Fixture for Hand-Packing of Cartons

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for use in packing containers into a carton, the apparatus including a base defining a support surface having a width substantially equal to the width of the carton bottom wall, a longitudinal stop disposed at an end edge of the support surface, a lateral stop disposed at a side edge of the support surface, and a corner edge stop. A corner edge stop support connects the corner edge stop to the base and positions the corner edge stop such that the distance between the corner edge stop and the support surface is substantially equal to the carton side wall widths.

1 . An apparatus for use in packing containers into a carton, the carton including at least first and second carton walls connected along a fold line, said carton walls each having a wall width and a wall length, the apparatus comprising:
 a base defining a support surface having first and second side edges defining therebetween a base width substantially equal to said first wall width, and first and second end edges defining therebetween a base length;   a longitudinal stop disposed at a first end edge of said support surface;   a lateral stop disposed at said first side edge of said support surface;   a corner edge stop; and   a corner edge stop support connecting said corner edge stop to said base and positioning said corner edge stop such that the distance between said corner edge stop and said support surface is substantially equal to said second wall width.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said longitudinal stop is a plate projecting upwardly from said base. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said lateral stop is a finger projecting upwardly from said base. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said corner edge stop support is a plate projecting upwardly from said, base at said second edge of said support surface, and said corner edge stop is defined as a lip formed on said plate. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said base length is substantially equal to said first wall length. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said support surface is named so as to be free of projections between said first and second side edges and said first and second end edges, so that the carton may be slidingly moved in a longitudinal direction along said support surface. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle defined in said base. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a tape dispenser attached to said base. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said tape dispenser is attached to the underside of said base. 
   
   
       10 . A method of packing containers into a carton using an apparatus, the carton including at least first and second carton walls connected along a fold line, said carton walls each having a wall width and a wall length, and the apparatus including:
 a base defining a support surface having first and second side edges defining therebetween a base width substantially equal to said first wall width, and first and second end edges defining therebetween a base length;   a lateral stop disposed at said first side edge of said support surface;   a corner edge stop; and   a corner edge stop support connecting said corner edge stop to said base at said second edge of said support surface and positioning said corner edge stop such that the distance between said corner edge stop and said support surface is substantially equal to said second wall width;   the method comprising the steps of:   placing said carton in an at least partially collapsed condition with said first carton wall on said support surface with said fold line positioned at said second edge;   engaging said first carton wall against said lateral stop;   erecting said carton into a tubular form by positioning said second carton wall against said corner edge stop support;   engaging said second carton wall against said corner edge stop; and   placing containers into said carton.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said carton further includes first and second end closure flaps located respectively at first and second ends of said carton, the method comprising the further steps of:
 closing said first end closure flaps; and   closing said second end closure flaps.   
   
   
       12 . The method of chum  11 , wherein said apparatus further includes a longitudinal stop disposed at a first end edge of said support surface; and
 closing said first end closure flaps is performed by folding said first end closure flaps into a closed position, sealing said first end closure flaps in the closed position, and longitudinally sliding said carton along said support surface to position said first end closure flaps against said longitudinal stop.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein, closing said second end closure flaps is performed by folding said second end closure flaps into a closed position, applying an adhesive to said second end closure flaps in the closed position, positioning said apparatus and carton in an upright position with said second end closure flaps uppermost, and placing a weight on said second end closure flaps until said adhesive is secure.