US2203901A - Apparatus for sealing cartons - Google Patents

Description

June 11, 1940. F. N. TODD ET AL RPPARATUS FQR SEALING CARTDNS Filed Aug. 1, 1959 4 SheetsSheet 1,

INVENTORS FRANM NTMD. BY KENNETH W- EMER N fig a L TTORNEY June 11, 1940. FQN. "room EI'AL 2,203,901

APPARATUS FOR SEALING canons Filed Au 1, i959 V 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Trmnus NYTWD KENNETH v. EMERSON "WNW- June 11,1940. P NQToDdEEr AL 2,203,901

APPARATUS FOR SEALING CARTONS F led Ah i, 1959 I 4 sheets-sheet s L 0 INVENTORS KEN ETH W EMERfioU ATTORNEY Ju e 11, 1940.- 5N. TODD Ea- AL 2,203,901 APPARMPUS FOR SEAL ING CARTONS @1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 1

INVENTORS Truucls N Tabb BY KENNETH w Emzxsm Patented June 11 .1940

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR SEALING CARTONS Territory of Hawaii Application August 1, 1939, Serial No. 287,783

20 Claims.

The present invention relates to the closing and sealing of cartons, and more particularly to apparatus for inserting and securing filler strips in the carton.

The conventional fibreboard carton employed for packing canned goods and the like is rectangular in shape having side and end hinged flaps forming the top and bottom. The combined width of the side flaps is substantially equal to the width of the carton but to avoid waste of carton material, the end flaps are generally made shorter than the length of the carton and leave a considerable gap between their ends when closed. The result is an uneven surface at top and bottom of the carton, usually the inner surface, as the side flaps are generally sealed over the end flaps for reasons of appearance and because the spaced end flaps would be apt to catch and tear open during shipment if on the outside of the carton,

This uneven inner surface at top and bottom of the packed cartons is a cause of considerable damage to the contents during shipment, particularly in the case of such articles as canned 25 goods, bottles and the like. In the case of canned goods, for example, the cans 'in the vertical central layers are, due to the gap at the bottom of the carton, offset below adjacent layers and are capableof greater vertical shifting because of the increased depth of the carton at the central gaps. As a result, the cans in these layers are liable to interlock their end rims or chines, and dent each other and scuff their labels when the carton is subjected to rough handling. For similar reasons, like damage and even breakage is apt to result with bottles and other fragile containers.

To remedy this difficulty, it has heretofore been proposed to provide the carton blank, prior to folding, with tabs secured to a surface at the portions intended to constitute the inner surface of the side flaps, in position to lie within the gaps between the end flaps when the carton is 45 folded. While cartons formed from such blanks are generally satisfactory as regards a smooth inner surface at top and bottom for level riding of the contents, the expenseof securing the tabs properly to the blanks is great, requiring special 50 treatment and a time-consuming hand operation or complicated expensive machinery so that the cost of the blank is increased substantially more than the cost of the tab material added. A further substantial disadvantage of this method is .55 that the thickness of the blanks is doubled so that the space required for shipment and storage is likewise doubled.

Cartons are generally packed with both the top and bottom flaps in unsealed condition and are then transferred to a machine which simulta- 5 neously seals both the top and bottom of the carton. In the usual carton sealing machine, the packed carton is advanced along a slide on its bottom end flaps, and means disposed at the sides of the slide successively open the side flaps, apply 10 adhesive to their under surface and foldthem back over theend flaps in position to be permanently sealed thereto by subsequent pressure applying mechanism.

