US2780900A - Closure flap manipulating mechanism for carton filling machine - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 12, 1957 c. z. MONROE ETAL 5 3 CLOSURE FLAP MANIPULATING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet l 1 1957 c. z. MONROE ETAL CLOSURE FLAP MANIPULATING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINE I Filed July 15, 1955 10 sheets sheet 2 ENYEQNTQW Chqfles 27.0?08 Dwught G er-mm.

Feb. 12, 1957 c. z. MONROE ETAL 2,780,900

CLOSURE FLAP MANIPULATING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 NYDNFIQM Char- (es Z. -Tnarxr'oe t Gav-man.

s i in M WOW-N57 Feb. 12, 1957 Z CLOSURE FLAP Filed July 15, 1953 MONROE MANIPULATI El AL 2,780,900 NG MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINE ISI 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 an, fly,

harles zqnome Dwight Gev'mom 1957 c. z. MONROE ETAL 2,780,900

CLOSURE FLAP MANIPULATING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1953 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 W Charles Z. nonr'o Dwight German Feb. 12, 1957 2 MONROE EI'AL 2,780,900

CLOSURE FLA MANIPULATING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1953 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 IQBA Charles Z.GTYlQr\r-ce wight G ear-man 1957 c. z. MONROE EI'AL CLOSURE FLAP MANIPULATING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 15, 1953 v EN qfl. J V m n W V kwq e wwmw N Z a m ml ,1 C? w 1957 c. z. ONROE ETA CLOSURE FLA ANIPULAT FOR CARTON FILLIN Filed July 15, 1955 2,780,900 a MECHANISM ACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 ENVENTQW Charlefi Z. m v roe Dwight G r-mun Qua... W s

CRT-romsyJ Feb. 12, 1957 c z MONROE EI'AL 2,780,900

CLOSURE FLAi MANIPULATING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINE Filed .July 15, 1953 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 Fig-1 EINVENYOW Chow (as Z.Q'Y\onv-oe Dwi ht Ger-man TTQRNE Yn/ United States Patent CLOSURE FLAP MANIPULATING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINE Charles Z. Monroe, Detroit, Mich, and Dwight German,

I Angeles, (Jalifi, assignors to Ex-Cell-Q Corporatron, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application July 15, 1953, Serial No. 368,136

7 Claims. (Cl. 53-284) This invention relates generally to packaging machines for filling and closing cartons, and more particularly to a mechanism for manipulating closure flaps on cartons.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved flap manipulating mechanism for a machine adapted to fill and close cartons having a plurality of closure flaps. T he invention is applicable particularly to the manipulation of closure flaps on rectangular tubular cartons having four closure flaps at each end. Such cartons are often employed for packaging ice cream or the A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism adapted to close the bottom flaps of a carton and open the top flaps in preparation for the filling of the carton, and then to close the top flaps after the filling operation.

A more particular object is to provide a reliable yet simple mechanism for folding a carton flap forwardly while the carton is moving in the same direction. In this aspect, the invention is applicable either to opening a leading flap or to closing a trailing flap.

It is a further object to provide a mechanism in which arms or fingers are arranged on a rotatable sprocket or the like of a carton conveyor so as to manipulate the leading or trailing closure flaps on cartons as the latter approach or depart from the sprocket on the conveyor.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a general side elevation of a particular packaging machine embodying an exemplary flap manipulating mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a general plan view of the machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged horizontal section, taken generally along a line 33 in Fig. 4, and showing certain details of a carton feeding mechanism, a transfer turret, a conveyor and flap manipulating elements adapted to manipulate certain of the bottom flaps of a carton, a hood for the conveyor being removed for clarity of illustration.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged vertical section taken through the transfer turret and a sprocket of the conveyor, generally along a line id in Fig. 3, and showing additional details of the flap manipulating elements of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the conveyor, showing certain details of a conveyor chain, a conveyor receptacle carried on the chain, and a flap manipulating shoe or arm.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, somewhat diagrammatic view showing a portion of a carton in section and the flap manipulating shoe of Fig. 5 in elevation.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bottom portion of the carton, with its two inner flaps in a substantially closed position.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view showing the conveyor and certain flap manipulating elements 2,780,900 Patented Feb. 112, E?

adapted to act on the top flaps of the carton before and after the filling of the carton, the actual filling mechanism being removed.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken generally along a line 99 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the conveyor and certain of the flap manipulating devices, as viewed from the plane of the line l d-l0 of Fig. 8.

