US2068241A - Carton closing device - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 19, 1937. B. 1.. MAXW ELL CARTON CLOSING DEVICE z Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Dec. 15, 1934 TTORNEY Jan. 19, 1937'. B. L. MAXWELL CARTON CLOSING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATI'ORNEYS Jan. 19, 1937. B MAXWELL 2,068,241 7 CARTON CLOSING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1954 s Sheets Sheet s 7 lim- Patented Jan. 19, 1937 PATENT O CARTON CLOSING DEVICE Bernard L. Maxwell, Reading, Mass, assignor to Lever Brothers Company, a corporation of 4 Maine Application December 15, 1934, Serial No. 757,633

15 Claims.

This invention relates to packaging apparatus and particularly to apparatus for closing and sealing cartons.

In merchandising packaged bulky products, such as soap flakes or powders, it has been found that the cartons often reach consumers with the level of the contents noticeably below the top or the carton, sometimes to the extent of a half inch or more,although the cartons were filled to the top before sealing at the factory. This is objectionable and disadvantageous from a sales viewpoint inasmuch ascustomers on noting that the level of the contents is below the top of the carton may come to the conclusion that they have been given short measure whereas the discrepancy between the capacity of the carton and the quantity of material therein is actually a result of the shrinkage in the volume of the contents due to natural settling thereof after packaging or because of considerable jarring of the cartons while in transit.

To correct this undesirable condition it has been proposed to place a greater quantity of material in the package by heaping it above the top and mechanically compressing the contents to the top edge of the carton by means of a plunger before closing and sealing the flaps. However, this procedure has not been entirely successful since the compression of such products as soap flakes by a mechanical plunger often results in breaking the flakes and removing the crinkle therefrom so that the product does not reach the consumer in its natural condition. Moreover, undesirable shrinkage in the volume of the contents; as mentioned above, is still found to take place due, in part, to the fact that when a plunger is used it may in certain cases enter about two'thirds of the way into the carton, thereby compressing and breaking up the contents in the lower third of the carton. When the plunger is extracted it draws with it from the lower third of the carton into the upper two thirds of the carton some of the product, thereby creating a condition 'in which the specific gravity of the product in the lower third of the carton differs materially from that in the upper two thirds.

- On subsequent handling of the carton before it reaches the consumer the tendency of the lighter product in the upper two thirds of the carton is to settle in more compact form, thus having an empty space at the top of the carton. I

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages by filling the cartons, with the end and side flaps extending vertically from the top of the carton, to

a level between the upstanding flaps and then closing the flaps to seal the carton thus putting the material under pressure without diminishing its resiliency. As a result when the package is opened it will tend to expand again to above the package level.

A second object is to provide new and improved apparatus which is simple in construction and reliable in operation for folding the end flaps of a carton inwardly to close them.

A third object is to provide apparatus for folding both end flaps simultaneously. I

Another object is to press the quantity of material between the upstanding flaps into the body of the carton by means of the end flaps as they are folded inwardly.

A further object is to maintain the contents of the carton under compression by holding the end flaps in their closed positions until the side flaps of the carton have been scaled thereover.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following description and appended claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. in which:

Figure 1 is a sideelevation, partly in section,

of that portion of the carton closing apparatus embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of shown in Figure 1;

Figures 3 to 7 are perspective views showing a carton at various stages in the closing operation;

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 and shows the end-flap closing apparatus;

Flgure9 is a top plan view corresponding to Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional view similar to Figure}; but illustrating the apparatus in another position; and

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along the line llll in-Figure 10.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral l0 designates a continuously driven conveyor belt for carrying empty cartons to and filled cartons away from a filling station (not shown) where they receive a measured quantity of soap flakes or similarly bulky material. Each carton ll reaches thefllling station with the bottom sealed and the end and side flaps l2, l3 and I4, I5, respectively, at the top thereof exthe apparatus tending vertically upwardly from the sides so that the carton may receive a quantity of soap flakes filling it to a level between the upstanding flaps and above the score lines I 6 about which these flaps are turned inwardly and downwardly to close and seal the carton, as illustrated in Fi 3.

