US 12,459,224 B2
Methods and systems for forming trays
Joseph C. Walsh, Boulder, CO (US); Robert L. Conatser, Golden, CO (US); Mark Woodward, Lakewood, CO (US); Colin P. Ford, Woodstock, GA (US); and Shawn Westerlund, Aitkin, MN (US)
Assigned to Graphic Packaging International, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by Graphic Packaging International, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on May 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/203,957.
Application 18/203,957 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/071,985, filed on Nov. 30, 2022, granted, now 12,172,405.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/284,823, filed on Dec. 1, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0302756 A1, Sep. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. B31B 50/44 (2017.01); B31B 50/06 (2017.01); B31B 100/00 (2017.01); B31B 110/30 (2017.01)
CPC B31B 50/44 (2017.08) [B31B 50/06 (2017.08); B31B 2100/0024 (2017.08); B31B 2110/30 (2017.08)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for forming a tray, the system comprising:
an upstream end;
a downstream end;
a blank feeder assembly positioned at an upstream end of the system, the blank feeder assembly comprising a blank infeed configured to receive at least one blank for forming a tray, the blank feeder assembly comprising a blank distribution mechanism configured to engage and move the at least one blank in a machine direction of the system; and
a tray forming assembly positioned downstream from the blank feeder assembly, the tray forming assembly comprising a turret assembly comprising a plurality of female tray forming members, the turret assembly further comprising a turret body rotatably mounted to a portion of the system, the tray forming assembly further comprising a piston assembly comprising a male forming member for being at least partially received in a respective female tray forming member of the plurality of female tray forming members for forming a tray from the at least one blank.