A cutting apparatus and opening method for a rectangular package covered with packaging material includes a platform for positioning a rectangular package. Spacing members are provided for forming a space between the packaging material and the packaged items on two mutually opposing planes of the package on the platform. A pair of cutting blades are mounted for cutting the packaging material from one edge to the other in the direction of height or width where a space is formed between the packaging material and the packaged items by the spacing members. A pair of cutting blades are also mounted for cutting the packaging material from one of the two edges other than the edges passing the starting point and the finishing point of each of the two cutting lines cut by the pair of cutting blades to the above-memtioned cutting lines. A second spacing member is provided for forming a space between the packaging material and the packaged items on the plane with two edges that pass the ends of the two cutting lines made by the pair of cutting blades. A cutting blade cuts the packaging material for connecting the two cutting lines on the above plane and a device is provided to open the packaging material from each area on the three planes provided with cutting lines.
At a top face of a substantially parallelepipedic package, plate members having cutting blades at side edges thereof are inserted into a gap between a pair of bonded flaps of packaging material on the one hand and, on the other, packaged items and folded edges of the packaging material to cut the packaging material along the edges of the top face. The cut portions of the packaging material are opened with suction pads, and holding members of an unloader are inserted into two ends of the package from the opened top face to hold and take out the packaged items.
An apparatus for encasing a bale of compressed, expandable material, including a compliant sleeve, surrounding the bale of material; first and second sideframes arranged at opposing sides of the bale; and first and second slats, arranged at opposing sides of the bale and between the first and second sideframes, the slats interlocking with the sideframes for retaining the sideframes in position. Another aspect of the invention is a warehousing system for storing and retrieving bales of material. The system includes storage means for encasing the bales of material. The storage means includes a compliant sleeve, surrounding the material; first and second sideframes arranged at first and second opposing sides of the bale; and first and second slats, arranged at third and fourth opposing sides of the bale and between the first and second sideframes, the slats interlocking with the sideframes for retaining the sideframes in position. The system also includes automated means for removing the storage means from the bales of material. In one aspect the automated means includes means for positioning one or more of the bales in a de-casing region, and de-casing means for simultaneously securing the slats and removing the sideframes. In another aspect of the invention, the automated means further includes means for stacking the removed sideframes, and means for stacking storage pallets on which a plurality of bales are stacked.
An apparatus and method for cutting open a sealed box. A box typically has several of planar panels having a thickness and which panels meet at edges to define a box length, width and height and a central cavity. A box is conveyed to a cutting station where it is urged against a rotating blade which cuts through a box edge and pierces parallel to the plane of and into the thickness of one of the planar panels without entering the central cavity. The apparatus and method are useful for slitting boxes containing rectangular objects without marring the box contents. The apparatus is particularly useful for cutting open boxes containing books or the like, without damaging the box contents.
An apparatus and method for cutting open a case of product having a top and a bottom is provided. The case is placed on a conveyor and moved to a cutting apparatus. The top is cut open at the cutting apparatus. The case is moved to a lift apparatus. The top of the case is opened and the product is lifted from the bottom of the case. The case is then cut thereby separating the bottom of the case from the top of the case.
An apparatus and method for cutting open a case of product having a top and a bottom is provided. The case is placed on a conveyor and moved to a cutting apparatus. The top is cut open at the cutting apparatus. The case is moved to a lift apparatus. The top of the case is opened and the product is lifted from the bottom of the case. The case is then cut thereby separating the bottom of the case from the top of the case.