Figs. l1 and l2 are enlarged transverse vertical sectional views through devices for closing the outer carton flaps, taken respectively along lines l1-l1 and l212 of 10.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken generally along a line 13l.3 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical sectional view through the filler head, taken generally along a line i l-i4 in Fig. 2, and showing certain details of the top fiap manipulating elements.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, a preferred embodiment has been shown in the drawings and will be herein described in some detail, but it is to be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, the intention being, on the contrary, to cover all equivalents, modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the invention is here exemplified in a flap manipulating mechanism embodied in a particular packaging machine 59 adapted in this instance to receive ice cream in serni-luent form from a continuous freezer and to pack the same into paper cartons for retail distribution. The machine 58 is organized upon a caster-supported frame structure or table 51 having an enclosure which houses a main driving motor M and a pump driving motor PM, together with associated power transmitting mechanisms. The top 52 of the table 51 supports a carton feeding and transfer mechanism 53 which is adapted to present folded or knocked-down carton blanks C to a conveyor $4, the blanks being erected into open-ended tubular form as an incident to such transfer. Operatively associated with the conveyor 54 and also mounted on the table top 52 are carton flap closing devices 55 and 56 together with a carton filler head assembly 53. All of the carton handling devices just mentioned are driven in timed relation from the motor M through suitable gearing. With the foregoing arrangement each erected carton blank is moved into engagement with bottom flap closure means including a latching device 55, thence passing under the .illcr head assembly 5'8 where it receives a measured quantity of ice cream. The filled carton is thereupon moved into engagement with the top flap closure means including second latching device from which it is transferred to a discharge chute 59. in actual operation, the machine 50 fills cartons with remarkable speed and discharges them in a constant procession at a rate which is proportional to the discharge rate of the continuous freezer with which the machine is associated.

The feeding and transfer mechanism 53 comprises a magazine till adapted to hold a supply of the collapsed carton blanks C, a peeler wheel 2 for separating the blanks individually from the pack in the magazine, a rotary transfer turret 61 for transferring the carton blanks C to the conveyor 54, and erecting means cooperating with the turret and the conveyor so as to open the collapsed blanks into tabular form as they are presented to the conveyor. The feeding and transfer mechanism 53 forms no part of the present invention, an'dhcnce is not disclosed in detail in this application.

' For a detailed disclosure, reference should be had to our co-pending application, Serial No. 368,134, filed July 15,

1953 which discloses and claims the magazine as a distinct invention, and our co-pending application, Serial No. 255,074, filed November 16, 1951, now U. S. Patent No. 2,747,473, which discloses and claims the construction of the peeler wheel, transfer turret and erecting means. A complete disclosure of the feeding and transfer mech anism 53 is also contained in our original, parent application, Serial No. 18,034, filed March 30, 1948, and issued January 5, 1954 as Patent 2,665,044. All of these are assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

As illustrated in Fig. 7, each of the carton blanks C comprises a set of four flaps A, B, X and Y at its lower end. Identical flaps AA, BB, XX and YY are provided at its upper end. The flap B is generally rectangular and is adapted to be folded inwardly first when the carton C is to be closed. Next to be folded inwardly is the flap A which is opposite the flap B. The tlap Y is hooked and the flap X is slitted so that these parts may be latched to complete the closure.

Turning now to Figs. 3, 8 and 13, it will be perceived that the conveyor 54 is provided with a series of three sided gen :rnlly rectangular carton receptacles 13h adapted to receive the cartons C from the turret 61. In order to obtain lateral support for the outermost side of the blank C and thus retain the same in a fully erected or squared condition within the receptacle 130, a stationary horizontal side rail 12 is provided (Figs. 3 and 4), the leading end of such rail being supported upon a bracket 64A.

