US2691260A - Machine for sealing cartons and the like - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 12, 1954 P. e. SCHLEMMER MACHINE FOR SEALING CARTONS AND THE LIKE 7 Sheeis-Sheet 1 Filed April 24, 1951 INVENTOR. PH/yP 6. SC: MME/Q A TTOR NE Y3 Oct. 12, 1954 p, SCHLEMMER 2,691,260

MACHINE FOR SEALING CARTONS AND THE LIKE A TTOR NE Y Oct. 12, 1954 P. G. SCHLEMMER MACHINE FOR SEALING CARTONS AND THE LIKE Filed April 24, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 A TTORNE Y5 Oct. 12, 1954 P. G. SCHLEMMER 2,691,260

MACHINE FOR SEALING CARTONS AND THE LIKE Filed April 24, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. A P/l/L/P G. $CHLEMMEK BY ds m RNEYS Oct. 12, 1954 P. G. SCHLEMMER 2,691,260

MACHINE FOR SEALING CARTONS AND THE LIKE Filed April 24, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. P/I/LIP G. -ScHLEMMR A TTOR NE Y5 Oct. 12, 1954' Filed April P. G. SCHLEMMER MACHINE FOR SEALING CARTONS AND THE LIKE '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 12, 1954 MACHINE FOR SEALING CARTONS AND THE LIKE Philip G. Schlemmer, Nanuet, N. Y. Application April 24, 1951, Serial No. 222,548

19 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved machine for folding and sealing the flaps of cartons, such as the conventional corrugated cardboard cartons or cases It is an object of the invention to provide a sealing machine of the type described having a platform at the front end upon which an open 7 empty carton may be placed for loading or filling with merchandise. After the filling of the-carton, the machine is put into operation, the carton is automatically advanced along the platform and guided into association with means for applying adhesive to the carton flaps. The carton is then guided past folding means which fold the adhesive-treated carton flaps to close the carton, and the carton is then moved between rows of rollers which firmly compress the flaps.

Another object of the invention is the provi-v sion of a sealing machine of the type described in which the machine is automatically shut off when the carton is moved between the rollers, and the carton is not advanced between the rollers until the operator loads another carton and sets the machine in operation. Thus each carton is retained under compression until the adhesive has dried sufficiently to seal the carton flaps securely.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the course of the following specification when taken in connection with th accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the entire machine; Fig. 2 is'an enlarged detailed side elevation of the loading portion of the machine with parts thereof shown broken away and in section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed side elevation of Fig. '7 is an enlarged, detailed, perspective view of one of the gluing units of the machine;

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of a portion of the gluing unit shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken along line 9 9 of Fig. 7;

2 Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken along line Ill-Ill of Fig. 7;

Figs. 11 to 15 are partial perspective views showing the progressive and successive operational treatment of a carton as it moves through the machine; and

Figs. 16-18 are schematic views showing the manner in which the cartons moving through the machine control the motors which operate the machine.

The machine comprises a pair of spaced side frames or plates Ill and II which extend substantially the entire length of the machine and are alined with each other. Pairs of vertical support members are secured to the side frames It! and l I, these support'members serving as legs upon which the machine stands. As shown in Fig. 1, the machine has respective front, rear, and central pairs of upright support members I2, I3, and I4. The pairs of support members I3 and I4 extend vertically a substantial distance above the side frames II] and I I.

As shown in Fig. 2, the side frames IE1 and II may be channel-shaped, having lateral flanges on their top and bottom ends. The support members I2, I3 and It may be in the shape of channel bars.

The top ends of the rear support members I3 are connected by a transverse bar I5, and the top ends of the central support members I4 are similarly connected by a transverse-bar It. The side plates Ill and II are rigidly connectedin their spaced relationship by a transverse channel bar If! and a rod I8. The respective rear and central uprights I3 and It on each side of the machine are connected by longitudinally-disposed channel bars I9, which in turn are connected by a pair of spaced transverse channel bars 2c which support a motor M2 and a pair of transverse bars H which support a motor M1.

-The machine has two distinct sections which are independently and automatically operable.

These sections meet approximately at the center of themachine, so that the machine is operatively divided roughly in half.v The front half of the .machineincludes a section for loading cartons,.applying glue to the flaps. thereof, and folding the flaps. The rear half of the machine includes a section for compressing the folded cartons until they areproperly sealed, and for discharging the cartonsfrom the machine.

Referring to Figs, 2, 4, and. 5, in which the front loading and sealing section is shown in detail, it will be seen that a fiat horizontal plat- I form 22 such as a wooden board or metal plate is rigidly and immovably mounted centrally between the side frames l6 and N. This platform 22 serves to support a carton C which is placed thereon with its bottom side flaps depending as shown in Figs. and 11, the carton C sliding rearwardly on said platform during the gluing operation. To enable cartons of various sizes to be placed thereon with the side flaps depending, the platform 22. is made narrow enough to accommodate standard cartons of small size.

The platform 22 has a pair of depending support legs 23 and 24 rigidly secured thereto. Said"- support legs 23 and 24 are connected-by a pair of longitudinally-extending bars 25 which, are fixed to the opposite sides of said support legs. The support leg 23 extends below the bars 2-5-and is held fixed in the machine framehy transverse rod l8 which connects the side frames l0 and l. The rear ends of bars 25 rest upon the trans verse channel bar I! of the machine frame.

The rear:transverseaedgeof the pla fo m; 22 is tapered, as indicated at 22a in Fig; 4 to; enable. the. bottom, side flaps of a carton to be folded upwardly as the cartonis moved beyondthe-platform-221.. A platiorm extension; p ate .26. is. mounted beneath the tapered platforml endi 22a. to; support the carton after it has been movedhcyond the platform and; before it enters, the compres sing section, of the machine. As shown in lig, 2 .p the extension plate 26 has a flat base portion rigidly; mounted on the bars 25, andsan upwardly bent fiat. rear end 2'li which is spaced from the, rear. of. platform 22;. The extension also as a. central vertical. fin or support member; 23; which is secured along its top edge to thebottomsurface. of platform. 22. The top; ed e. of .said. fin. 28; has a recessed portion, 2.6a. which, provides: clearance for the. f l ingoof the. cartonfiaps the carton leaves theplatform 22.;

Drive means. are provided, for moving a. ,car ton. along the length of-platform 22; said drive means comprising a. pairofisprocket chains. 3|); 811M131: whichare. mounted. in. the machine ram on; opposite sides. of the platform. and. spaced. from said. platform. Each sprocket. chain: 30... 3|. is. trained: over resp c iv sprockets 32.3.3. and 34. The pair of sprockets 32 are drive sprockets. and; areboth keyed to. a shaft: 35,. the, ends of which ar j urnalled in; the sideframes..;|01and; I The pairs of. spl ockets. 3.3-. and. .41araidlei: sprockets. h sprockets 34' bein rotatahly mounted on respective arms 36...which;a1:e fixed: tothe. rod, [8...

