automated device for erecting individual French fry containers and method
A device and method for erecting a collapsed individual portion-sized French fry type container of the type having opposed sidewalls connected by a collapsible container bottom are provided. The device includes a retrieving and container grasping device, which may be a suction cup, for grasping one of the opposed sidewalls, a restraining member for restraining the other opposed sidewall, and means for causing movement of the grasping device away from the restraining member to separate the sidewalls. The grasping device may be mounted to carriages for moving it in two dimensions. An inclined ramp may also be included to urge up the container bottom as it is dragged up the ramp, thus urging the container to an erected position. Additionally, a stream of compressed air may be injected into the open end of the container and towards the container bottom by an appropriate injecting means for assisting in the erecting.
1 . A method of erecting a collapsed individual portion-sized French fry type container of the type having opposed sidewalls connected by a collapsible container bottom, comprising:
grasping the unerected French fry container, pulling the container against a restraining member;
mechanically dragging the bottom of the container so that it traverses up an inclined ramp to urge up the container bottom to urge the container to an erected position.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising injecting a stream of compressed air into the open end of the container and towards the container bottom for assisting in the erecting.
3 . An automated device for erecting an individual portion unerected French fry container of the type having opposed sidewalls connected by a collapsible container bottom, comprising:
an automated retrieving and container grasping device for grasping one of the opposed sidewalls of the unerected container;
a restraining member for restraining from relative movement the other of said opposed sidewalls when said one sidewall is grasped by the grasping device and moved in the desired direction;
means for causing relative movement of the grasping device away from the restraining member while the grasping device grasps the unerected carton for causing the opposed carton sidewalls to move apart from each other.
4 . The device of claim 3 further comprising an urging member for urging the carton bottom upwardly during the movement apart of the carton sidewalls.
5 . The device of claim 3 wherein said grasping device comprises a suction cup for grasping one of the opposed container sidewalls.
6 . The device of claim 5 wherein said grasping device comprises a vacuum source to apply at least a partial vacuum to the suction cup.
7 . The device of claim 4 wherein said urging member comprises an inclined ramp.
8 . The device of claim 3 further comprising means for injecting a stream of compressed air into the open end of the container when the opposed sidewalls are at least partially moved apart from each other to help urge the opposed sidewalls apart in erecting the container.
9 . The device of claim 3 further comprising a carriage on which said grasping device is mounted for causing linear movement of said grasping device in a first dimension.
10 . The device of claim 9 further comprising a second carriage for linear movement of said grasping device in a second dimension.