Guides l1, spaced at a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the cartons, extend along and above belt I0 and near their forward ends are inclined across the belt for directing the cartons laterally thereof to be advanced beyond guides I! to a position in front of a reciprocatory offset-feed device. moves the cartons in succession from belt i0 and delivers them to apparatus, designated as a whole by the numeral 39, which is provided for closing the end flaps I2, I 3 and which is disposed in offset relation to the conveyor belt, as shown in Fig. 2.

The forward movement of-each carton II by belt in is stopped by bars l8, l9 positioned to engage the forward end of each carton near the top and bottom thereof. Bars l8, It also serve to guide the cartons in their subsequent lateral movement by the offset-feed device which. is disposed to reciprocate transversely of and above the conveyor belt. The offset-feed device comprises a member 20 fixed to a reciprocatory rod 2| and carrying a pusher plate 22 for moving a carton H off belt Ill onto a platform 23 located .beneath the end flap closing apparatus 39 with the rear side face of the carton contacting a guide bar 24. Plate 22 has an angular extension -25 for closing the exit at the forward end of guides H to temporarily stop the advance of the following cartons, belt I0 slipping beneath the cartons whose forward movement therewith is thus inhibited.

The reciprocation of rod 2| is effected and controlled by acam 26 on a cam shaft 21 through a mechanism shown in Figure 2 and hereinafter described, adapted to convert the rotary movement of shaft 21 into a reciprocatory movement for rod 2| and the onset-feed plate 22 actuated thereby. The offset-feed cam 26 does not effect continuous reciprocations of the oilset-feed device but operates the latter only when the cam is tripped by a trigger 30. Trigger 30 extends adjacent bars I8, I 9 and has one end positioned in the path of movement of a carton as it is advanced from guides I! by belt Ill so that when a carton becomes positioned in front of onset-feed plate 22, trigger 30 is actuated by the carton to cause tripping of the mechanism actuated by cam 26 for effecting operationof the oifset-feed device to transfer the carton to platform 23.

The trigger 30 is pivotally mounted on the framework of the apparatus and has a pawl 30a connected thereto spring biased in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2. Adjacent the pawl 30;: is a pivotally mounted member 3 la having a notch 32a normally engaging the pawl 30a. The member lla also has a lever 33a attached thereto and movable therewith. Also mounted on the pivotal support for member 3| a is a lever 34a having a notch 34b therein movable with respect to member 3 la and attached through link 35a. to cam 28, whereby rotation of cam 26 oscillates the lever 34a. The member 3|a also carries pivotally mounted pawl 36a, which is biased in a clockwise direction by spring 31a tending to engage the end of pawl 36a in the notch 34b of lever 34a. Pawl 36a has an outwardly extending arm libwhich engages fixed pin 38:: on the framework when the pusher plate 22 is retracted. The framework of the apparatus is provided with a bore 39a containing a springpressed plunger 40a acting asa shock absorbin The offset-feed device remeans and also urging the member 3 la in a clockwise direction. The lever 33a is connected by link 4m to the pusher rod 2|. When a carton strikes the trigger 30, it is displaced, also moving pawl 30a out of notch 32a thereby permitting member 3la to rotate counterclockwise under the pressure exerted by plunger 40a, moving arm 36b out of engagement with pin 38a and swinging pawl 36a into the path of oscillating lever 34a where pawl 36a will engage notch 34b latching lever 34a to member 3| a. Movement of lever 34a in a counterclockwise direction will rotate member 3la and lever 33a in a counterclockwise direction advancing pusher plate 22. Return of lever 34a in a clockwise direction will also return the pusher plate and actuating mechanism to their original positions preparatory to being released by contact of another carton with trigger 30.