In an application of Harry S. Fox and Kenneth 15 W. Emerson, Serial Number 287,776, filed simultaneously herewith, there is disclosed means for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the end flaps at the top of the packed carton as it is advancing from the flap opening to the flap closing means of a sealing machine of the type just referred to. It is an object of the present invention to provide means for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the end flaps at the bottom of a packed carton while it is advancing through such a sealing machine, so that, by use of the means of the present application in conjunction with that of the said application Serial Number 287,776, the gaps may be filled and the flaps sealed at both the top and the bottom of the carton on a single passage of the carton through the machine and without increasing the time required for the sealing operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing more particular description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a part of a carton sealing machine embodying filler strip feeding and inserting means of the invention, with the parts for sealing the top-flaps broken away;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the part of the machine between the lines A-A of Fig. 1;

Fig.3 is an enlarged plan view of part of the machine between the lines A-A of Fig. l, with parts broken away to show the tab feeding and inserting mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a detail view, partly in elevation, partly in section, of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

Referring first to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the machine has an elongated main frame structure l00 which supports a central slide llll along herein) being shown and described in United States Patent No. 2,095,258 dated October 12, 1937.

The cartons are advanced along the slide into I the path of a pair of front plows I secured to a cross shaft I06 at opposite sides of the slide, these plows entering between the downwardly extending bottom side flaps and raising them to substantially horizontal position between rearward horizontal flange extensions of the plows and top plates I01. As the cartons are advanced beyond the front plows I05 thebottom side flaps are carried in horizontal position over gluing rollers I08 secured to a cross shaft I09 and fed by glue tanks IIO, said rollers I08 applying a. coating of glue to the under or inner surface of said flaps. As the carton approaches the rear end of the slide IOI, the bottom side flaps encounter a pair of rear plows I I I which turn them back under the slide to partially closed position. On further advancement, the cartons pass off the rear end of the slide IOI onto a second slide or conveyer. (not shown) on which they rest on their bottom side flaps which, under the weight of the carton, or further pressure applied thereto, acts to. seal the bottom side flaps to the bottom end flaps.

The case sealing apparatus so far described is substantially sim'ilar'to that shown and described in the aforementioned Patent No. 2,095,258 to which reference may be had to supplement the foregoing description. Reference may also be had to said patent for illustration and description of means for sealing the top flaps of the carton as its bottom flaps are being sealed by the means above described, and to the aforesaid application Serial Number 287,776 for illustration and description of means for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the upper end flaps of the carton as it is advanced through the machine.

According to the present invention there is attached to the apparatus so far described means for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the bottom end flaps of a carton as it is advanced along the slide IOI toward the flap closing means, preferably, as shown, subsequent to the flap opening plows. Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be seen that there is interposed in the slide IOI a transverse slot or aperture I0 somewhat longer and wider than a filler strip to be inserted, and preferably, as shown, extending entirely across the slide. Centrally of the slide IM to the rear of the transverseslot I0 is a longitudinal slot II communicating with the slot I0.

To the frame I00, below the slot II there is bolted a standard I2 (see .Fig. 4) having upwardly projecting side arms I3 to which are fixed the opposite ends of a pivot pin II. Pivotally mounted on the pin II by means of a sleeve I5 to lie within the communicating slots I0 and II is a generally T-shaped plate I6, having a raised substantially flatforward end forming a platform II disposed in the 'slot. -I0. and a raised rearward end forming a cam I8 adjacent the-rear end of the slot II (see Fig. 5). The weight'of the portion of the plate forwardly of the pivot center is somewhat greater than that at the rear of the pivot line, so that normally the plate assumes a tilted' position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, against a suitable stop (not shown), with the platform H at least,a filler strip's depth below the surface of the slide IOI, and the cam I8- above it. The top surface of the platform I1 and the cam I8 are disposed substantially in a single plane so that when theplate is pivoted to horizontal position shown in full lines in Fig. 5 these surfaces are substantially flush with the surface of the slide IOI. The distance between the rear edge of the platform I! and the front edge of the cam I8 is approximately equal to that between the front end of a carton and the adjacent edge of the gap between its bottom end flaps.