Theshaft 35. also carries a fixed. snllo ket 31,. the latter being connected. to a sprock t. 3. by a.- sprocket chain 38. Sprocket36; is. keyeditoi a. shaft .40. tov which. also, is keyed; a sprocket; 43. The shaftv 46: is journalled. in. the side frames 16; and I l, andhasanendfllawhich. extends through. and projects later lly from the-side frame. H. as shown. in Fig. 4. This shaftend 40c has keyed thereto; a. Wheel 42,, for a purpose which, will be presently explained,

The. sprocket 4:3. is connected. by. a. sprocket. chain 4b to a sprocket 45. which is driven bythe motor M1. The motor M1 may drive said. sprock-. et 45. through a conventional setof reduction gears housed within an integral gear-box.

The endless chains 30 and 3|-each-have respectlve planar, horizontal, topruns which are designated as 300 and- 3 la in Figs. 2 and-5. These top runs- 30aand 31-11 are parallel to and substantiallyhorizontally alinedwith the topsurface of platform 22. The chains 36* and 3| extend through respective cover plates 46 and-4l= which bracket the top runs 30a and 3|a and thereby guide said top runs in a truly horizontal direction, preventing sagging thereof. As shown in Fig. 5, the cover plates 46 and 41 are secured to the machine frame by posts 5|. The sprockets 33 are rotatably mounted on the front ends of the cover plates 46 and 41.

The sprocket chains 30 and 3| carry transverse'pusher bars 46 and 49 which are secured at diametrically opposed points on said chains. The bars 48 and 49 are attached to the inner side edges of each chain 30 and 3| by flat extension brackets 50; which are inwardly disposed to permitthe bars 48 and 49 to clear the cover plates 46.and 4] asthe sprocket chains 30 and 3| are driven.

The, drive sprockets 32 are rotated in such a direction that the sprocket chain top runs 30a and am move in a rearward direction, the pusher bars 48 and 49 being carried along the top surface of platform 22; Since. the sprocket chains move in. unison-,. the bars 48 and; 4.32am alwaysv maintained substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of: platform 22:; Asone of the pusher bars Mi or 49. traverses theplaliform 22, it thus contacts a carton, Cflresting; on the: forward end of saidplatform and pushes; the; carton along the length of the platform and off; therear end 22a. of said platform.

A pair'of. guide rails. 55,, in the; form; ofangle irons, are located on either side-ofplatformfl; and extend along the length. of the latter; and itsextension 26 for guiding the cartons as they are pushed rearwardly on said platform. As shown in Fig- 4, each guiderail, has. a pair; of: spaced elongated slots Hand 59. which are axially alined, with said rail. 55.. The. guide rails55. areieachr coupled to. apair of spaced; slide arms 6| and-62 by; means of upstanding pins which are; mounted onv said slide arms. and; which extend; through the respective slots; 58, and 59,, The slide,- arms. 6|; and 62: are turnably connected to the respective side frames l0. and; II by pivot pins- 63.v

Thepairsof slide arms 6|, and 62 on eacl side of-the machine. are connected by longitudinallyextending bars 64, each of said bars, fiabcinz Divotallyconnected to aslide arm 6| and a slide arm. 62.. The, forwardendof each bar; 64 is coupled .to, a respective terminal extension arm 65. which is in turnpivotally connectedto a.-,re-- snectivecrank .66; Eachcr nk; as a ub 66 whichis-keyed toatransverseshaft 61 journalled in theside frames, I0. and H. As shown in Fig.v 4, oneend a of sha t. .6 tends. hro sh's do frame, l0. and pro ects. exteriorly thereof. end 610. bears a handle 68 which. is located to be pivoted manually for turning of the shaft 61.

W en. thesheft Si is tu ned. hev pair. f cr k 66 turn in unison. and, move the bars 64 .l'ongltudinally, caus ng the pairs of slide arms6| and 62 to pivot, which in turn moves the guide rails 55 in opposite directions transversely ofthemachine. Since the above-described parts on both sides of the machine are identical in sizeand construction, rotational movement of shaft- 61- causes bothrails- 55- to move simultaneously th-rough the samedistance. The rails 55' are-- originally set equidistant from the central longi tudinal axis of platform- 22, and it maybe noted that this-equidistant relationship will be pro-- servedat all times when said rails are moved transversely. Thus, the rails 55 maybe manually adjusted to-abu-tthe sides of-a cartonplaced-upon platform 22 and said rails will hold and-guidethe carton in aperfectlycentered position on the which is mounted on bolt I0 between frame I0v and handle68, thereby locking handle 93 in lected adjusted position.

Each rail 55 supports an assembly for applying glue to the flaps of a carton automatically as the carton is pushed rearwardlyalong platform 22. These glue-applying asse'mblie'sare located on opposite sides of the machine frame and are movable transversely with their corresponding guide rails 55. shaped bar member 80 which may have a top terminal reinforcing plate SI. The plates BI arese cured to the undersides of the respective guide rails 55. An elongated vertical bracket 82 is rigidly secured to each U-shaped member 00, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, said bracket having top and bottom lateral flanges 89 and 84 in which a' vertical shaft 85 is journalled.

As shown in Fig. 5, the lower arm of each U- shaped member 83 extends slidably through a reinforced slot I8 inthe adjacent side frame I0, I I. The upper arm of each U-shaped member'00 rests slidably upon a block I9 which is aflixed to the upper flange of the adjacent side frame.

Each rail 55 carries a-fixed upstanding post- 8'! to the upper end of which is secured a gluing unit 86. These units 85 are located directly above their respective guide rails 55 and in a position to apply glue to the upper side flaps of a carton C, as the carton is guided along the platform 22. Identical gluin units 95 are rigidly secured to the lower inner ends of the U-shaped members 80. Theunits 95 are vertically alined with'the units'80 and are positioned to apply glue to the lower side flaps of the carton C. j

fEa'ch upstanding post -07 is reinforced by a cross-bar'88 which is secured to the elongated vertical bracket 82. m

Each unit 85 is intermittently operated in a manner to be presently described by an operating lever 89 which has at its free end an elongated slot 90; Through said slot 90 extends a pin 92 whichis mounted on the end of an arm 9I which is keyed to the top of shaft 85.

