US 12,214,925 B2
Methods and machine for forming a container from a blank and applying an identification tag
Amer Aganovic, Orlando, FL (US); Theodore Hammond, Phoenix, AZ (US); Craig William Buscema, Douglasville, GA (US); and John Philip Dwyer, Stillwater, MN (US)
Assigned to WestRock Shared Services, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by WestRock Shared Services, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Oct. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/971,305.
Prior Publication US 2024/0132243 A1, Apr. 25, 2024
Prior Publication US 2024/0228099 A9, Jul. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. B65C 9/00 (2006.01); B65C 9/40 (2006.01)
CPC B65C 9/00 (2013.01) [B65C 9/40 (2013.01); B65C 2009/0003 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material, the blank including a first surface that forms an interior surface of the container and a second surface that forms an exterior surface of the container, said machine comprising:
a frame;
an identification tag applicator mounted to the frame, the identification tag applicator being configured to apply an identification tag to the first surface of the blank, wherein the blank includes a glue panel at one end of the blank, an overlap panel at an opposite end of the blank, and a series of side panels and corner panels in an alternating arrangement between the glue panel and the overlap panel, each side panel being connected to an adjacent corner panel by a fold line, wherein the identification tag application is configured to adhere the identification tag to the first surface of the blank defining one of the corner panels of the blank;
a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame and located operationally downstream from the identification tag applicator, the mandrel assembly comprising a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the container; and
a lift assembly configured to lift the blank having the identification tag adhered thereto towards the mandrel and wrap the blank about the mandrel.