US1423094A - Carton-sealing machine - Google Patents

Description

J. L. FERGUSON.

CARTON SEALING MACHINE. APPLICATION HLED AUG 29. 1913- RENEWED 1U ga M LY 16,- I919.

Patented July 18, 1922.

8 SHEETS-SHEET' 1.

. FERGUSON.

, CARTON SEALING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG:29, 1913. gznzwzn JULY 16, 1919.

' Patented July 18, 1922.

' 8 SHEETS SHEET 2.

J. L. FERGUSON.

CARTON SEALING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG.29, 1913 RENEWED JULY 16, 1919.

1,483,994. I ented uly 18, 1922.

I 8 SHEETS-SHEET 3- J. L. FEBGUSON.

CARTON SEALING MACHINE. APPLICATION HLD AUG.29, 1913i RENEWED JULY 16, 1919.

1 423 094 Patented July 18, 1922.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

SQ Zia/6755257": i I W J. L. FERGUSON.

CARTON SEALING MACHINE APFLICATION FILED AUG-29, 1918- RENEWEQIULY 16, 1919- 1AQ3,094. Patented July18,1922.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

1.. L. FERGUSON.

CARTON SEALING MACHINE. APPLICATION FlLED-AUG.29, 191a. RENEWED IUL Y I6, 1913,

Patented July 18, 1.922

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6- 5Q J5 J6 J6 J6 i h 80 & 7 miA 77 J04. LLU 1 104 W M6595; SQ Jaye/$3 J. L.- FERGUSON. v CARTON SEALING MACHINE. APPucATloN FILED AUG-29; i913. RENEWED JULY 1 6; 1919. 23 094 Patented July 18, 1922.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.-

J.L.FERGUS0N5; CARTON SEALING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG-29, l9l3- RENEWED l ULY I6, 1919-,

Patnted July 18, 1922 8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

Illinois,

rarer caries.

JOHN L. FERGUSON,

or JoLIE'r, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE ouAKEr. oars COMPANY,

OF CHICAGO, I LLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFNEW JERSEY.

. CARTON-SEALING MAcHINE.

Application filed August 29,1913, Serial No. 787,371.

'1 '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, a citizen of the United States, residing at Joliet, in the 'county of; Will and State of have invented new' -and'useful 1m; provements in Carton Sealing MELCl'11I1eS, 0f which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part'of this specification.

My invention pertains to carton-sealing machines. It is an'object of my invention to improve upon machines of this character and to provide a machine which will be efficient as well as speedy in its operation, to which cartons may be automatically fed from a continuous supply, and which will require a minimum of floor space. It is a furtherobject of my invention to provide an efiic'ient and fast machine which will seal the open ends of empty cartons and the other open ends of the cartons after the latter have been filled. Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following specification, taken in connection with the appended claims.

As an example of an embodiment of my invention, I have described in the following specification and shown In the accompanyany .other ends sealed,

ing drawings a'carton sealing machine to which empty cartons are fed by after sealing, are automatically delivered to suitable weighing and filling mechanism, from cally returned to the machine, to have their and subsequently de= livered to a suitablereceptacle. .lt is to be understood, however, that my invention may be embodied in other forms than that described and'shown, and that changes may be made in the machine shown without exceeding the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

In the "drawings:

Fig. 1-is a plan of a carton sealing machine embodying my invention; I,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig.2 1s a sectional elevation of the same," being taken on the line 3-3 of the section Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; j

, Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-& of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the. arrows;

I Fig. 5 is a plan of the controlling disc valve for the blowing off device, the section Specification of Ietters Patent.

JOHN L; FERcUsoN,

hand, and,

which mechanism they are automati-.

Fatented July f8, 1922. Renewed July is, 1919. Serial No. 311,381.

being taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 6 isa sectional elevation of the blowlng off device for effecting the removal of the empty cartons after their ends have been sealed, and of the controlling disc valve therefor, the section being taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; k V Fig. 7 is a sectional rear view of the con trolling cam which closes the end flaps of the'cartons andspreads out the side flaps ready for gluing, the section being taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2 looking inthe direction of the arrows;

Figs. 8 21 are a series of schematic views showing the mode of operation of the cam shown in" Fig. 7

Fig. 22 is asectional fragmentary rear view of the cam for closing over the side flaps after the latter have been glued, the section being taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; Figs. 23-26 are a series of schematic views illustrating the mode of operation of the cam shown in Fig. 22; and

Figs. 2729 are three perspective views showing the successive conditions of the carton as it is being "operated upon by the machine.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the following specificap'anyin drawings.