Cam 26 is formed with a cam slot or the like arranged to vary the rate of reciprocatory movement of pusher'plate 22 by rod 2|. In transferring a carton from belt 10 to platform 23 the plate 22 is initially moved at a sufliciently slow speed to obviate jarring of the carton in order to prevent spilling the soap flakes that fill the carton to a level near the top edges of the upstanding flaps. At the end of its inward stroke to transfer a carton, pusher-plate 22 remains in contact therewith for an interval while the end flaps l2, l3 are being closed and its angular extension 25 is positioned to prevent advance of other cartons by belt Ill. The return movement of pusher-plate 22 is at a more rapid rate to enable it to be positioned outwardly beyond guides I! in suflicient time to transfer the following carton to platform 23 without undue delay as the plate 25 moving beyond the guides l1 permits belt In to position another carton in front of the pusher-plate 22 of the offset-feed device. Although a particular carton feeding device has been shown and described in detail, it should be understood that other types of feeding devices may be employed to position the cartons in succession beneath the device 39 for closing the end flaps.

The device 39 for closing the end flaps l2, l3 of a carton on platform 23 comprises a pivoted plate 40 which is slightly less in width than the space between the side flaps l4, l5. Plate 40 is mounted on a hinge 4|, supported by an adjustable bracket 42 on the machine frame, so that the plate may be swung downwardly into contact with the end flap l2. A channel shaped member 43 comprising a plate 44 having side flanges 45 is carried by plate 4| for pivotal movement thereon in the direction opposite to the closing movement of plate 40. Plate 44 is adapted to engage the other end flap i3 and its width corresponds substantially to the space between the side flaps of a carton. The swinging movements of plates 40 and 44 are effected by means of a pitman rod 48 adJustably secured adjacent one end to a crank 41 fixed on a rock shaft 48 which is operated through a link rod 49 by a cam 50 on cam shaft 21.

Referring also to Figures 8-11, the bifurcated head of pitman rod 46 is connected by a wrist pin II to a lug on a slide 52 having edge portions extending beneath guides 53 secured to plate 4|! and projecting partially over a longitudinal recess formed inthe upper face thereof to provide a track for the slide. A stop 55 secured to the enlarged head-portion 56.0fplate 40 limits the rearward movement of slide 52. Pin 5i exfrom the end-flap closing apparatus 39.

tends at each side of the head of pitman rod 46 into bearings on portions 45a of the flanges 45 of member 43 that extend beyond the forward end of plate 44, as shown in Figs. 8 and 10, and which are disposed at each side of plate 46 for pivotally mounting member 43 on slide 52.

A link rod 66 provided with a cross head for connecting it between the flanges-45 of member 43 is adjustably secured to a link block 6I pivotally mounted on a stud 62 supported by bifurcations or lugs 63 extending rearwardly from the head-portion 56 of plate 46. Coil springs 64 bearing at their opposite ends on lugs 63 and link block 6| urge the latter counterclockwise to act in conjunction with springs 65, connected between the flange extensions 45a and spring anchors on a clamp 66 secured to pitman rod 46, for biasing the closer member 43 for the end flap I3 of a carton to the position'shown in Figs. 1 and 8. An adjustable stop 69 is provided on bracket 42 for engagement by rod 46 to limit the downward movement of the closing device.

As best shown in Figs. 9 and 11, rods I6 carrying flared guide. plates II for the side flaps of a carton are supported at their rearward ends in the head portion 56 of plate 46. -Rds I6 are supported in head 56 so that they extend forwardly along the sides of plate 46 in spaced relation thereto and to the flanges 45, 45a of member 43 to provide a slot or channel for receiving the side flaps I4, I of a carton positioned on platform 23 as plate 46 and member 43 swing downwardly against the top of the carton. A felt pad 12 having a width substantially corresponding to or slightly greater than the space between the side flaps is mounted on plate 46 by a retaining plate I3 secured to slide 52 forwardly of its connection to pitman rod- 46 and is adapted to engage the inner side faces of the side flaps.

A conveyor chain I5 guided around a sprocket I6 to travel forwardly in spaced relation to the rear side face of a carton on platform 23 is provided at intervals with members 11 extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to engage the rearward end of a carton to carry it forwardly The spacing of members 'I'I along chain I5 and the rate of operation of the latter are such that a member I1 does not necessarily engage a carton I I immediately after it has been laterally transferred to platform 23 from belt I6 by the offsetfeed device but may engage the carton to advance it after the end-flap closing operation has beenpartially completed. The operations of conveyor chain I5 and flap closing device 39 are properly coordinated by suitable mechanism operating closed thus retaining the flakes within the package.