From the foregoing it will be evident that as the carton A is advanced along the slide IOI over the slot I0 and slot II, its front end strikes the cam I8, depressing the cam I8 and raising the platform I! to the horizontal position shown in full lines in Fig. 5, with their top surfaces substantially flush with the top surface of the slide IOI. It will further be evident that, due to the identity of the distance of the platform H from the cam I8 and the distance of the gap G from the front of the carton, the platform I1 will rise to its upper, position at the moment the gap G is registered over the slot I'0 in the slide IOI. If, therefore, as shown in Fig. 5, a filler strip F is positioned on the platform I I in registry with the slot I0 in advance of ther engagement of an advancing carton with the cam I8, it will be projected upwardly through the slot I0 into the gap G of the carton with its bottom surface substantially flush with the bottom surface of the end flaps E on engagement of the front end of the carton with the cam I8. In this position the filler strip F is engaged by the edge of the rear end flap E and pushed on the platform I! onto the slide IOI along which it rides with the carton to the flap sealing mechanism, being held in the gap by the weight of the contents of the carton resting on it and the said rear bottom end flap E.

On the frame I00 at one side of the platform I1 there is mounted a horizontal slide I9 having an end adjacent the platform I'I. Extending longitudinally through the slide I9 is a slot 20 in approximate alignment with the longitudinal center line of the platform I'l. Mounted on the slide I9 is a magazine 2| adapted to hold a stock of filler strips F centered over the slot 20 in endwise relation to the platform I'I. As best shown in Fig. 2, magazine, 2I comprises an end plate 22 fixed to the slide I9 intermediate its ends transversely over. the slot 20, and side plates 23 secured to said end plate' 22 and slide I9 in parallel relation with the slot 20 and at equal distances at each side thereof. To accommodate stacks of filler strips of different widths, the plates 23 are adjustable toward and away from the slot 20. To this end, the slide I9 is provided with a series of grooves 24 at equal intervals from the slot 20 adapted to receive the bottom edge of one of the ably lock the plates against accidentally sliding away from theplate 22 and displacing the pins 26 from the apertures 25. j

When it is desired to shift the position of the plates 23, theplungers 21 are raised by their handle 'portions 2l' and the plates are then slid outwardly along the grooves 24 until the pins are released from the apertures 25, the plates then i being free for reengagement with anotherset of grooves 24 and apertures 25. Handles 23" are fixed to the outer surface of the plates23 to facilitate adjustment.

Extending through the slot 20 is an endless sprocket chain 30, extending over an idler sprocket wheel 3| mounted ona horizontalaxls below and between the adjacent endsof the slide 19 and the platform ILfand a driven sprocket wheel 32 mounted on a horizontal axis below the opposite end of the slide 19 (see Figs; 3 and14). As shown in Fig. 3, sprocketwheel 3| is rotatable on a stub shaft 33 fixed toa bracket arm 34 bolted to an adjustable bracket 34a which bracket forms a part of the support forfguide rail I02. On the shaft 33 between the hub of the sprocket wheel 3| and the bracket arm 34 thereis pivotally mounted a collar 35to which is fixed a bracket arm 36 having at the oppositeend a collar 31 in which is rotatably mounted driven shaft 38 on one end of which is fixedly mounted the sprocket wheel 32. e

To the opposite end of the drivenshaft38 there is secured, by means of a universal joint 39; one end of an adjustable link 40, the other end of which is connected, by a second universal joint 4|, with an end of a stub shaft 42 rotatably mounted in a standard 43fixed on'a flange 44 bolted to the frame I00 forwardly of the sprocket wheel 32. A bevel gear fixed tothe studshaft '42 is driven by meshing bevel gear 43 fixed to a stub shaft 48,'the shaft being continuously'driven by means of drivingconnections (not shown) to a convenient drivenelement of the sealing mafrom. When the sprocket wheel 32 is in itstnor mal lowered position, chain 30 is sufficiently belo wtthe top of slot 20 so that theupper end of pin 50 is also below the top of slot 20 and passes freely under the bottom filler strip in the magazine 2|. However, when the sprocket wheel 32 isiraised. as shown in Fig. 4, pin II is raised above the top of slot 20 and engages the outer end of the bottom filler strip F of thestack in the magazine, pushing it through a suitable opening 22 in the base of end plate 22 of magazine 2| (see Fig. 2) along slide 19 over slot 20 and onto platform I! where pin 50 drops below the l end of the filler strip, passing downwardlypover of platform I1.