Brie y stated, the nature of the machine now to be described is as follows: Two

.to support empty cartons in the condition shown in Fig. 27, and the other series being adapted to support filled cartons in the condition shown in Fig. 28, but, of course, with the open end upwards. Both series of carton supporting members traverse the same .path during a ortion of their travel; and the members are so that the members of each series will be interspaced with those of the other series during the time when both series are traversboth series of members are traversing the same path, the open "ends of the carbons folded down and glued inv place. The empty cartons (in the condition shown in Fig; 27)

tion and the several figures of the accom-- are disposed on the conveyors ing the same path. During the time when are placed upon the support members of one conveyor by hand; and, after their top ends have been sealed, are automatically delivered (in the condition shown in Fig. 28) to a weighing and filling machine; from which machine theyare automatically fed, in afilled condition, to the support members of the other conveyor, whence they are automatically delivered (in the condition shown in Fig. 29) to a suitable, receptacle. The sealing mechanism operates first upon the open end of an empty carton, then upon the open end of a filled carton, then upon the open end of an empty carton, and so on.

Referring now to the drawings and partic'ularly to Figs. land 4 thereof, the machine includes a bed 29' supported on suitable legs carrying bearings for a main drive shaft 30, which isdriven from any suitable source of power. The shaft 30 is provided with a clutch 31 for, throwing all of the parts of the machine except the glue wheels out of operation when desired, the clutch bein adapted to be operated by means of'a han le 32 placedin a position where it can be conveniently manipulated by the operator. The shaft drives, through gearing 33, a countershaft 34,- from which the majority of the parts of the machine receive 30 their motion.

Mounted so as to rotate. in vertical bearings carried by the bed 29, is a'horizontal sprocket wheel 35. (Figs. 1, 3 and 4). The shaft of the sprocket wheel 35 also carries 35 a gear wheel 36 which meshes with a pinion 37 carried by a stub shaft, which shaft is driven, through bevel gearin 38, by a-countershaft 34. A sprocket c ain 39' passes around the sprocket wheel 35 and around a 40 second sprocket wheel 40 which is supported at the opposite end of the machine to the wheel 35. The sprocket chain 39 carries the supporting members for the empty cartons. The bed 29 has mounted thereupon a pair of rails 41 with which is associated that part of the sprocket chain 39 which is located at the outside of the machine and at the ends thereof. The bed also carries a pair of rails 42 with which is associated that part of the chain which is locateddown the center of the machine. As will hereinafter be explained, the rails 42 are associated with. the sprocket chain for the filled cartons as well as with the sprocket chain 39 which carries the supports for the empty cartons. The supports for the empty cartons are spaced at e ualdistances along the sprocket chain 39. ach of. these supports (Figs. 1,

- ,3 .and- 6). comprises a hollow stand 43 of a" size such that a carton will fit thereover, and a providedwith an inlet port 44 at its lower end. The stand 43 is provided with a stop 45 upon which rests the edge of one of the side flaps 46 of the carton, and is formed with a port 47, for permitting the carton to be blown off when air under pressure is pass down the outside of the machine empty cartons are placed thereon by hand. As they pass down the center of the machine the end fiaps 49 and 50 of the top end of the carton arefolded down and the side flaps 51 of the top end of the carton are folded upon the end flaps after having been glued. After the folding and glueing operation, just prior to the stands passing down the outside of the machine again, the cartons are blown off by air under pressure into suit-able chutes which deliver them to a weighing and filling machine, as will now be described.

Mounted beneath the sprocket wheel 40 is a blower pipe 52 connected with a suitable source of air under pressure and provided with a pair of nozzles 53 and 54, respectively, (Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6). The nozzles 53 and 54 are spaced apart a distance which is equal to half the distance between each of the stands 43; and the nozzle 54 is placed nearer the periphery of the sprocket wheel 40 than is the nozzle 53. Secured to the sprocket Wheel 40 concentrically with the same is a disc valve 55 having therein a pair of valve apertures 56 which are adapted to register with the nozzle 53, and having a second pair of valve apertures 57 which are adapted to register with the nozzle 54, the apertures 57 being spaced equi-distantly between the apertures 56. Mounted above the disc valve 55 with its lower end in register with the nozzle 53, is a pipe 58, the upper end of which is located so as to. register with the 1m ports 44 of the stands 43, as the latter pass above it. A pipe 59 is likewise.- provided, the lower end of which registers with the nozzle 54 and the upper end of which registers with the ports 44 of the stands 43, as the latter pass above it. Located above the pipes 58 and 59, respectively, in such a position that the cartons can just pass beneath them, are a pair of open ended chutes 60 and 61 which lead to a suitable weighing and filling nmchine (not shown). 1