Guide bars 18, I9 which may be integral angular extensions of the bars I8, I9 are adapted to engage the front side of the carton and together with the bar 24 engaging the rear'side of a carton guide it in its forward movement by chain I5.

A plate 86 of a width to fit closely between the side flaps I4, I5 is supported from bracket 42 and is vertically positioned to engage the closed end flaps I2, I3 as the carton is moved forwardly for maintaining them closed until one of the side flaps has been sealed thereover to hold them in closed position. The carton is moved forwardly with its bottom guided on a track 8| which in the arrangement shown supports platform 23 with its upper face flush with the guide face 62 of the track.

Bracket 42 also supports a pair of plates 83, one at each side of plate 66, provided with suitable camming portions 84 positioned for turning the side flaps I4, I5 downwardly and outwardly to a substantially horizontal position, as illustrated in Figure 5. Air under pressure is directed against the top of the cartons and side flaps I4, I5 through an apertured pipe 65, supported from bracket 42, for removing any soap flakes from the side flaps and top of the carton to prevent flakes getting mixed with adhesive that is applied to the longitudinal edges of the side flaps as they pass under adhesive applying rolls 86.

Beyond the rolls 86 are plates 81, 86 having camming faces adapted to turn the side flaps I4, I5, respectively, upwardly and slightly inwardly, as illustrated by the position of flap I5 in Figure 6, into position to be engaged by related series of inclined flap closing and sealing rollers 89, 96. The respective rollers of each series have their axes inclined at various angles approaching the horizontal across the path of movement of the top of the carton for turning the side flaps I4, I5 downwardly and pressing them against the end flaps to seal the carton.

The operation is as follows:

Conveyor belt I6 carries the cartons loosely fllled to a level near the top edges of the flaps, forwardly to position them in succession in front of the offset-feed device where the foremost carton is brought to rest by bars I6, I9 engaging its forward end. The carton engaging trigger 36 actuates the latter to trip cam 26 for effecting reciprocation of the offset-feed device. Pusher plate 22 of the offset-feed-device then engages the front side of the carton and moving inwardly, at a rate to obviate jarring the carton and spilling the soap flakes therefrom, transfers the foremost carton from belt I6 to platform 23 while plate 25 carried with the pusher plate closes the exit at the forward end of guides II to temporarily prevent forward movement of the following carton with belt I6.

Cam 56 then acts on rod 49 to turn rock shaft 48 clockwise moving pitman rod 46 downwardly to swing closng device 39 toward the top of the carton on platform 23. As the closing device is swung downwardly the flared plates 'II carried by the rods I6 engage the upstanding side flaps I4, I5 and guide them into the channels between rods I6 and the side flanges 45 of member 43, as illustrated in Figs. and 11, to hold them in vertical positions out of the way of plate 46 and member 43 carried thereby. As the lower end of pitman rod 46 moves downwardly and forwardly in a clockwise arc, slide 52 connecting the rod to plate 46 is drawn forwardly in its track 53, 54 on the latter pivoting plate 46 downwardly in a clockwise direction about its hinge 4I into engagement with the end flap I2 for turning the later inwardly and downwardly to close it. As

it to plate 46, it is caused to pivot counterclockwise, against the biasing action of springs 64 and 65, about its fulcrum 5| moving along plate 46 so that upon engaging the end flap I3 it turns the latter inwardly and downwardly to close it also.

The simultaneous pivoting movements of closer plate 48 and the closer plate 44 of member 43 in opposite directions as they are brought into contact with the end flaps I2, l3, respectively, turns both flaps inwardly and downwardly at the same time and causes the soap flakes located between the upstanding flaps to be pressed downwardly into the body of the carton and compressed by the end flaps l2, l3 as they are closed. The side flaps l4, l5 which are held vertically between rods I and the side flanges 45 of member 43 guide the soap flakes into the body of the carton and prevent their being forced or spilled over the sides. As shown in Fig. 8 plate 44 is provided with perforations permitting the escape of air that may be expressed as the flakes are compressed in the carton. As plates 40 and 44 swing downwardly in unison against the top of the carton the felt pad 12 engages the inner faces of the side flaps and thus occupying the space therebetween prevents flakes being expelled from the top of the carton, and as it is drawn forwardly with slide 52 it becomes positioned, Fig. 10, to wipe stray flakes off the side flaps as the latter bear against the felt when the carton is moved forwardly.