sprocket wheel 3lthrough a slot 20' in the end The filler strip is then raised intothe gap G of an advancing carton by engagement of the front end of thexcarton with the cam l8, as previously described,

Inorder that a filler striplmaybe thus fed onto side of the advancing carton.

the platform II in each interval between passage of the rear-end of Conecartonover the cam: II

and the arrival of the" front end lot the next succeeding carton over the slot 1 I while I the plat;-

form ll is r in: lowered position; means are pron vided" to govern the raising and lowering of the sprocket wheel 32accordingtothe position of these cartons on. the-slide.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and'5, it will lbetseen:

that bracket arm 36 which, as previouslydethe sprocketwheel 32," restsuupon" an end ofqa scribed, is pivotedon shaft 33toraise and lower" bolted to frame I 00 onwhich" itiis slidable between vertically projecting guide pins 53. Ontheienclof said arm- 5| is araised portionsor camilhav- 58 slidable in a slot-59in the end of anarmlil' fixed to a vertical stub shaft 6| rotatably mounted on the frame lllfl acljacent one of the sprocket chains I04. A second arm 82;isvfixed to the op- .posite side of the shaft BI and projects over the slide Hll into thepath of thecartons. Alcoil spring 63 secured .atxone end to the-shaft BI and. at the other end to adjacent frame structure tends to turn the shaft andarmsifland 62 to the dotted linepositions of Fig. 3. l

As a-carton travels-along the-slide IM in the direction of the arrow in Figs. 3 and 5, its front :end encounters. arm '62 in the dotted line position of Fig. 3 and pushes it outto the full line position of Fig. 3 where its outer end rides along 'the turned to itsfull line position, armflwis' also turned from its dotted lineto its full line-position drawing the camaarm 5V to the llft'l as viewed in Figs. 3.and 5:raising-bracket arm 33,

by means of cam 54; whichninturn raises shaft" 38and sprocket-wheel 32, by means of collar 31,

for engagement of continuously traveling pusher pin 50 with the bottom filler strip of i the stack in magazine 2|. Pusherpin 5|! thereupon ejects the bottom filler strip onto platform IT in position for insertionin the bottom gap of theadvancing carton in the manner previously de- Toavoid'ejection of moreuthan one flllerstrip at a single actuation of the cam: arm 5f, the drive to sprocket wheel 32 is' so:,timedthat sprocket chain 30 makes approximately one complete revolution about the sprockets 3| and 32 during the interval when the bracket arm33 is in raised. position which; in turn, isu'approxlspring 63 and retractingtcam arm 5|= to lower bracket arm 36 and sprocket wheel 32. The drive: of sprocket 32 is also so timed that chain 30" makes a certain number of complete revolutions while conveyer chains 104 areadvanced the distance between successive pusher bars 103 along slide it, so that pusher pin 50 is always just appreaching the rear end of the bottom flllerstrip of the stackwhen sprocket wheel ll is raiseda As indicated in the arm 62 is so spaced surface of said outer flaps, means to fold said from the slotlfl along the slide l0| that it is brought tofull-line position by the advancing carton A at approximately the time the rear end of the'receding carton A passes over the cam l8 to release the platform I! to its lowered position in which it receives a filler strip from the pin 50 and holds it below the bottom of the advancing carton until the cam I8 is again actuated.

35S shown'in Fig. 4, a bracket arm 64 is attached to framewlllfl just in advance of the slide I9 and supports-an idler roller 65 in position'to engage the side Yfiap S of an advancing carton and raise it "sufficiently to clear the filler strip feeding mechanism.