The empty cartons, with their top ends sealed, are removed from the stands 43 in thc following manner.. When a stand, carrying a carton with its top-end sealed, reaches :1. position in which its port 44 is in register with the pipe 58,. one-of the valve apertures 56 will have comeinto register with the nozzle 53, the other nozzle being closed.v The nozzle 53 being open, the compressed air :30

' chairs and stands pass down the center of eas es passes out through it, and through the port is, into the interior of the hollow stand l3, forcibly blowing the carton up into the chute 60, and through the chute to the weighing and filling machine. By the time the stand next following that from which the carton has just beenremoved, reaches the pipe 58, the nozzle 53 will have been closed; but by the time this stand reaches the pipe 59 the nozzle 5% will have been opened, by reason of one of the ports all having come into reg ister therewith. .The next carton, therefore, will be blown up into the chute 61. lit will be seen, therefore, that the empty cartons, with their top ends sealed, are alternately blown off the stands into the chutes 60 and 61, and thus delivered to the weighing and filling machine. From the weighing and filling mechanism they are automatically returned to the machine and fed one by one to the second conveyor, which again passes them beneath the folding and gluing devices, to seal their other ends.

Rotatably mounted on the bed 29 are a pair of sprocket wheels 62 and 63, around which passes sprocket chain tid (Figs. 1,' 2 and l), The sprocket wheel 62 is provided with a gear wheel 65 which meshes with the gear wheel 3% of the sprocket wheel 35. The chain ea ns down the center of the machine parallel W-nil1 the chain 39, between the rails a2, and runs, at the outside of the machine and at the ends thereof, between rails'be, similar to rails ll, Secured to the chain 64:, at spaces therealong which are the same as the spaces between the stands id-are a series of chairs 6? of such a height that they will support the filled cartons with their end flaps on the same plane as the end tlaps of the empty cartons which are carried by the stands ed. The chairs 67' are provided with backs 68 for supporting the cartons, and are formed with side flanges 69 which rest upon, and are slidably supported by, the rails 66 or the rails s2, according to the position of the chairs in the machine. The chairs are so disosed upon the chain 64: that they will be interspaced equal distances between the stands 43 3) the time when the the machine,

The fil ed cartons are delivered from the weighing and iillingimachine to an endless conveyor band 70, which, turn delivers them to a second endless conveyor band 71., which runs parallel with the chain ea at the outside of machine s. and M -'lliese conveyor bands are pro ,led with side guides IQ and Y3, respectively, which hold the cartons in proper position during their movements. Located inst above the conveyor 71 is a transfer cylinder 7%, a portion of the outer edge of which is formed a spiral curve, as at 75, which curve terminates in nsverse edge 76. The transfer cylinder 7% is provided with a sprocket 77, around which passes a chain 78. The chain also passes around a sprocket 79 which drives the conveyor 71, around an idler 80 and around a sprocket 81 secured to the countershaft at. The gearing is such that the transfer cylinder rotates once for each of the chairs 6'? which passes it.

The conveyor 71 delivers the cartons one behind the other against the surface of the transfer cylinder 74. N hen the transfer cylinder comes to the position in which its transverse edge 76 is midway between its top and bottom positions, the conveyor belt is permitted to begin to move the carton or cartons forward.- As this movement continues the front carton (supposing more than one to be on the, conveyor which there will usually be) is tilted, by the spiral edge 75 of the transfer cylinder, in the direction of the conveyor chain he;

The carton is then moved forward, by the conveyor belt 71', onto an intermediate table 106, the carton next following it being detained by reason of its engagement with the su ri'ace oi the transfer cylinder. The intermediate tahle 106 is located just below the surface of the conveyor belt 71 along the side of the latter; and the chairs 6? pass 7 successively beneath it. A guide 10'? is arranged so as to be engaged by the inner sides of the top endsoi the cartons during their transference; and a guide 101% is'provided for engaging the outer sides oi their lower ends. These guidesforce each carton to assume, when it is deposited on the intermediate table, such a position that it will he struck by the back 68 of the next chair, and carried, forward by the chair.