In the present instance the three-sided carton receptacles are mounted on a continuous horizontal loop of chain 131 stretched between an idler sprocket wheel 132 and a driving sprocket wheel 133, being guided by means of channel members 134 which also provide intermediate support. For purposes of protection, the conveyor is covered by an overlying oblong hood 135 of sheet metal.

The idler sprocket 132 is bolted or otherwise rigidly fixed to a hollow spool-like member 136 journaled for rotation upon an upstanding stationary shaft 138 located in the general vicinity of the transfer turret 61. On the other hand, the driving sprocket 133, which has the same diameter as the idler 132, is pinned or keyed to an upstanding rotatable shaft 139 (Fig. 14). The latter is driven from the motor M through a variable speed transmission 140, a gear box 140A, and a suitable shaft coupling 141 (Figs. l. and 2).

At spaced apart intervals, certain links in the conveyor chain 131 are provided with lateral extensions 142 which carry the three'sided carton receptacles 130. Preferably the spacing between successive ones of the extension 142 is such that the receptacles 139 will lie 120 degrees apart as they pass around the sprocket wheels 132, 133. Since each of the latter in the present instance has twelve teeth, every fourth link in the chain 131 is arranged to carry a receptacle 130.

Two distinct arrangements are utilized for closing the bottom flaps of the carton prior to filling of the same. One such arrangement serves to close the inner pair of bottom flaps A, B, while the other, heretofore referred to by the numeral 55, serves to close and latch the outer or interlocking bottom flaps X, Y.

Considering first the means for closing the inner flaps A, B, it will be noted upon reference to Figs. 4, and 6 that when the carton blank is finally positioned in the receptacle 130, the flap A occupies a leading position and the flap B a trailing position with respect to the direction in which the receptacle is moving. Consequently, before the carton has been moved very far, the lower edge of the leading flap A will be accosted by an inclined guide shoe 144 which commences to cam the flap A rearwardly and upwardly toward its closed position.

Provision is made for suddenly accelerating the trailing flap B and thereby moving the same into its fully closed position prior to closure of the flap A, such action taking place even after the shoe 144 has commenced the closure of the flap A. Furthermore, the foregoing acceleration of the flap B is achieved as an incident to the normal driving motion of the conveyor and without the use of parts moving independently thereof. To this end, the spool-like idler 136 of the conveyor is fashioned with an annular flange 145 (Figs. 4 and 5) of substantially greater diameter than that of the conveyor idler sprocket 132. Mounted in circumferentially spaced relationship along the periphery of the annular portion 145 and spaced at intervals corresponding to the spacing between successive ones of the receptacles are a plurality of upstanding tucking fingers 146. Each of the fingers 146 (Fig. 6) is formed with a curved knuckle portion 146A which in the present instance is defined by a reversely bent upper end portion.

With the foregoing construction, the linear velocity of any one of the fingers 146 at any particular instant will be substantially greater than the linear velocity of the conveyor chain 131 to which each of the receptacles 130 is attached. This is due to the difference in the diameters of the sprocket 132 and the flange 145, such difference making it possible for the fingers to move upon a greater radius than that upon which the chain 131 is driven. it will be noted from Fig. 2 that one of the fingers 146 trails behind each conveyor receptacle 139 as the latter swings in a semi-circular path around the sprocket 132. Along this semi-circular path, the angular velocity of the receptacle 130 is the same as that of the finger 146, while the linear speed of the receptacle is somewhat greater than that of the chain 131, due to the fact that the radius of the path of the receptacle is greater than the radius of the sprocket 132. As the receptacle 130 approaches the end of its semicircular path, it is presented with one of the cartons C. When the receptacle 130 and the carton C reach the point at which the chain 131 departs tangentially from the sprocket 132, they are slowed down to the speed of the chain, and thereafter they follow a linear path. This slowing down of the carton allows the finger 146 to overtake the carton flap B. Turning once more to Fig. 6, this overtaking tendency is illustrated graphically, the linear advance of the receptacle and carton being indicated by the distance d and the component of linear advance of the finger 146 during the same time interval being represented by the substantially greater distance D. By reason of the relationship just described, at about the time the shoe 144 initiates closing movement of the leading flap A, the knuckle 146A of the finger 146 cams hard against the trailing flap B at a point close to the hinge line of the flap. Since the finger 146 is moving faster relative to the carton C than the shoe 144, and further since the finger contacts the flap B near the hinge line whereas the shoe 144 contacts the flap A at its lower end, the flap B will be suddenly swung to a closed position substantially before closure of the flap A. The latter when closed, however, serves to retain the flap B in a closed position as the carton is moved into engagement with the outer bottom flap closure device 55. During this time, the outer bottom fiaps X, Y hang in depending relation to the carton body and straddle the shoe 144.