-""It will be understood-that the invention is not-limited tothe specific form of sealing'machine shown but may be employed in conjunctio'n with any slide along which the cartons are conveyed resting on their bottom end flaps with their bottom side'flaps held open. It will also be understood i that the invention is not limited to the form and arrangementof parts shown and that'changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. In apparatus for sealing cartons by securing outer flaps overunmeeting inner flaps, a slide, means foradvancing a carton along said slide with an unmeeting pair of said flaps resting on said slide',a slot in the slide adapted to register withthe gap between-the ends of said unmeeting inner flaps on passage of .thecarton thereby, and means operative on registry .of said gap with "saidslot' to insert a filler strip into said gap through said slot.

2.- In apparatus for sealing cartons by securing together overlapping pairs of side and end flaps,

a slide, means for advancing a carton along said slide resting on an unmeeting pair of said flaps,

'aslot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between the ends of said unmeeting flaps on passage of the cartonthereover, means to raise a" filler strip through saidslot into said gap on arrival of the carton thereover, and means to secure said overlapping pair of flaps to said filler strip lying in said gap.

3. In apparatus for sealing cartons by securing outer flaps over unmeeting inner flaps, a slide. means for advancing a carton along said slide resting on said unmeeting inner flaps with said outer flaps open, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between the ends of said unmeetinginner flaps on passage of the carton thereover, and means to raise a filler strip through said slot when said gap is registered thereover. a

4. In apparatus for sealing cartons by securing outer flaps over unmeeting inner flaps, a slide, means for advancing a carton along said slide resting on said unmeeting inner flaps with said outer flaps open, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between the ends of said unmeeting inner flaps on passage of the carton thereover, means to raise a filler strip through said slot into said gapon passage of the carton thereover, means to apply adhesive to the inner outer flaps toward closed position as the carton approaches the end of the slide, and means to seal said outer flaps to said inner flaps over said filler strip as said carton is advanced off said slide,

. 5. Apparatus for insertinga filler strip in the L gap between the ends of a'pair of unmeeting flaps of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between said flaps on passage of the carton thereover, and means operated in timed relation. with said carton advancing means to raise a filler strip through said slot to horizontal position above said slide on registry of said gap over said slot.

6. Apparatus for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the ends of a pair of unmeeting flaps of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between said flaps on passage of the carton thereover, means to position a filler strip below said slot, and means operated by the advancing carton to raise said filler strip through said slot to horizontal position above said slide on registry of said gap over said slot.

7. Apparatus for inserting a filler strip in the gap betweenthe ends of a pair of unmeeting flaps.

of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between said flaps on passage of the carton thereover, a platform under said slot adapted tobe raised therein to dispose its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of the slide, means to position a filler strip horizontally on said platform wh le in lowered position, and means to raise said platform to upper position when the carton is advanced to register said gap over said slot whereby to lift said filler strip into said gap.

8. Apparatus for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the ends of a pair of unmeeting flaps of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between said flaps on passage of the carton thereover, a platform under said slot adapted to be raised therein to dispose its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of the'slide, means to position a filler strip horizontally on said platform while'in lowered position; and means operated by the advancing carton to raise said platform to upper position when the carton is advanced to register said gap over said slot whereby to lift said filler strip into said gap.

9. Apparatus for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the ends of a pair of unmeeting flaps of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between said flaps on passage of the carton thereover, a platform under said slot adapted to be raised therein to dispose its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of the slide, a cam connected to said platform engageable' with the front of a carton advancing on said slide over said slot to raise said platform into said slot, and means to feed a filler strip onto said platform before engagement of the next succeeding carton with said cam.

10. Apparatus for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the ends of a pair of unmeeting flaps of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a platform pivotally mounted in said slide normally disposed with its forward end below the surface of the slide and its rearward end projecting above said surface in the naaoaeoi path of an approaching carton, said plate tiltable on engagement of a carton with said projecting rearward end to raise said forward end substantially flush with the surface of the slide, and means to feed a filler strip onto the forward end of said plate while the rearward end of the plate is out of contact with a carton.