By the above described mechanism the cartons are automatically transferred one by one to the chairs 6'? from the conveyor belt 71. The mechanism is not controlled by the cartons, and will operate equally well regardless ofwhether there'is a, nui'n her of cartons in a row on the conveyor belt 71, or whether they are being delivered by the belt in irregularly spaced relation with each other. This is due to the fact that, when one carton has been carried onto the intermediate table, the next carton {supposing one should be close behind it} is pre vented from being moved oil the conveyor byreason of-the engagement of front face against thei,-surt'ace oi the transfer cyl- 'inder' 74. l Vh'en however, the nest (llldli has arrived near the position in which 1 3-.'

ceive's a carton, the transfer cylinder have made a haltrevolution and wi 1 permit the transfer at this carton e intermediate table ready to be swept on 7 t'i'ie chair. The movement of a carton the cgnveyor 71 to the intermediate table cannot be started except at precisely the right moment, since the surface of the ansfor cylinder forms a stop against which the gluing mechanism. After passing beneath the folding and gluing mechanism, theyare automatically transferred, in the condition shown in Fig. 29, to a conveyor 83 which delivers them to a suitable receptacle. The

transference of'the cartons to the conveyor 83 is effected by means of a finger 84 (Fig. 1) against which the cartons are adapted to strike, and which deflects them onto the conveyor.

The folding and gluing mechanism now to be described operates alternately upon the open end of an empty carton and the open end of a filled carton, as the cartons are carried, in interposed relation, beneath it by the conveyor chains. This mechanism includes a folder wheel 85 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 7) carrying a sprocket 86 over which passes a chain 87. The chain 87 passes around a sprocltet 88 secured to the main shaft 30 and around a sprocket 89 carried by the folding cylinder, which latter folds down the side flaps and will be described below.

The folder wheel 85 isformed with a hook 90 disposed immediately above the center of the path of the cartons down the middle of the machine. The sides of the hook 90 are curved outwardly, as at 91', in wedge form and merge into 'disc portions 92 which are located laterally beyond the path which would be traversed by the side flaps of the cartons-weresuchjlaps to remain in their upright condition. The fblder wheel 85 is so dis osed, and the mechanism is so timed, that t-.;e point of the book 90 will be substantially in line with the axis of the folder wheel just prior to thetime when each car ton l e brought against it by the conveyor mechanism (Fig. 8 mechanismficarries the carton forward, its end flap 4C9 (supposing it to be an empty carton which is being sealed) is pushed against the face of the book 99 (Fig. 9). As the carton moves forward further, the end flap 49 is pushed downward to a greater and greater extent as shown in Figs. 10, 12 and 14;, and, in end view, in Figs. 11, 13 and 15. The flap 4:9 is ultimately folded down fiat as shown in F 16, and, in end view, in Fig. 1'5. As the folder wheel rotates further, the edges of the hook portion ass awa in lateral direction from the a J? a.

ripheral faces of the glue wheels 94- 'in the center of the bed 29.

As the conveyor fiap 49, and permit it to spring upward been folded down, the flap 49 enters beneath a horizontal tongue 93 (Fig. 20) which is disposed centrally in the path of the cartons, which tongue folds down the flap 49 again, above the flap :9 (Fig. 21).

While the end flaps 49 and 50 are being folded down in the manner described above, the side flaps 51 are spread outward into a horizontal position. This is effected by the wedge faces 91 of the hook 90. When the folder wheel reaches about the. position shown in Fig. 14, the wedge faces 91 of the hook 90 begin to engage against the inner surfaces of the side flaps 51, moving them outward as shown in end view in Fig. 15. As the folder wheel moves further, the wedge faces 91 force the flaps 51 out into a horizontal position (Fig- 17). The front portion of the tongue 93 is made of wedge shape (Fig. 1), so as to catch the side flaps 51 and retain them in a horizontal position after they have left the cam wheel.