- The pins 92 are elongated to allow for vertical adjustment of the units 80. Conventional adjustment mechanism may be provided for this purpose, this mechanism being notshown for convenience of illustration.

An arm 93 is also keyed to the bottom end of each-vertical'shaft 85. The end of each arm 93 is pivotally connected to an operating lever 94 of 'each lower gluing'unit 95. The units 95 are inverted relative to the units 86.

In Figs. 7-10 one of the upper gluing units 80 is shown in detail and will now be described, it being apparent that this description will also apply to the lower gluing units 95 which have a structure identical with that of the units 80.

As shown in Figs. '7 and 10, the unit 86 has a body portion in the form of a generally rectangularblock 98 having a rectangular recess 97 at one end. The recess 91 is so disposed as to present an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration to the block 96 and thereby to define a leg 96a and a Each assembly includes a U shorter perpendicular leg 961). A slot 98 extends through the shorter leg 96b and is alined with the forward wall of leg 96a which borders the recess 91. The slot 98 extends from the bottom edge of leg 9% to a point spaced from the top of said leg 96?). Attached within the slot 98 are the ends of a pair of guide plates 99 and 100 whose free outer ends are flaredaway from each other in order to engage and guide an open carton flap, even though the flap may be bent or inclined. Guide plate I00 may have an integral planar ex.- tension I00awhich issecured to the forward wall of leg 99awhich borders the recess 91, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, providinga flat surface against which a carton flap can ride. A

The forward wall of the leg 98a, bordering the recess 91, has a flat lateral flange IOI at its upper end, as shown in Fig. 9.

The unit 00 also comprises an outer applicator tube I02 which houses a cylindrical inner appli cator tube I03, the latter being hollow and having a bottom open end which abuts the bottom inner surface of the outer applicator tube I022.-

The inner applicator tube I03 has an upper threaded neck I04 which is adapted to be attached to the end of a flexible feed pipe I05 by a lock nut I06. Glue or a similar liquid adhesive is fed through the neck I09 into the hollow body of inner applicator tube I 03 by the pipe I05. The inner applicator tube I09 has apluraiity of small, spaced holes or perforations I0! arranged in a longitudinal row adjacent the lower end thereof A pin I08 extends laterally from the tube I03 adjacent the upper end thereof, said pin I08 having a threaded end which is secured to a correspond ingly threaded opening in the wall of tube I03.

The outer applicator tube I02 is also cylindrical having an open top end and a closed bottom end. An elongated transverse slot I09 is located adjacent the top end of tube I02. A portion of the lower outer circumferential surface of tube I02 is flattened to provide a planar surface I III. This planar surface I I0 contains a longitudinal row ofholes or perforations III which are spaced the same distance from each other as tions I07 in-the-inner tube I03.

A collar I I 2 loosely encompasses the upper end of outer tube I02, said collar having a circular hole or opening I I3 adjacent its upper end. The collar H2 is integral with the end of operating lever 89.

A block I I 4 is provided to mount the outer tube I02 rigidly on the block 96. One end surface of said block I I4 has an arcuate recessed portion the perfora- I I la shaped to embrace the outer tube I02. The

block I I4 also has respective bolt holes located on either side of the recessed portion I Ma, said bolt holes receiving respective bolts I I 5 and I I6 whose threaded ends are sized to fit within threaded holes in the flange IOI of block 96.

In assembling the unit 93, the pin I08 is removed from the inner tube I03 and said inner tube'I03 is inserted within the outer tube I02, withthe bottom edge of inner tube I03 resting upon the closed bottom end of outer tube I 02. In this position, the perforations I0'I are alined with the perforations III, and the slot I 09 is alined with the threaded hole in inner tube I03 which receives pin I08. The outer tube I 02 is then placed within the collar II2 with the hole M3 of said collar in registry with the slot I09 of outer tube I02. The pin I08 is then inserted through the alined hole H3 and slot I09, and is secured to the inner tube I03, said pin thus looking toather the inner:- tube I 03; uter. tuber I 2;; and;

collar I I2.

perfo atio s to rought. into. andr ut. ft

registry L with the. alined perforations. v I I;I

The; outer tube I Q2; is held; rigiglly; imposition y nsertinesthe b o k: I I4.=-inmlaoe andi ighr the bolts I I5 and. -I I6; wherebythe; recessed p0l.-. tion;v I I la of b1ook;.-,I IA -embraoesthe outerwall: L t be DA nd; c amps-ti h t b ;v 12. ight y; a nst th flange l ofwhlot s; 5.;- The planar urfaee; I10; of. outerube ILZ saheldz para lel t am feq a t e flatplanarlexten ion 00. o late. I00, defining a passageway I I 'I through which a art ndflap an ,t evelfor luin Th s e st siewan. I I1; is, ,alined With-theslot of block 96.;

While-vthe head of, bolt. ll; 5 i may contain the usual; sl t'for t e. ece t on; a; s ewdriver r im r o l; it is re errecl t w e td e. h art often I I6. w a fin e -a mor a I My m ans. or -which said bolt may be manually loose ed ar q; g t n d for e cal. d us ment t. he outer tube I02.

Referring nowto. Fig. 1, it may bevsee that the flexible feed pipes I05;wh ich are attached to therespecti-venecks I 04;of each pair of flap prop: s imeiunits. B6 and .5. 1 ommt a ew a. ho low tr bu ha m m e 9- whit r is t: achecl to the. s i o 1 a, eser oirn e reservoir I2I is filled with glue or other liquid dhes e a d mtunte an ppr ab edis aste ve hel epnnmc ssi e its 86 n at. h lue s ravita a t nn r ubes. ll-tr stt 1 W en; he er o atiens 'llmt t of aid; nits st m e is m, l e wil fl hro sh. a p rf rat and ontact wi h t e: f ees o r ns. o n ough the assagew t h reservoir pi ot w es. a y I which; is ont l d b hand e 23 0 t at tha 9w t lue i-nto them d. pipe I0 ma -be ou fi: when desired for cleaningrepair, etc,

AS shown in s. tend; firthet neofa r ets-:- ve crank.- m is keyed o. eaqh, e ca haf 8. E c c -1 I is areue e and: s mot -1r e nected at ts the end-to.- terminal: bl ts 1.285 te teet ve Q QEFQ m me 12.5-v The other end of each connecting rod I25 also carriesa rigig; t rm na b eak t lt;