With further motion of the conveyor driven receptacles 130, the erected carton is slid along the horizontal portion of the shoe-144 in such a manner that its interlocking flaps X, Y enter an inverted tunnel 148. The shoe 144 thereupon terminates and the weight of the carton is then borne by a stationary guide or plow member 149 disposed longitudinally of the tunnel 148 and in spaced apart relation with its side walls. The interior of the tunnel 148 is formed with an appropriate contour to define a plurality of stationary longitudinal guiding elements (Fig. 11) which gradually arch the flaps X, Y over the plow member 149 and latch them in a manner well known in the art. After the carton has completed its passage along the tunnel 148, all four bottom flaps are securely closed and the carton is then presented by the re ceptacle 13!) to the filler head assembly 58.

Concurrently with the closure of the leading and trailinner bottom flaps by the shoe 144 and the finger 146, the top flaps are brought into engagement with an overlying horizontally disposed shoe 150 having an upwardly inclined end portion 156A (Figs. 8 and 10). The edges of the portion 150A diverge laterally toward the horizontal portion of the shoe 150. As the carton moves toward the tunnel 148, the leading inner top flap AA is accosted by the inclined portion 156A of the shoe 150 and is flattened down rearwardly over the carton body. The other inner top flap BB is also urged downwardly by the portion ESdA but assumes a trailing horizontal position with respect to the carton body. At the same time, the upstanding outer top flaps XX, YY cam into engagement with the diverging edges of the inclined portion 150A of the shoe and consequently assume a generally horizontal, outwardly extending position with respect to the carton body. Due to the marginal overlap of the shoe 150 over the end of the carton body, the top flaps are maintained in the condition just described until the carton is presented to the filler head assembly 58.

The filler head assembly 58 is adapted to fill the cartons C with ice cream as they are moved around the conveyor sprocket 133 on the conveyor 54. The means whereby the cartons C are filled form no part in themselves of the present invention, and hence are not disclosed in detail in this application. These means are claimed as a distinct invention in our aforementioned, parent application, now Patent 2,665,044, to which reference may be had for a complete disclosure.

For the present purpose, it will suffice to note that the filler head assembly comprises a stationary semicircular bed 51 upon which the cartons C are permitted to slide in an arcuate path, an adjustable double guide rail ltSlA being mounted around the periphery of the bed to preclude dislodgement of the cartons from the conveyor receptacles 130. Disposed in concentric and overlying relationship above the bed 151 is a rotatable annular valve member 154, secured to the shaft 139, and a stationary annular valve member 155 which abuts against the upper surface of the rotatable member 154.

To supply ice cream to the filler head assembly 58, three discharge lines 159, 160 and 161, leading from three separate freezers, may be connected to the stationary valve member 155. The valve members 154 and 3.55 are ported to supply the ice cream for predetermined intervals to three compartmented funnels 165 dependingly mounted on the member 154. From the funnels 165, the ice cream passes directly into the cartons C, which are carried along the bed 151 in registration with the funnels. Shortly before the filling operation takes place, the carton C will be moved upwardly against the end of the funnel 165 by means of a slight cam rise 168 (Fig. 10) in the annular bed 151.