As the cartons are moved further forward their side flaps. pass beneath a pair of glue wheels 94, which are driven, by chains 95 and 96, from the main shaft 30, the gearing being suclf that the peripheral speed of the wheels 94; will be the same as the speed of travel of the cartons through the machine. The petravel in a suitable steam heated glue box 97. As the cartons pass forward, glue is applied to their side flaps by the glue wheels 94:, their end flaps being retained in folded position by means of a tail piece 98 which extends fromthe tongue 93. I

As the cartons pass away from the glue wheels. 94, the lower faces. ofx their side flaps strike a pair of wedge shaped members 99 carried by a table 80, which is The wedge members 99 (Fig. 3) bend ward slightly, after which the fiaps enter the hollow portion of a folding cylinder 100 1, 3, and 22-26). cylinder carries the sprocket 89 which is driven by the chain. 87, as described above. The periphery of the cylinder 190 is out away'so as to form a large aperture terminating in a transverse arc-shaped edge 101. The corners of the side flaps 51 (supposing it to be an empty carton which is being sealed) enter the aperture of the cylinder 100, and, as the cylinder rotates, the edge 101- forces the side flaps toward each other (Figs. 24 and 25) folding them down flat upon the end flaps. Thereafter, the face of the cylinder pnesses the side flaps down upon each other and upon the end flaps (Fig. 26). The side flaps are folded supported the side flaps up-.

The folding down and glued upon the end flaps. As the cartons continue their travel, the side flaps are held down upon the end flaps by means of a plurality of rollers 102 mounted and arranged so as to press upon the tops of the cartons as they are carried along beneath them.

In the above description of the sealing: or the cartons reference has been made to the numerals denoting the flaps of the empty cartons; but it wili be understood, of course, that the sealing mechanism operates first upon the ends oi an empty carton, then upon the ends of a filled carton, and so on.

in order that the cartons may be held in piace'during the sealing operation, a pair oi side rails 103 are disposed down the center of the machine so as to slidably engage the sides of the cartons adjacent the bottoms. A second pair of rails 104 are provided for slidably engaging the sides of the cartons adjacent the tops.

will be observed that the machine which has been described above as an emhodiment of my invention, utilizes the same sealingdevices for sealing the upper ends of empty cartons as for sealing the other ends of the same cartons after they have been fiiled. The feeding and discharge operations with the exception of the piacin of the empty cartons on the stands, whic in the machine described, is performed by hand. The transfer of the filled cartons from the conveyor belt to the chairs is efi eoted with certainty, even when the chairs are running at high speed, and the mechanism for e18 fecting such transfer operates properly regardless of the position or quantity of the cartons on the conveyor belt. The foiding or" the end flaps is performed a consider abiy higher speed than is attained in the folding; machines now on the market, this being: due to the nature and arrangement of the parts, and largely to the fact that rotatinn; devices are employed for performing the folding operations. The nature of the various mechanisms is such that there is little likelihood of their getting; out of. order v by reason or wear or hard usage. The machine occupies, buthttle floor space and may readily hehandledhy one operator.

l have descrihed, by way of example, one form of machine inwhich my invention may be embodied; but Wish it understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms, and that some of the mecsanisms may be employed in other connections than that in which they are described, What ll claim being: p

i n a machine for sealing the flaps or cartons the combination Withl'a pair of conveyors for the cartons, said conveyors traveling, thronghouea portion of their length, in separate paths travei,

together are all automaticaily performed,

paths while receiving the cartons and in the same path Whiie bringing the cartons into operative reiation with the sealing mechanism;

3. in a machine for sealing the (laps of 0Q) cartons, the combination Witi a. sealing mechanism, of two sets or carton carriers for bringing the cartons into operative rela tion with, said mechanism, and means for causing said carriers to travei ,in separate paths Whiie deiivering the cartons and in the same path'while bringing the cartons into operative relation with the sealing mechanism.

at. in a machine for seaiing the flaps cartons, the combination with seal ng mech anism, of two sets of carton carriers or bringing the cartons oper ve relation with said mechanism, means for causing said carriers to travei in separate paths while receiving and deliverin the cartons and in the same "whiie winging the cartons into operative reiation the seeding; mechanism.

5. in a machine the character described, the combine n with a 'continnousiy traveling conveyor, "1 con inuously operating rotary end flap ding mechanism, continuously operaeing rotary side flap foiding mechanism.

6. "in a machine of the character de" scribed, the combin of continuouslyoperating rotary end foidin continuously operati rating lltl , weapon 10.'ln a machine of the character described, a side flap spreader and end flap,

folder comprising a rotary hook having a pair of wedge shapedcwings diverging therefrom. y

11. lln a machine of the character described, a side flap spreader and end flap folder comprising a rotary arc-shaped hook having a pair of wedge shaped wings diverging therefrom. a

12. in a machine of the .character described, a side flap spreader and end flap folder comprising a rotary arc-shaped hook having a pair of Wedge shaped wings di yerging therefrom, said wings terminatin in-disc portions. Y

-13. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a. rotary side spreader and end flap folder comprising an arc-shaped hook, a pair of wedge shaped wings diverging from said hook anda pair of disc portions in which said wings terminate, and means for continuously moving cartons beneath said device.