A ver.- zt s piy a l t nneotedth ihloth L21 of n of het nheet n ;rods,- 5; he en Qt.- s id lever "i ein ke ed to, ash-ar B1 As. sh wt n Pie-s the hett. tlt teeds t ='e s e e y'th ueh t eetersenin e he ide. ames t an When haft 29, t ttned, the tee: n r -s rod- IB s met d qe itut inell -f The block I21; oftheotherconnecting rod {-25 is pivotally attached tothe end ofa bell-prank lever: he att tem -k ye tt Q tette the end of shaft '1 29, s shown n. Ri 3. A fol; lower Wheel I,3.I. ismourrteql on the freeepct-oi, be -trel is ever 130*,- A pring. w ich is Q e t a d be r' tank erer [3 one. tear am I33 dl m unt d n ie met ine. heme. t ees. saidbell-cranklever I30. to the position ill Fig 3 in which the'follower wheel I31" abuts the p'eriphery of the wheel 42- whi'ch is lgeyedto th'eer'rd of shaft 40.

A cam plate I34-is secured to theedgeof wheel- 42 and extendslbeyond. the periphery ofa saixl Wheel 42.. Whenthe wheel .42 is rotated, thiscam p ate 31=00mes m lcontact'with follower wh el 8;- Bitter-1d reises i -wheel 31:- as-r hqwn btekeet line in Fig. 3, causing the bell e'ranl; lever IQQ, mh haft; .20; to. urn! wlz th. a u motes h onnecting-toes 25: orw r y n: ll nsitutl nelr dir tio causi eeehp etat ne e er o We its irrtegralloollarjljz, Thus eachinner tube, In siturned un i ts p rfor t s 0 t a n, es st" iththe erf etions- I I f he ott be t All; ratllfi. fla roc sin n ts fi nd 5, a;

therefore. si u1taneouslybrought into. operatiye; pos t ort; t e am pla 3A B s t; he ollower wheel-W, h rite '32- br n s-5 t follower wheel I3I back into oor taotwith thep ahere sufiee tt heer 2; hat tq in z b l e t h ater ime he PPQs Q- iIQQt Q hmh; mmes ia m mes t e fiae 'etq s ins nitsfi -ancl, to their inoperative. position in, whioh hesn r at on 1; d re o t o reeist -r Itisappat n t et he width o thtt mf i t e rminest e h ime v WhitM-hen t 8 an s re maint e n eite tt t P-QSi l QP T e, em. Plat 1 13 m nt nthr n u l QQPQ TfifiQ ith h sve epn ars .8 Wi iich .1 6 h -lip, belts wand BI, so that the units 86, and 95am opened; only during the time, that the fiaps ofa. cartonare; passing said; units. The length of the carton flap therefore determines the wid t h, of the. m plat 34 his; ea on th m Pl t nre e thlr r l etuted h l fl sb ws 3 so hatitme .bete a d 9! t ee's': ofvariedsiz es.

It may also be noted that; if; itisl tendedto: apply glue only totthe front, and rear-ends of-the artonea b t; e e f h ester o a is me mes si tt he hlT TQ t mpla e maxbe replaceolby a pair ohnarrower oam plates suit ablylocated for this purpose.

The threaded upperend- Idjqo of a, vertical cy llndrical shait l-ll extendsthrough anppenin'g in the center'of; the transverse bar I6 which QQI}: neots the; central;verticalsuppprt members IA of, the machine-frame, In.- a sirnilarr manner; the hr ad d pper nt Qf: a he t H ends through an openingln the center o1 transverse har; I5 which; eohaects the.reamgertlgalsupport s t- At shqwninfi test; shaft 1: and? MI is supported by a respective sleeve, IIIZ raIid e h id etr s e ti ar neeti sprocket MA; aridldi, The sleeyes I41?r mam 8416; .zfifid fihl s -es nu s-Q he fi z n s s aits I enetM-J- These e ts W; he 1 4 :1 rewnnttt e b ed me h w t we belt I48. The sleeve I43-hasaham gripIAlbY; memos? oat Vwhioh said sleey -IAS-Jmayi be rotated an al y a T h ai fi t en e t hr sets? re mtsv e bet 4, nd I h c 'b ids'tthe side frames I0 and II. These ttahsversejbars. 48 an at e 5PM! and r suppo e b t atest no heads. he I 1: he att r I the I t t. iqes te te thenhe rs 5 a i; 53;, w ich a e; o t d oa resi i es tit machine frame e cented; to e lowet writes a 9 h. ansve e Pet 1& a di 8 d a L ea ei the reb s wn; i Eta Lthe q eiti a eel, a el rs 52. 1 9 1 er uide w e s (5.4: a d L55 on th r uter a es sa d; suite Whee fit and I55 TQQWl5l bu tin e tastin ett ta i eases t' he rr ehts t n :4 uidew se A; amt I 5, m inta n he l e ltu eal-thenxle a ets II: nd 3 i a horizon alp s ara lel; tq heplatf r-m 2 A a ttaestsl e ba tits se u ed wes the to s: o he enamel bars 2: and; 5 i twatdlx:

'rection relative to the bracket I 6 I.

9 of'the transverse bar I48. At the center of the bar I58 is mounted a pair of upstanding posts I 59 Which support a platform'lliil. The glue reservoir I2I rests upon said platform I60.

The closed end of a bracket It! is mounted on the cylindrical shaft I49, said bracket I6I extending in a longitudinal direction toward the forward end of the machine and having flat, spaced parallel side arms between which a flat flap-folding arm I62 is slidably mounted. As shown in Fig. 2. the bracket I61 rests upon the two transverse bars I48 and I58. The flap-folding arm I62 has a slot I63 which is adjacent and parallel to its top longitudinal edge. A pair of bolts I64 which extend through the arms of bracket I6I, also extend through the slot I 63, so thatthe flap-folding arm I62 may be slid in a longitudinal horizontal di- An end-stop I65 located at the rear end of the slot I63 limits the forward movement of the arm I62 to an extended position in which its front edge is sul stantially vertically-aimed with the front edge of the platform 22.