When the end flaps are partially closed the operation of conveyor chain 15 brings a member ll thereoninto contact with the rear end of the carton for advancing it from beneath closing device 39. Since the rods 18 extending forwardly along the sides of plate 40 are supported only at their rearward ends, in head portion 56, the carton may be moved forwardly without interference as the side flaps are free to move out of the channels between rods 10 and plate 40.

Pusher plate 22 of the offset-feed device is maintained positioned against the front side of the carton holding it against the guide bar 24 as flaps l2, l3 are closed. The offset-feed device is then operated by cam 28 to return pusher plate 22 quickly to its outer position for transferring another carton to platform 23 and plate 25 is moved outwardly therewith from across guides I! to permit belt Hi to position the following car ton in front of the ofiset-feed device.

As end flap I3 is moved from contact with plate 44 of member 48 it engages plate 40 which holds both flaps l2 and I3 closed and asthe carton is advanced from'beneath the closing device 38 the end flaps become engaged with the stationary plate 80 which fits closely between the side flaps and bears against the end fiaps to hold them in their closed positions.

Cam 58 acts through rod-49 tdturn rock shaft 48 counterclockwise swinging the flap closing device 39 upwardly. Springs 65 connected to the side flange extensions 45a and springs 84 acting through link block BI and rod 68 pivot closer member 43 clockwise as slide 52 is drawn rearwardly by the lower end of pitman rod 41.

Thus, both closer plates 48 and 43 are returned to the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 8 in preparation for closing the end flaps of the following carton.

As conveyor 15 advances the carton its side flaps l4, l engage the camming faces 84 of plates 83 so that they are turned outwardly and downwardly to horizontal'portions, Fig. 5, to pass beneath the rolls 88 to receive adhesive adjacent their side edges. Subsequently, flap I4 on engaging plate 81 is turned upwardly and slightly inwardly into position to pass beneath the inclined rollers 88 which turn the flap down and press it against the end flaps as the carton advances, as illustrated in Fig. 6. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, stationary plate 80 which fits over the end flaps to hold them closed extends forwardly far enough beneath rollers 89 tohold these flaps closed until they are sealed by flap l4. The plate 88 and rolls 90 turn flap I5 upwardly and then over the flap l4, as shown in Fig. '7, to complete the sealing of the carton.

Although a carton receives a quantity, for example, of loose soap flakes or other bulking material filling it to a level between the upstanding flaps this quantity need not exceed the usual weight of material which the carton is intended to contain inasmuch as the soap flakes are put in the carton in their natural crinkly and unbroken form and thus bulk to a volume sufficient to fill the carton as described. Due to the fact that the flakes are not crushed before closing the flaps by a plunger operating under heavy pressure but are gently pressed down without crushing into the carton by the end flaps as the latter are folded inwardly, they remain substantially in their natural unbroken state, and due to their relatively resilient nature tend to resume their original condition when the flaps are opened.

The compression of the flakes by the end flaps causes the carton to bulge slightly at the sides and because the flaps are held fully closed by plate 80 until a side flap has been sealed there,- over, the carton is fully closed and sealed in this condition. As a result, the usual settling of the flakes due to natural readjustments or to jarring of the cartons'in transit does not manifest itself as a shrinkage in volume of the contents to a level objectionably below the top of the carton but results in relieving the flakes to a degree from the compressing action of the flaps. In fact it has been found that cartons filled and sealed by apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention often reach the consumer with the flakes still under sufllcient compression so that when the flaps are opened the contents bulge slightly from the top of the carton with the result that the consumer receives the more favorable impression that the carton has been over-filled. Moreover, the contents of the carton are less subject to breakage due to abrasion of one particle with another and to shaking on handling because when the carton does not have an empty space at the top, but is full and its contents under pressure, the contents of the carton are less likely to move about.