1 2. in a carton sealing machine, an end flap folding mechanism comprising means for moving the cartons, and a revoluble member disposed adjacent said moving means and adapted to engage an end flap from behind and fold it down in the direction of movement of the carton and under the other end flap.

In a machine for sealing cartons hav ing two oppositely disposed end flaps, a

folding mechanism for said end flaps comprising means for moving the cartons, and

a revoluble member disposed adjacent said moving means, and adapted first to be engaged by the front face of the front end flap, whereby'the latter is folded, and then to en age the rear end flap from behind and fold it down in the direction of movement of the carton.

16. in machine for sealing cartons having two oppositely disposed end, flaps, a fold ing mechanism for said end flaps comprising means for moving the cartons, and a.

revoluble member disposed adjacent said moving means and adapted first to be engaged by the front face of the front end flap whereby the latter is initiall folded, and then to engage the rear end apfrom behind and fold it down in the direction of movement of the carton and under said front endflap.

17. in a machine for sealing cartons having two oppositely disposed end flaps, a

folding mechanism for said end flaps com-' prising means for moving the cartons, a revoluble member disposed adjacent said moving means and adapted first to be engaged by the front face of the front end flap, whereby the latter is initially folded, and then to engage the rear end ap from hehind and fold it down in the direction of movement of the carton and under said front end flap, and means disposed adjacent said moving means, adapted for engage ment by the front end flap after said rear end flap has been disposed thereunder, whereby the front end flap is maintained in folded condition on top of said rear end flap. 18. In a carton sealing machine, a flap folding mechanism comprising means for moving the cartons, and a rotary member disposed adjacent said moving means and adapted to engage an end flap from behind and fold it down in the direction of movement of the carton, said member having a side thereof formed to wedge shape, thereby to engage and spread a side flap during the rotation of the member.

19. In a carton sealing machine, a folding mechanism for the end flaps of the cartons comprising means for moving the cartons, and a rotary member disposed adjacent said moving means and adapted first to be engaged by the front, face of the front end flap, whereby the latter is folded, and then to engage the rear end flap from behind and fold it down in the direction of movement of the carton, said member having a side thereof formed to wedge Shape, therebyto engage and spread a side flap during the rotation of the member. a

20. n a machine for sealing cartons having two oppositely disposed side flaps, a rotary side fiap spreading member, a rotary glue applyin device, and a rotary side flap folding mem er.

21. in a machine for sealing cartons, a rotary end flap folding and side flap spreading member, a rotary glue applyin device and a rotary side flap folding mem er.

22. In a machine for sealing cartons, rotary means for spreading the side flaps, rotary means for folding the end fiaps, a rotary glue applying device and rotary means for folding the side flaps.

23. in a carton sealing machine, a flap folding mechanism comprising means for moving the cartons, a rotary member disposed adjacent said moving means and adapted to engage an end flap from behind and fold it down in the direction of movementof the carton, said member having a side thereof iormed to wedge shape, thereby to engage and spread a side flap during the rotation of the member, a rotary side flap gluing device, and a rotary side flap folding device. I

24. in a carton sealing machine, a folding mechanism for the end flaps of the cartons comprising means for moving the cartons, a rotary member disposed adjacent said moving means and adapted first to be engaged by the front face of'the front end flap, whereby the latter is folded, and then to engage the rear end flap from behind and fold reac es it down in the direction of movement of the carton, said member having a side thereof formed to wedge shape, thereby to engage and spread a side flap during the rotation oi the member, a rotary side lap gluing device, and a rotary side flap folding device.

A machine comprising, mechanism for operating on containers and two conveyors,

each, during its travel, carrying thecontainers in position to be operated on by respect to a container, and two conveyors,

one for carrying empty containers and one for carrying filled containers, each conveyor, during a portion of its travel, carrying the containers in position to be operated on by said closing means,

28. A. machine comprising means for placing a closure in closing position with respect to a container, and two container carrying conveyors, each conveyor, during a portion of its travel, carrying the containers in position to be operated on by said closing means.

29. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a closing mechanism, of conveying means for conveying a container through said mechanism, comprising a pair of horizontally disposed endless conveyors, the paths of'travel of said container-conveying means coinciding while passing the containers through the closin mechanism.