As shown in Fig. 2, the flap-folding arm I62 has a bottom longitudinal edge which is parallel to the top surface of platform 22, and which has a forward recessed portion I66. The arm I62 also has an operating handle I61 for manually sliding said arm I62.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, a pair of inclined folding rods I68 and I69 are respectively secured at one end to opposed points on the respective side frames I9 and II. The rods I68 and I69 are inclined upwardly and inwardly, the free ends thereof converging between the rear end 22a of platform 22 and the rear end 21 of platform extension 26. A similar pair of folding rods I18 and Ill are mounted above the rods I68 and I69, the ends of said rods I19 and HI being respectively secured to the longitudinal channel bars by a pair of depending posts I13, said plate I12 being located centrally in the machine frame directly to the rear of the converging ends of rods I19 and I15. I12 has a forward, upwardly bent portion I120;

which contains a central slot I 14 in order to provide clearance for the rearward sliding of the flap-folding arm I62.

A lever I15 is pivoted to the machine frame ad- -J'acent the forward end of platform 22. This lever I15 is connected by a rod I16 to the operating arm I11 of a switch SW1, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 16. The switch SW1 operatively controls the motor M1 in such a manner that when the lever I15 is pivoted toward the forward end of the machine, the motor M1 is actuated. As shown in Fig. 4, the switch SW1 is located adjacent the side frame, 16 with its operating arm I11 located proximate to the top run 99a of chain belt 39, and in a position to be engaged and pivoted rear- Wardly by one of the pusher bars 48 or 49, thus ale-actuating the motor M1.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5, a pair of channels I18 and I89 are mounted inwardly of the respective longitudinal channel bars I 52 and I 53 by connecting posts I89. The channels I18 extend As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, plate longitudinally along the entire rear half of the machine, and have mounted therebetween a row of closely-spaced idler rollers I8 I.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. the side frames I9 and II respectively carry similar channels I82 and I83, between which are mounted rollers I84. The rollers I84 are also closely spaced. An endless belt I85 is trained over the top surfaces of the rollers I84, said belt I65 being driven by a drive roller I86 and tensioned by an idler roller I81. The drive roller I86 is mounted adjacent the rear ends of channels I82 and IE9, and is rotated by a chain belt I88 connected to a sprocket wheel I89 of a motor M2 which is mounted on the transverse channel member 28: of the machine frame.

The idler roller I81 is mounted on a shaft I90 which is supported by an upright rod I 9I as shown in Fig. 3. The rod I9I has a threaded lower end which fits through a hole in the bottom flange of side frame II). This hole is. bracketed by a pair of nuts I 92 through which the threaded end of rod I9! also extends. The rod I9I may be turned relative to the nuts I92 to raise or lower said rod I9I and thus vary the tension of idler roller I81 upon the belt I85.

The rows of rollers I8! and I84 are of substantially equal length and are alined with each other. The top surfaces of the rollers I94 are on the same horizontal level as the top surface of platform 22, as is also the top horizontal run of the endless belt I85 which traverses these rollers I94.

Each roller I94 and I 85 is so closely spaced from the adjacent rollers in its row that a substantial area at the top and bottom of a carton C, which is moved between the row of rollers, is: always in contact with the rollers. Each roller I84 and I85 is preferably spaced one to two inches or even less from the the next adjacent rollers in its The rear ends of the channels I18 and I19 and I82, I83 which carry the respective rollers I8! and I84, project rearwardly beyond the end of the machine frame and are open at this projecting end to define a discharge opening I 93 for the car' tons after they are processed.

Actuation of the motor M2 is controlled by a switch SW2 which has a mounting bracket I94. The bracket I94 is mounted on the cylindrical shaft I49 above the fiat transverse bar I48 as shown in Fig. 3. The switch SW2 has an operat ing lever I95 which is operatively coupled by a connecting rod I96 to the end of a trip lever I91. The trip lever I91 is pivoted adjacent its center to an extension of the transverse flat bar I58 which bridges the longitudinal channel bars I52 and I53. A spring I99 normally maintains the trip lever I91 in its inoperative position of Figs. 3 and 18, in which the switch SW2 is in its off position and the motorMz is not operated.

The free end I91a of trip lever I91 is located. forwardly of the row of rollers I8I and on a level slightly below the bottom surfaces of the rollers 28!. This free end I91a is thus in a position to be engaged by a carton passing from the platform 22 to the rollers I8! and I84, causing the trip lever I91 to pivot to its operative position of Fig. 17 in which it brings the switch SW2 to its on position and causes the motor M2 to be actuated. After the carton has cleared the trip lever I91, the spring I99 returns said triplever to its inoperative position.

The drawings are substantially to scale and reference is made thereto for further disclosure.

:outer applicator tube I02.

. Operation The machine requires the proyision of fa'n operator for manually performing the initial op- .erati onalsteps. The operator, standing at the tically downward below the platform 22, and the topside flaps S and top end flaps T are extend- 'ingvertically upwardv The operator may then fill the carton C with boxes, bottles, jars, or the like through theopen top end of said carton.

At any convenient time before or after the loading of the first carton C, themachinernay be adjusted to conform to the dimensions of the cartons. For this purpose, the handle 68 is pivoted until the guide rails abut the sides of the carton C, and the handle 68 is thenlocked in this adjusted position by the wing nut "II. The iongitud'inal channel bars I52 and I 53 are then adus'te'd vertically by turning the hand grip I4! of the sleeve I43 until the vertical distance between the rows of rollers I58! and I84 conforms'to the height of the cartonC. 4

It is "to be noted that during this "vertical adjustmen't when the channel bars I52 and I53 are raised or lowered, they carry with them the 'flap-foldir'ig'arm I62, upperfgluing units '85, upper folding rods HI! and Ill, plate I12, and the'trip lever 'I9'I of sWitchSWg, bringing the latter'rnenibers automatically to their proper positions for processing thecartqn C. y I

After th'e'carton C has been suitably loaded or tilled, the operator grasps the operating handle I61 of the flap-folding arm 1'62 and slides said arm I 52 to its furthest inw rd position, asshown in-Figs. 2 and 12. This action causes the recessed portion I66 of said arm I62 to fold down andhold the 110p end fiapsTof carton C. The pperator then pulls the lever I15 at the front of the n achine, and the remaining prbce's'sing'stepsof the carton are then automatically performed.

Actuation of -the lever I I pivots the operating arm I 1'! of switch SW1 to its-onpositi on, closing said switchand actuating'themotor we. As -the motor Mi is ioperated, the 'cha'inbelts 30 and 3| arerotated in the direction of the arrows in'Eig. 16, causingone'of the p'u'sherbars 48 to traverse the top's'urface 0; platform 22. Thepuslierbar 48 engages the carton C on "platform 22 and flushes Ysa'id mm i efr m w the rear Q-Dlatfor'm.