11. Apparatus for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the ends of a pair of unmeeting flaps of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, aslot in the slide adapted to, register with the gap between said flaps on passage of the carton thereover, a tiltable platform having a forward end normally disposed belowsaid slot and a rearward end normally projecting above the upper surface of said slide rearwardly of the slot in the path of the advancing carton, said rearward end of said platform devancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between said flaps on passage of the carton thereover, a magazine for a supply of filler strips at one side of said slide, and

means operated in timed relation with said carton advancing means to transfer a filler strip from said magazine under said slide as the carton approaches the slot and to raise said filler strip through said slot on registry of said gap thereover.

13. Apparatus for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the ends of a pair of unmeeting flaps of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between said flaps on passage of the carton thereover, means controlled by a carton approaching said slot to transfer a filler strip to a horizontal position under said slot in registry therewith, and means operated by the advancing carton to raise said filler strip through said slot on registry of said gap therei over.

, the upper surface of thesli-de, a magazine for a 15. Apparatus for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the ends of a pair of unmeeting flaps of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between said flaps on passage of the carton thereover, a platform under said slot adapted to be raised therein to dispose its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of the slide, a magazine for a supply of filler strips at one side of said slide, means to transfer a filler strip from said magazine onto said platform in registry with said slot when said platform is in lowered position, and means operated by theadvancing carton to raise said platform to upper position when the gap is registered over said slot.

16. Apparatus for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the ends of a pair of unmeeting flaps of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between said flaps on passage of the carton thereover, a platform under said slot adapted to be raised therein to dispose its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of the slide, a magazine for a supply of filler strips at one side of said slide, a chute connecting a lower end of said magazine with the upper surface of said platform in lowered position, a passage for a filler strip through said end of the magazine, and means operative while said platform is in lowered position to eject a filler strip through said passage along said chut onto said platform.

17. Apparatus for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the ends of a pair of unmeeting flaps of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap betweensaid flaps on passage of the carton thereover, a platform under said slot adapted to be raised therein to dispose its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of the slide, a magazine for a supply of filler strips at one side of said slide having an end adjacent said platform, a passage for a filler strip through said end of the magstrip in said magazine to force it through said passage onto said platform in lowered position.

18. Apparatus for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the ends of a pair of unmeeting flaps of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between said flaps on passage of the carton thereover, a platform under said slot adapted to be raised therein to dispose its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of the slide, a magazine for a supply of filler strips at one side of said slide having an end adjacentsaid platform, a passage for a filler strip through said end of the magazine, an endless conveyer having a portion operating from the other end of the magazine to adjacent said platform, a pusher pin on said conveyer accessible to but normally clearing the bottom filler strip of the stack in the magazine,

1 and means to lift said pusher pin to engage said bottom filler strip whereby to push said strip onto said platform.

19. Apparatus for inserting a filler strip in the gap between the ends of a pair of unmeeting flaps of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between said flaps on passage of the carton thereover, a platform under said slot adapted to be raised therein to dispose its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of the slide, a magazine for a supply of filler strips at one side of said slide having an end adjacent said platform, a passage for a filler strip through said end of the magazine, an endless conveyer having a portion operating from the other end of the magazine to adjacent said platform, a pusher pin on said conveyer accessible to but normally clearing the bottom filler strip of the stack in the magazine, and means to shift the position of said conveyer to engage said pin with said bottom filler strip whereby to push said strip onto said platform.

20. Apparatus for inserting a. filler strip in the gap between the ends of a pair of unmeeting flaps of a carton, comprising a slide, means for advancing the carton along the slide resting on said unmeeting flaps, a slot in the slide adapted to register with the gap between said flaps on passage of the carton thereover, a platform under said slot adapted to be raised therein to dispose its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface-of the slide, a magazine for a supply of filler strips at one side of said slide having an and adjacent said platform, a passage for a filler strip through'said end of the maga zine, an endless conveyer having a portion operating from the other end of the magazine to adjacent said platform, a pusher pin on said conveyer accessible to but normally clearing the bottom filler strip of the stack in the magazine,

and means operated by an advancing carton to lift said pusher pin to engage said bottom filler strip whereby to push said strip onto said platform.

FRANCIS N. TODD. KENNETH W. EMERSON.

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