30. n a machine of the character described, the combination with a closing mechanlsm, of a container conveyor for con veying the containers through said mochanism, provided with a plurality" of stands for receiving empty containers, and a second conveyor provided with a plurality of chairs for receiving filled containers, the paths of travel ofsaid container carriers coinciding as-they pass the. containers through said closing mechanism. 1

31. In a machine ofthe character described, the combination with a closing mechanism, of two sets of horizontally dis posed tracks converging into a single set beneath said closing mechanism, container-' receiving members arranged to travel on said tracks, and means for advancing said members on said tracks.

' 32. in a machine of the character described, the combination with a closing mechanism, of-two sets ofhorizontally disposed tracks'converging into a single set beneath carrying arran ed other set, and advancing tracks.

stands and chairs 0 33. A machine c prising mechanism for operating with respect to articles, and two conveyors, each during its travel, carrying said articles in positionfor said mechanism to operate with respect thereto. I g

34. A machine comprising mechanism f operating on articles, a first conveyor carrying said articles under the operating mechanism, a second conveyor, means for transferring said articles from said first conveyor to said second conveyor, said second conveyorcarrying the articies under said operating mechanism a second time, and. presenting said articles in a diiierent position from that in which the first conveyor presented them.

35. A machine comprising mechanism for operating on articles, a first conveyor for said articles under the operating mechanism, a second conveyor, means for transferring said articles from said first conveyor to said second conveyor, said second conveyor carrying the articles under said operating mechanism a second time.

' 36. A container closing machine, comprising means foroiosing the ends of containers, a first conveyor for carrying the containers under the closing mechanism, and presenting one end of the containers for closing, a second conveyor and means for transferring the containers from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, said second conveyorcarrying the containers under the closing mechav nism in position to close the other end of the container.

37. A machine for closing both ends of a container, comprising closing mechanism,

a conveyor for carrying the container past said closing mechanism for closing one on of said container, and a second conveyor for again carrying said container past said closing mechanism, for closing the other end of the container. a 38. In a carton sealing machine, an end flap folding mechanism comprising means for movingthe cartons, and a rotary-memher disposed adjacent said moving means and having formed thereon a hook portion which is adapted to engage an end flap from behind and fold, it down in the direction of movement of the carton and under the other endflap.

39. In a machine of the character described, an end flap folding mechanism com ,prisin a rotary member having an arcshape hook portion, and means for moving a container so that a front end flap first engages the face of said hook portion and'is folded down and thereafter a point of lsaid hook portion engages the rear end flap and folds it down.

40. In a carton sealing machine, an end flap folding mechanism comprising means for moving the cartons, and a revoluble member disposed adjacent said moving means and comprising means for folding down a forward end flap and a rear end flap, that flap which is folded down in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the carton being finally disposed on top of the other flap. v

y 41. In a machine of the character described, an end flapfolding mechanism comprising a rotary member having an arcshaped hook portion, and means for moving a container so that a front end flap first engages the face of said hook portion and is folded down and thereafter a point of said hook portion engages the rear end flap and folds it down, said hook portion being so positioned that said front end flap springs up after it has been initially folded and allows the rear end flap to be placed there under, and additional means for again folding said front end flap down and on top of said rear flap.

42. In a machine for folding the side flaps of cartons, a rotary side flap folder having its axis transverse to the container and provided with an edge to fold said flaps, said folder having a hollow unobstructed interior to receive said flaps priorto their engagement by said foldin edge.

' 43. In a machine or folding the side flaps of cartons, a hollow cylindrical roller interposed in the path of said flaps, said roller having a cutaway portion and said portion terminating in a transverse operating edge, means for so advancing the cartons that said flaps are entered within said hollow cylinder, and means for rotating said cylinder to cause said operating edge thereafter to engage said flaps and fold them down.

44. In a machine for folding the side flaps of cartons, a conveyor for the cartons, and a roller side-flap fold-er extending transversely to the carton path and in line with the said side flaps, said roller being hollow and having a cutaway portion forming an arcual edge to engage and fold inwardly the said side flaps after they have advanced into the interior of the roller. v

45. In a machine for folding the side flaps of cartons, a hollow cylindrical roller interposed in the pathof said flaps, said roller having a cutaway, portion, said portion terminating in a transverse operating edge,

means for so advancingthe cartons'that said flaps are entered within said hollow, cylinder'to a point beyond the axisof said 'cylinder, and means for rotating said cylinder to cause said operating edge thereafter to substantially perpendicularly engage the edges iaaaoee of the flaps and at a point intermediate the ends of said edges to fold said flaps down.