In the'courseof its travel along platform 2 2,

the carton'Cencounters the gluing units 86 and 95, the upper side flaps s'or saidcarton -C being :guided by the guide plates 59 and Illi'l of the upper gluing units '86 through the passageways Ill oi said units I35. Similarly, the lower side flaps :13 of carton C are guided through the-respective passageways II! of the lower gluing units 95.

As the carton side flaps enter the passageways I I], the cam plate I Blof the rotating wheel 42 is turned into contact with the follower wheel I3I of bell-cram; lever I3El, pivoting said bellcrank lever and therebytnoving the connecting rods I25 longitudinally. This movement of the connecting rods I25 simultaneously turns the inner applicator tubes H3301 all of the gluing units-86 and 95 until the row of perforations H]? of each inner applicator tube Hi3 is in registry with the row of perforations H l of therespective As the upper and slower side rfiapsS andB of the -carton CareJca-rri'edthrough the passageways H I of the respective gluing :units ,86 and :95, spaced lines of glue are applied along the entire inner surface 10f said flaps, as shown in'Fig. 13.

As soon as the carton flaps-S and-i3 move out of contact with the gluing units *BB a-nd Si the cam plate I34 is turned outvof contact withthe bell-crank lever I130, enabling the spring 132 to urge said bell-crank lever ;I30-to;its inoperative position in which the follower wheel I31 abuts the periphery of wheel 42', and the gluingunits 8-6 and Share closed.

,The carton C is then carried along platform 22 b pusher bar .58 until it reaches-the tapered ,rear-end-;Z2a of said platiorm. In this positiqn, t e psi t nrfla s S ar eng byth upper folding rods I18 and HI andare folded downwardly, as shown in Fig. ;1 l, whilesimulta eo l the p tq s efiap B wei 1 .1?- we d by he wer ol n ro s 1.6 d 16. e t pere e dgli 1 f r i m 22 iproyides clearance to enable the bottom side flaps Bfllo begin ;to be folded upwardly as the carton C leaves the platform 22.

also 'ma-intains the bottom side flaps B closed.

Similarly, the top side flaps S of the cartonjC are maintained closed by the plate I12. .As the carton C .is pushed off the platform .22, the front of said carton engages the vfreefend IQIuf trip lever 1 91, and pivots said trip lever to close therswitch SW2. The motor M2 is thereby actuated, rotating the/endless belt I which carries the ,carton C 'between the rows of rollers ISI and 1.84. At the same time, the pusher rod A 8 comes :in contact vi'v iththe operating 'atm :I'II of switchswi, pivoting said operating arm 'LI'I rearwardly and opening switch SW1. The motor M1 is thus de-actua'ted.

When the carton C;- has been moved entirely between the rows of rollers L8! and I84, as shown in Figs. 3 and 18, itclears the trip lever 19.1, .perimitting the spring I99 ,to pivot said trip lever 1.5.1 and open switch SW2. The motor is thereby de-actuated and the endless belt I '8'5 ceases its movement. At this stage, neither rnotor M1 .or M2 is operating, and the machine z -mo iq e The [operator maythen place another empty cartonon platform 22, fill this carton, and perform :the same initial operational steps, finally switch SW2, the first carton is advanced between the rows of rollers I8I and IN, until the :second carton clears the trip lever I91 of switch SW2, at which time both cartons are located between the rows 0f rollers IBI and I84, and remain in this position until a third carton closes the switch-SW2.

Thus each carton is brought between the rows of rollers [BI and I84 and is not advanced therein until a succeeding carton is loaded and s'ent'along the platform 22. As each carton is brought between the rollers IBI and I84, the preceding cartons are moved along only through a distance approximately equal to thelength of a carton. The cartons are therefore retained between the rows of rollers IBI and I84 for a relatively long operational time. The rollers HM and I84 are spaced vertically a sufficient distance to compress the cartons firmly therebetween, so that 13 the top and bottom side flaps will seal tightly and securely.

When each carton traverses the length of the rows of rollers 18! and I84, it is ejected from the discharge opening I93 on to a suitable platform, chute, container, or the like.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that numerous omissions, changes, and additions may be made without'departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for sealing cartons which have overlapping flaps, said machine comprising a reservoir for liquid adhesive, a plurality of gravity-fed hollow applicator units communicating with said reservoir and each having a vertically-disposed row of spaced adhesive outlet openings, means for moving cartons in succession past said applicator units with some of the carton flaps open and vertically disposed, means to guide some of the open and vertically disposed flaps of each carton simultaneously into a slidably abutting association with the respective vertical rows of outlet openings of said applicator units as the carton is moved past said limits, automatic means to operate each applicator unit simultaneously when the carton flaps are in abutment with the outlet openings thereof in order to apply adhesive to said flap through said outlet openings in spaced parallel lines, and to close each applicator unit when the carton flaps have moved out of contact with said applicator units, means to fold said carton flaps after the application of adhesive thereto, and compression means to compress said flaps after the folding thereof. 1

, 2. A machine for sealing cartons which have top and bottom closure flaps, said machine comprising a frame having a front loading opening and a rear discharge opening, a loading platform within said frame extending longitudinally from said front loading opening toward said rear discharge opening, said platform being of sufficient width to support a carton thereon with the top side flaps of the carton upstanding and the bottom side flaps of the carton depending below said platform, means to push said carton along said platform to the rear end thereof with the side carton flaps extended vertically, a reservoir for liquid adhesive mounted above said platform, a plurality of gravity-fed applicator units located below said reservoir, each applicator unit being hollow and having an inlet opening communicating with said reservoir, a vertical row of spaced outlet openings and closure means for said outlet openings, said applicator units being located above and below said platform and each being posi tioned to slidably abut an extended side flap of said carton when said carton is moved along said platform past said units, automatic means to simultaneously open the applicator unit closure means when said carton flaps are inabutment with said applicator units in order to apply adhesive through each row of openings to each re- 3. A'machine for sealing cartons which have top and bottom closure flaps, said machine comprising a frame having a front loading opening and a rear discharge opening, a loading platform within said frame extending longitudinally from said front loading opening toward said rear discharge opening, said platform being of sufiicientwidth to support a carton thereon with the top side flaps of said carton upstanding and the bottom side flaps of the carton depending below said platform, means to push said carton longitudinally along said platform to the rear end thereof, a pair of guide bars located on opposite sides of the platform and parallel thereto, said guide bars being spaced to abut the side walls of a carton and thereby to guide said carton along said platform, a reservoir for liquid adhesive mounted above said platform, a plurality of gravity-fed applicator units located below said reservoir, each applicator unit being hollow and having an inlet opening communicating with said reservoir, a row of spaced outlet openings, and closure means for said outlet opening, said applicator units being located above and below said platform and each being positioned to slidably abut aside flap of said carton when said carton is moved along said platform past said units, automaticmeans to simultaneously open the applicator unit closure means when said carton flaps are in abutment with said applicator units and to close each'closure means when said carton flaps have moved past said applicator units, means to fold said side carton flaps in overlapping relation to the end flaps of the carton, said folding means being spaced rcarwardly of said platform, means to compress said folded flaps, said compression means being located rearwardly of said folding means and extending to the rear discharge opening of said frame, and independent drive means to advance the cartons in succession through said compression means as each subsequent carton is moved to the rear end of said platform.

