GB1454651A - Apparatus for sealing and closing boxes - Google Patents

Abstract

1454651 Apparatus for closing boxes/conveyers comprising endless belts and rollerways PRICE & KNOTT MFG CO Ltd 21 March 1974 [6 April 1973] 12750/74 Headings B8C and B8A An apparatus for gluing and closing boxes of the same and different heights comprises a pivotal arm 34 for sensing the height of the box at a sensing zone Z and causing adjustment of the height of a glue applicator 68 and flap folders 60, 70 which are mounted on a vertically movable frame 50 at a gluing and closing station G. The width of the box is also sensed at the zone Z by sensors (33) Fig. 8 (not shown) which move inwardly with conveyer belts 30 until the box sides are contacted. The spacing between conveyer belts 46 at the gluing and closing station G is then adjusted using further sensors (102, 104). Fig. 8 (not shown) which compare the positions of the conveyer belts 30, 46. If the sensed dimensions of the box at the zone Z are the same as those of the box passing through the station G, the frame 50 stays in the same position and the box immediately admitted to the station G. If the boxes at the zone Z and station G have different sensed dimensions, the box at the zone Z is held until the preceding box has left the station G. The belts of each pair of belts 30, 46 are moved together and apart in equal amounts by a respective piston and cylinder assembly (80, 90) Fig. 8 (not shown) connected to a respective endless cable (76, 86) Fig. 3 (not shown) to which the conveyer belt wheels (32, 48) Fig. 2 (not shown) are also connected. The top and bottom of the box are closed at the station. In operation as a box is detected entering the sensing zone Z an input gate 16 is raised and the belts 30 are moved from a fully spaced-apart position to engage and convey the box until it strikes a stop plate 20. The bottom side flaps are allowed to fall open by lowering box supporting rollers 10 and raising a central rail 26 which supports only the front and rear bottom flaps. The dimensions of the box are sensed and the height of the frame 50 and the spacing of conveyer belts 46 are adjusted, if necessary before the stop plate 20 is lowered. As the box enters the station G it is supported by a central rail 40 with its side flaps still open and the folder 60 which is a rotatable helical rod, folds down the rear top flap. Lines of glue are applied to the top and bottom front and rear flaps by applicators 66, 68 controlled by box detecting sensors (118, 120, 122, 124) Fig. 8 (not shown). The sensors (118, 124) which are mounted on the cable (86) for moving the conveyer belts (46) together and apart, control the applicators 66, 68 so that adhesive is not applied to the box in the regions between the front and rear flaps. The bottom and top side flaps are then closed by a pair of upwardly angled lower closers 42 and upper closing rails 70, respectively.