46. In a machine of the character described, a hollow rotary member f r folding the upstanding side flaps of a container placed in operative relation therewith, comprising a substantially cylindrical member having a cutaway portion, said portion terminating in a transverse operating edge, and means for relatively moving said container and saidrotary means so that the flaps substantially perpendicularly encounter said cutaway portion as said means rotates and said transverse edge engages the outer side of said flaps and folds the same.

47. In a machine of the character described,.a rotary means for folding the side flaps of a container placed in operative relation with said means comprising a camlike member having a cutaway portion and a face portion, and means for moving said container relatively to said means whereby the flap is folded by substantially perpendicular engagement of the cutaway portion with the edge of the flap and thereafter pressed by the face portion of said member.

48. In a machine of thecharacter described, a unitary, continuously rotating side flap folder comprising a hollow substantially cylindrical member having a transverse edge for simultaneously engaging two oppositely-disposed side fiaps and folding them toward one another, means for thereafter pressing said flaps down together, and means timed to move said upstanding carton flaps into said hollow cylinder to a point beyond the axis thereof and into operative relation first with said engaging means and then into relation with said pressing means.

49. In a machine of the character described, a conveyor for cartons having side flaps, and a hollow roller folder for said flaps disposed transversely of the path of travel of said containers and in line with the flaps to be folded, said roller having a portion of its face cut away to form a folding edge to engage the flaps after they have been progressed, in an upstanding position, into the interior of said folder, and fold them down on the ends of the cartons, said folding edge being brought substantially perpendicularly down against the mid portion of the flap edge upon the initiation of the foldto be folded, said conveyor moving said cartons into operative relation with" said folder independently of'the latter, and said roller having a portion of its face cut away to form a folding edge to engage the outer sides of the flaps and fold them down on the ends of the cartons,the folded flaps besage Way and into the ing then held down by the surface of the roller, and means for operating the roller at the same surface speed as the containers.

51. In. a machine of the character described having a passageway for containers with side flaps to be folded and having a conveyor for carrying said containers along said passage, a roller folder for each side flap extending transversely of the said pasath of the flapsto be folded byit, said rol er having a portion of its surface cut awayvto form a folding edge to engage and fold the said flaps after the latter have passed the circumference of the roller, the surface of the roller then rolling upon the folded flaps for the remainder of the paxage of the containers thereunder, said'containers being fed through said-passage independently of said roller folder.

52. In a machine of the character described, a bed frame, a plurality of tracks mounted thereupon, article conveying means associated with said tracks whereby articles are received in separate zones and thereafb ercarried through an operatingzone common to said-plurality of tracks, and a superstructure frame mounted on said first frame and carrying means to operate on the tops of said articles while in said operating zone.

53. In a machine of the character described, a bed frame, a plurality of horizontally disposed and substantially ellipticaltracks mounted on said bed, said tracks having a section in common extcndin longitudinally along the center of said he a superstructure frame for supporting devices adapted to operate on'articles carried along said common portion of the tracks, end flap folding mechanism, side flap gluin means, and side'fiap folding mechanism, al of said last named mechanimn being mounted on said superstructure. I

=54. In a machine of the character described, a bed frame, a plurality of horizontally disposed and substantially elliptical tracks mounted on said bed, endless conveying mechanisms having article carriers associated therewith and adapted to transverse said tracks, said tracks having a section in common extending longitudinally along the center of said bed, whereby all the article carriers pass down the center of said machine, a superstructure frame for supporting devices adapted to operate on articles carried along said common portion of the tracks, end flap folding mechanism, side flap spreading mechanism, side flap gluing means, and side flap folding mechanism, all of said lastnamed mechanisms being mounted on said superstructure, and a common driving'means having connections to operate said conveyors and all of said article-treating devices.

55. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a pair of horizontal endveyors for empty cartons, carton carriers on the other conveyor for filled cartons, the said blocks and carriers, traveling substantially the same path through the center of the machine, flap folding, gluing and pressing means, located along said central path and supported above the same, to fold, glue and seal the end flaps of both the empty and filled cartons as they pass therethrough, and driving devices and connections on said frame to actuate the said conveyors and operating means.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses:

J. H. ANDREWS, H. BONSTEDT.

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