4; A machine according to claim 3 in which a plurality of movable arms are pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the machine frame, said guide bars having elongated longitudinal slots, said arms having terminal pins which extend through said slots, said arms being of equal size and arranged to move said guide bars simultaneously and to the same degree transversely relative to said platform when said arms are pivoted, said guide bars being held by said arms equidistant from and parallel to said platform.

5. A machine for sealing cartons which have top and bottom closure flaps, said machine comprising a frame having a front loading opening and a rear discharge opening, a horizontal platform extending from the front loading opening interiorly of said frame, a reservoir for liquid adhesive, a plurality of applicator units fed by said reservoir and arranged adjacent said platform in a position to apply adhesive to said carton flaps, folding means located adjacent said platform to fold said carton flaps after the application of adhesive thereto,-and a pair of verticallyspaced upper and lower row of compression ro1lers located rearwardly of said platform and extending through the interior of the machine frame to said rear discharge opening, said rows of rollers being spaced a sufiicient distance from each other to receive a carton therebetween and to compress the folded flaps thereof, a pair of endless chain belts mounted on opposite sides of said platform, said chain belts having respective topru'nswhichare alined with' thet'op surface of said platformpat least one transverse Ibarxjoining said-chain belts and being positioned toitraverse the top surface of saidplatformWhen said chain belts are turned, "motor driven"means to turn said chain belts in unison "whereby to cause said bar to push'a cartonalong said-platform from the front end to the rear'end thereof and past said applicatorunits and folding m'e'ans'to said rows of compression rollers, m'otor driven -advancing-meansto-advancecartons'betw'eensaid rollers to said discharge"openinggsaidadvancing means being operable whenacarton is moved-out of contact with the'platform and into contact with the compression rollers, to cause the cartons 'be-' tween said rows of rollers to advancea distance substantially-equal tothe length ofon'e carton.

6; A machine according to claim 5 in which the advancing means is controlled by a switch, said switch having an operating lever located at theforward end of said rows of rollers in a position to'be operatively'engagedby acartonmoving into contact with said rollers, said operating -lever when operatively engaged actuating saidadvancin'g means, said operating lever 'de'actuating. said advancing means when said carton has move'dbetween said rows of rollers and out of operative engagement with said'operating 'lever.

7. A machine according'to claimfi in'which said motor-driven means to turn said chain belts is controlled by'a switch havinga pivotable operating arm located at-the rear end of the top runs of said chains and positioned to be engaged by said transverse bar and to be pivoted to inoperative position thereby,said operating armhav--- ing' manual means for pivoting it to operative position in which it actuates said motor-driven means.

8. A machine for sealing cartons with top and bottom closure flaps, said machine comprising a frame having a front loading'opening and a rear dischargeopening, a'horizontaliplatform extending from the front loading opening interio'rly of said frame,a reservoir for liquid-adhesive, a plurality of'applicator units gravity-fed bysaid resalinementwith each other,'said inner tube being turnable in said outer tube to bring said rows of perforations into'and out of registry with each other, the turning movement of each inner tube being controlled by a single lever pivotally mounted on the machine frame and having a free end which rides upon the periphery of said wheel, said cam plate being positioned to turn into contact with and raise the free end of'said lever to bring said rows of perforations into registry, said cam plate beingpositioned-to raise the free end of said lever when the carton flaps are in contact with their respective applicator units.

9. A machine for sealing cartons which have overlapping flaps, said machine comprising -a frame having a front loading opening and a rear discharge opening, a horizontal platform extending fromthe front loading opening interiorly of said frame, said platform beingsized throughout 316 its length to' support a-carton thereon with=the side flaps thereof extended and hav-ing aifront end/accessible from the front end-of said ma- -chine for manual filling ofsaid carton, means to push said carton rearwardly along the 'length 'of said platform, an actuating member-"accessible from' the front of said machine'for setting said pushing-means'in operation, means to apply-adhesive to the extended-flaps of said carton,:means :to fold saidflaps'after theapplic'ation of adhesive thereto, a pair vertically spaced rowsof compression rollers extending from the "rear end-of said platform tosaid rear dischargeopening and 'po- -=sitioned--to receive the carton therebetweemwhen =the=carton reaches'the end ofsai'd platform,-drive means for-said compression rollers, andautomatic means for deactuating said. pushing means and "actuating said drive means when-the carton-is received by said rollers.

10. A machine according to claim-tin which saidrows of compression rollers are long enough to receive therebetween a plurality -of---cartons, said compression roller drive means-being operable to advance the'cartons between said rollers -by a'distance equal to the length 'of onecarton when a carton is. pushed to the rear-end of said platform.

11.- A-machine according to claim 10-in "which said drive means including switchmeansrareiposi- 'tionedto be actuated by contact with the carton as it reaches the end of said platform.

12. A machine 'forsealing cartons which have 'topand-bottom closure flaps, said-machinecomprising a frame having a front loading opening and-a rear discharge opening, athorizontal platiormextending from the front loading opening interiorly of said frame, said platform beingsized I throughout its length to support va-cartonthereupon with its top side flaps upstandingandits bottom side flaps depending andhavinga front end accessible from the front end lofsaid machine -for manual filling of said carton; a pusher bar located to traverse the top surf-ace ofasaid platform to push the carton therealong, drive means for moving said pusher bar from 'the front of said platform to the rear thereof,manuallyoperable control means at the front of-saidmachine for actuating said drive means, meansJfor applying adhesive to the extended carton. side flaps as the carton is pushed along-saidplatform, means to fold said extended fiaps'a'fter'ithe application of adhesive thereto, a pair of rows of horizontally-spaced compression rollers extending from the rear end of saidplatformto-said rear discharge openingv and positioned .to receive a carton therebetween when the carton reaches the end of said platform, drive means'for at least one row of compression rollers, and automatic switch means for deactuating said pusher bar drive means and actuating said compression roller drive-means when the carton is received by said rollers.