} Although a specific embodiment of the inventionhas been described in detail, there are many changes and variations which may be made-without departing from the invention and, therefore, it is desired and intended to include all such changes and variations within the scope of the following "claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for closing flaps at opposite edges of the top of a carton comprising movable means operable to engage one flap for folding it inwardly to closed position; and means carried by said first means and movable relatively thereto and engageable with the opposite flap for folding it inwardly to closed position.

2. Apparatus for closing flaps at opposite edges of the top of a carton, comprising means operable to engage the flap at one end of the carton for folding it inwardly toclosed position; means carried by said first means and movable therealong for engaging the other end flap; and means associated with said second means for restrainthe end flaps in engagement therewith for hold-.

ing its movement along said first means 'to cause it to pivot thereon for folding the otherend flap inwardly.,

3. Apparatus for closing flaps at opposite edges of the top of a carton comprising flap-closing means movable about a stationary pivot for engaging the flap at one end of a carton to fold it inwardly; flap closing means movable about a shifting pivot to engage the opposite end flap to fold it inwardly; and means for operating said closing means in unison to fold both flaps inwardly simultaneously.

4. Apparatus for closing flaps at opposite edges of the top of a carton comprising flap closing means movable abouta stationary pivot for engaging the flap at one end of a carton to fold it inwardly; flap closing means movable about a shifting pivot on said first means to engage the opposite end flap; and means connected to said second flap closing means for restraining its movement along said first means to cause it to pivot thereon for engaging the other end flap to fold it inwardly 5. Apparatus for closingfiaps at opposite edges of the top of a carton comprising flap'closing meansmovable about a stationary pivot for engaging the flap at one endof a carton to fold it inwardly; a slide movable along said means towards the pivot thereof; and flap closing means pivoted on said slide for engaging the other end flap to fold it inwardly. 6. Apparatus for closing flaps at opposite edges of the top of a carton comprising flap closing means movable about a stationary pivot for engaging the flap at one end of a carton to fold it inwardly; a slide movable along said means towards the pivot thereof; flap closing means pivoted on said slide for engaging the other end flap to fold it inwardly; and operating means connected to said slide for pivoting said closing means in opposite directions for simultaneously folding.' the end flaps of a carton inwardly.

'7. Apparatus for closing the flaps at opposite end edges at the top of a carton filled with loose bulky material to a level between the upwardly extending end and side flaps thereof comprising a pair of oppositely movable members each engageable with one of the end flaps; means for simultaneously moving said members toward the top of the carton for engaging and folding the end flaps inwardly in unison to compress the material between the upstanding flaps into the body of the carton and to close the end flaps; and means for holding the flaps at opposite side edges of the carton in substantially vertical positions to prevent spilling the material from the top of the carton during the closing of the end flaps.

8. Apparatus for closing flaps at opposite end edges of the top of a carton filled with loose bulky material to a level between the upwardly extending end and side flaps thereof comprising a pair of oppositely movable members each engageable with one of the end flaps; means for simultaneously moving said members toward the top of the carton for engaging and folding the end flaps inwardly in unison to compress the material between the upstanding flaps into the body of the carton and to close the end flaps; means for holding the'flaps at opposite side edges of the carton in substantially vertical positions to prevent spilling the material from the top of the carton during the closing of the end flaps; means for closing and sealing the side flaps in succession over the closed end flaps; and means fitting closely between the side flaps and extending over ing them in closed position until a side. flap is sealed thereover to complete sealing of thecarton with the material therein under compression.

9. A device for closing the flaps extending upwardly from opposite edges at the top of a carton comprising; a carton support; a flap closing plate pivotally mounted above said support and positioned to be swung downwardly aganst the top of a carton on said support; a slide mounted on said plate; operating means connected to said slide for moving it along said plate toward the pivot thereof for pivoting said plate downwardly into engagement with the flap at one edge of the carton to fold it inwardly to closed position; a second flap closing plate pivotally mounted on said slide; and means connected to said second closer plate for restraining its movement with:

said slide to cause it to pivot thereon in a direction opposite to the movement of said first plate into engagement with the flap at the opposite edge of said carton for folding it inwardly to closed position.