Provision is made for manipulating the upper flaps on the cartons C. so that these flaps will not impede the flow of ice cream into the cartons. To this end, a top llap manipulating wheel 153 (Figs. 8, 10 and 14) is secured to the shaft 139 in concentric, overlying relationship to the bed 151. As indicated earlier herein, the erected cartons C are presented to the tiller head assembly with three of the top flaps extending outward from the carton body but with one of the inner top flaps, namely AA, disposed in a semi-closed condition over the carton body. In order to open out the flap AA in preparation for the filling operation, the flap manipulating wheel 153 is formed with a series of angularly spaced spokes 166, each having an upturned leading edge portion. The relative phasing of the wheel 153 and the moving carton receptacles 13a is such that a spoke 166 will accost the inside surface of the flap AA as a carton slides onto the bed 151 of the filler head assembly 58. At this point the carton C has not yet started around the sprocket 133 and is still moving in a straight line at the speed of the chain 1-31. This speed is proportional to the diameter of the sprocket 133. However, the spoke 166is moving at a greater speed because it is traveling in a circle of greater diameter. For this reason, the spoke 166 will gain on the carton C and open out the flap AA to a forwardly extending position. This flap-opening operation occurs before thecarton C starts to swing in a circular path around the sprocket 133. As the carton C enters this circular path it is accelerated by the chain 131 so that the speed of the carton will be proportional to the diameter of its path. While the carton is swinging around th sprocket it moves at the same angular velocity as the spoke 166, so that contact is maintained between the spoke and the flap AA. In order that the spokes 166 may extend parallel to the edges of the fiaps AA, the spokes are slanted rearwardly with respect to the direction of motion of the wheel 153.

Provision is made for closing the top flaps of the carton C after the filling operation has been completed. For the purpose of closing these flaps in proper sequence, an arrangement closely similar to that already described in connection with the bottom flaps is utilized. Accordingly, the flap mainipulating wheel 153 (Figs. 8 and i0) is provided with a second set of angularly spaced spokes 217 alternating with the spokes 166. Each spoke on the second set is fashioned with an upturned, forwardly projecting end portion or finger 218, which is adapted to engage the trailing inner top flap BB. As the cartons C reach the point where the conveyor chain 131 departs tangentially from the sprocket 133, the cartons slow down from a speed proportional to their radial distance from the axis of the shaft 139 to a speed proportional to the radius of the sprocket. However, the finger 213 continues to move at a relatively high speed proportional to its own radius, and thus is able to overtake the flap BB and sweep across the top of the carton C so as to close the flap. As the flap BB is being closed, the leading inner top flap AA is accosted by the upwardly sloping end portion 219 of a stationary guide shoe 220 overlying the linear path of carton travel. This closes the flap AA over the flap BB but leaves the outer or interlocking top flaps XX, YY, in upstanding relationship on either side of the shoe 220.

With further movement of the conveyor and receptacle 130, the filled carton is moved under a tunnel 148A in the closure device 56 (Figs. 8, 10 and 12). The tunnel 148A is the inverted counterpart of the tunnel 148 used for interlocking the outer bottom flaps prior to filling and includes a stationary longitudinal plow 149A similar to the plow 1-49. The tunnel 148A serves to latch and fold down the interlocking top flaps XX, YY, in a well known manner, thereby completing the packaging opera tion.

As the closed cartons leave the tunnel 148A, each is gradually stripped from its associated receptacle by a fixed lateral guide 221 (Figs. 2 and 8) which positions the carton for entry into the discharge chute 59. Each carton is given a parting shove along the chute 59 by the longer side of its receptacle 136. With steady opera tion of the machine 50, a procession of cartons forms within the chute 59 with the results that each newly added carton displaces a prior one at the discharge end of the chute.