13. A machine for sealing cartons which have overlapping flaps, said machine comprising .a reservoir for liquid adhesive; a plurality o'f gravity-fed applicator units communicating with said reservoir, means for moving car-tons in succession past said applicator units with-some of their flaps open and vertically disposed, means to-guide some of the open flaps of each cartoninto operative association with said applicator v units, means to fold said carton flaps after the application of adhesive thereto, and means to compress said flaps after the folding thereof, each of said applicator units comprising an outer .member having, a fiat applicator surface containing a longitudinal row of spaced outlet openings, an inner tube'turnably contained in said outer memher and having a row of outlet apertures positioned to register with the outlet apertures of said outer member, said inner tube having an inlet opening communicating with said adhesive reservoir, said applicator unit also including a mount having a planar guide surface, said applicator unit being fixed to said mountwith the outer member applicator surface facing said guide surface and being spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to enable a carton flap to pass therethrough in slidable contact with both said surfaces, said mount also having guide means to receive said carton flap and guide it between said surfaces, said machine also having automatic means to bring said rows of outlet openings into registry when said carton flap is passing transversely thereby.

14. A machine for sealing cartons which have overlapping flaps, said machine comprising a reservoir for liquid adhesive, a plurality of gravityfed applicator units communicating with said reservoir, means for moving cartons in succession past said applicator units with some of their flaps open and vertically disposed, means to guide the open flaps of each carton into operative association with said applicator units, means to fold said carton flaps after the application of adhesive thereto, and means to compress said flaps after the folding thereof, each of said applicator units comprising an outer member having a flat applicator surface containing a row of spaced outlet openings, an inner cylindrical tube turnably contained in said outer member and having a row of outlet apertures positioned to register with the outlet apertures of said outer member, said inner tube also having an inlet opening communicating with said adhesive reservoir, said applicator unit also including a casing having a passageway, said outer member being mounted on said casing with its applicator surface in registry with one side of said passageway, said passageway being sized to enable a carton flap to pass therethrough and hold said carton flap in slidable contact with said applicator surface as said flap moves transversely past said row of outlet openings, said casing having a pair of outwardly-fiared plates leading to said passageway and positioned to receive said carton flap and guide it into said passageway, said machine also having automatic means to bring said rows of outlet openings into registry when said carton flap is passing thereby.

15. A machine according to claim 14 in which said outer member is cylindrical and contains a slot extending around a portion of its circumference, said inner tube containing a pin which ex tends through said slot, said applicator unit having a collar embracing said outer member and turnable thereon, said pin extending through a hole in said collar, said collar having an extension arm, said automatic means being adapted to reciprocate said extension arm to reciprocally turn said collar and inner tube, the limits of the movement thereof being limited by the travel of said pin Within the length of said slot.

16. A machine according to claim 15 in which said row of outlet apertures are in registry when the pin is at one end of said slot.

17. A machine for sealin cartons which have overlapping flaps, said machine comprising a frame, a fixed platform extending longitudinally through said frame and sized to support a carton 1 8 with it's .top andv bottom side flaps open. and" extended, means to move said cartonlongitudinally along said platform, means to apply adhesive to the extended'side flaps ofisaid carton, means to fold said carton flaps, means. to compress said folded carton-flaps, and meansito guidesaid moving carton along said platform into successive operative association with said adhesive-applying means, folding meanaand' compression means,

said guide means comprising a pair of spaced guide bars located parallel to and on opposite sides of saidplatform and each having elongated slots therein, a plurality of movable arms. pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the machine frame and having respective terminal pins which extend through said slots, said arms being of equal size and arranged to move said guide bars simultaneously and to the same degree transversely relative to said platform when said arms are pivoted, said guide bars being held by said arms equidistant from and parallel to said platform.

18. A machine according to claim 1'7 in which a manually-operable member is mounted on said machine frame and connected to said movable arms for pivoting all of said arms in unison.

19. A machine for sealing cartons which have top and bottom closure flaps, said machine comprising a frame having a front loading opening and a rear discharge opening, a loading platform within said frame extending longitudinally from said front loading opening toward said rear discharge opening, said platform being of sufficient Width to support a carton thereon with the top side flaps of said carton upstanding and the bottom side flaps of the carton depending below said platform, means to push said carton longitudinally along said platform to the rear end thereof, a pair of guide bars located on opposite sides of the platform and parallel thereto, said guide bars being spaced to abut the side walls of a carton and thereby to guide said carton along said platform, a reservoir for liquid adhesive mounted above said platform, a plurality of gravity-fed applicator units located below said reservoir, each applicator unit being hollow and having an inlet opening communicating with said reservoir, at least one outlet opening, and closure means for said outlet opening, said applicator units being located above and below said platform and each being positioned to slidably abut a side flap of said carton when said carton is moved along said platform past said units, automatic means to simultaneously open the applicator unit closure means when said carton flaps are in abutment with said applicator units and to close each closure means when said carton flaps have moved past said applicator units, means to fold said side carton flaps in overlapping relation to the end flaps of the carton, said folding means being spaced rearwardly of said platform, means to compress said folded flaps including a pair of rows of transverse rollers arranged longitudinally of the machine and in vertical alinernent with each other, said rollers being spaced vertically from each other, means to vertically adjust the top row of rollers as a unit relative to the bottom row of rollers whereby to space said rows of rollers a sufficient distance to compress a carton therebetween, an endless belt trained over the lower row of rollers, motor-driven means for turning said belt, and switch means positioned to be operatively engaged by a carton moving to the rear end of said platform, said switch means being operatively 19 connected to said motor-driven means and adapted to actuate said motor when said switch means is operatively engaged by said carton and to tie-actuate said motor when said carton has moved past said switch means, said endless belt when turned being adapted to advance all of the cartons contained between the rows of rollers, said switch means being located sufiiciently close to the forward end of said rows of rollers to enable substantially the entire length of a carton to be positioned between the rows of rollers at the instant that the carton passes out of operative contact with said switch means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS- Number Name Date Knapp Apr. 29, 1902 Martin Apr. 20, 1915 Johnson Apr. 1'7, 1917 Feet Sept. 6, 1921 Shawver Oct. 31, 1922 Eckert Mar. 22, 1938 Kimball July 13, 1943

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