10. A device for closing flaps extending upwardly from opposite edges of the top of a carton comprising; 'a carton support; a flap closing plate pivotally mounted above said support and positioned to be swung downwardly against the top of a carton on said support; a slide mounted on said plate; operating means connected to said slide for moving it along said plate toward the pivot thereof for pivoting said plate downwardly into engagement with the flap at one edge of the carton to fold it inwardlytoclosed position; a second flap closing plate pivotally mounted on said slide; and means connecting said plates for restraining the movement of said second plate with said slide to cause it to pivot thereon in a direction opposite to the movement of said first plate into engagement with the flap at the opposite edge of said carton for folding it inwardly to closed position.

11. In a carton closing and sealing apparatus having means for applying adhesive to the flaps along the side edges at the top of a carton and means for folding said flaps inwardly in succession and sealing them over previously closed end flaps of the carton; means for closing the end flaps of the carton comprising a pair of oppositely movable members each engageable with one of the end flaps; means for simultaneously moving said members toward the top of the carton for engaging the end flaps and folding them inwardly in unison to closed position; means engaging the side flaps for holding them in substantially vertical positions during closing of the end flaps; and means fitting closely between the side flaps to completely overlie the end flaps in engagement therewith and extending from the end flap closing means beyond the adhesive applying means to said side flap closing means for holding the endflaps in closed position until a side flap is sealed thereoverl 12. A device for closing flaps of a carton having the flaps at its endand side edges extending upwardly from the top thereof comprising a carton support; a closer plate pivotally mounted above said support and positioned to be swung downwardly between the upstanding side flaps of a carton on said supportinto engagement with one end flap of the carton for foldingit inwardly to closed position; a slide mounted on said plate;

a second closer plate pivotally mounted on said slide; operating means for said closer plates; means for restraining the movement of said second closer plate with said slide to cause it to pivot thereon to engage the other end flap of the carton and fold it inwardly to closer position, a carton when positioned on said support containing material filling it to a level between the upstanding end and side flaps thereof and the closing of said end flaps by said plates pressing said material into the carton; and means extending along said first closer plate and disposed in spaced relation to each side edge thereof for holding the side flaps of the carton positioned to prevent spilling of material fromthe sides of a carton during closing of the end flaps. 4

13. A device for closing flaps of a carton having the flaps at its end and side edges extending upwardly from the top thereof comprising a carton support; a closer plate pivotally mounted above said support and positioned to be swung downwardly into engagement with one end flap of thecarton for folding it inwardly to closed.

position; a slide mounted on said plate; a second closer plate pivotally mounted on said slide; means for restraining the movement of said second closer plate with said slide to cause it to pivot thereon to engage the other end flap of the carton and fold it inwardly to closed position; operating means for said closer plates; and spaced means extending along opposite side edges of said plates for engaging opposite faces of the side flaps of a carton to hold them positioned out of the path of movement of said plates in closing the end flaps.

14. A device for closing flaps of a carton having the flaps at its end and side edges extending upwardly from the top thereof comprising a carton support; a closer plate pivotally mounted above said support and positioned to be swung downwardly into engagement with one end flap thereof for folding it inwardly to closed position; a second closer plate pivotally mounted to engage the opposed end flap of the carton and fold it inwardly to closed position; operating means for said closer plates; flanges on opposite side edges of said second closer plate, a pair of rods, each supported at one end thereof by said first closer plate and extending therealong in spaced relation to said flanges for forming channels to receive the side flaps of a carton; and guiding means carried by said rods for directing the side flaps of a carton into said channels when said closer plates are swung downwardly to close the end flaps.

15. Apparatus for closing the flaps at opposite end edges at the top of a carton filled with loose bulky material to a level between the upwardly extending end and side flaps thereof comprising a pair of oppositely movable members each engageable with one of the end flaps; means for simultaneously moving said members toward the top of the carton for engaging and folding the end flaps inwardly in unison to compress the material between the upstanding flaps into the body of the carton and to close the end flaps; means for holding the flaps at opposite side edges of the carton in substantially vertical positions to prevent spilling the material from the top of the carton during the closing of the end flaps; means for applying adhesive to the side flaps to seal the carton when the side flaps are folded over the end flaps; and an air jet intermediate said end flaps closing means and said adhesive

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