Since the operation of the machine has already been discussed in detail, a lengthy summary seems unnecessary at this point. It is believed, however, that a brief review might be helpful here. Thus carton blanks in collapsed or knock-down form are inserted in a stack in the magazine 60. One blank at a time is positively separated from the stack by the peeler wheel 92 and presented. to the transfer turret 61. As the turret rotates, the carton blank is partially erected and presented to an adjacent three-sided receptacle 13% carried by the conveyor 54, the blank being pressed into a fully erected position as it enters the receptacle. After closure of the inner bottom flaps A, B, by the moving finger 146 and the stationary shoe 144, the carton is slid along over the tunnel 148 wherein the outer bottom flaps are closed and latched. At the same time the upper flaps BB, XX and YY are folded outwardly by the shoe 150, while the flap AA is folded inwardly. The carton then enters the filler head assembly 58 where the flap AA is opened by the spoke 166 on the wheel 153. The carton is then filled through one of the funnels 165. As the carton leaves the assembly 58, the inner top flaps AA, BB, are closed by the moving finger 218 and the end 219 of the shoe 220. Further travel of the carton moves it under a second tunnel 148A similar to the tunnel 148 and thus the final closure and interlocking of the outer top flaps XX, YY is completed. Following this, the filled carton is stripped from the receptacle 130 and directed into the discharge chute 59 by the lateral guide 221.

We claim for our invention:

1. In a mechanism for closing cartons having outwardly hinged end flaps, the combination of a first rotatable wheel member, a flexible conveying member mounted in driving engagement with the periphery of said first wheel member, a receptacle carried by said conveying member and adapted to receive a carton having one of its end flaps trailing with respect to the direction of receptacle movement, a second wheel member of substantially greater diameter than said first wheel member and coaxial with the latter, said wheel members being rotatable as a unit, and a finger fixed to said second wheel member for rotation therewith upon a radius greater than that of said first wheel member and said flexible conveying member, said finger having a linear velocity greater than that of said receptacle and the carton therewith as said receptacle and the carton depart tangentially from said first wheel member and move at the linear velocity of said flexible tension member, said finger being adapted to overtake the trailing flap of the latter and swing the same forward to a closed position.

2. In a mechanism for closing cartons having outwardly hinged end flaps, the combination comprising a sprocket wheel, a conveyor chain mounted in driving engagement with the periphery of said sprocket wheel, a receptacle carried by said conveyor chain and adapted to receive a carton with one of its end flaps trailing with respect to the direction of receptacle movement, a wheel member coaxial with but of substantially greater diameter than said sprocket wheel, said sprocket wheel and said wheel member being rotatable as a unit, and a finger mounted on said wheel member for rotation therewith upon a radius greater than that of said sprocket wheel and said conveyor chain, said finger having a linear velocity component sufliciently greater than that of said conveyor chain to overtake the trailing flap of said carton and accelerate the same forward to a closed position as said receptacle and the carton therein depart tangentially from said sprocket wheel and move bodily with said conveyor chain.

3. In a machine for packaging material into cartons having outwardly hinged end flaps, the combination of a conveyor wheel, a flexible conveying member disposed in driving engagement with the periphery of said conveyor wheel, a receptacle carried by said conveying member and adapted to receive a carton, a flap manipulating wheel member of substantially greater diameter than said conveyor Wheel and coaxial with the latter, said wheel member and said conveyor wheel being rotatable as a unit, a pair of spokes unitary with said flap manipulating wheel and having a component of linear velocity substantially greater than that of said tension member, one of said spokes being adapted to overtake said receptacle and the carton as said receptacle and the carton approach said conveyor wheel tangentially prior to filling of the carton and to open out the leading flap thereof to a forwardly extending position, the other of said spokes being adapted to overtake said receptacle and the carton as they depart tangentially from said conveyor wheel after filling of the carton and to swing the trailing flap thereof forward to a closed position.

4. In a mechanism for manipulating hinged end flaps on cartons, the combination comprising a rotatable wheel element, a flexible conveying element trained part way around said wheel element in driving engagement therewith and extending tangentially thereto, a receptacle carried by said conveying element outwardly thereof for receiving a carton, said receptacle being movable with said conveying element in a curved path extending around said wheel element and in a pair of straight paths extending tangentially to said curved path, a flap manipulating member mounted on said wheel element and overtaking the carton and folding a flap thereof in the direction of movement thereof as the carton moves along one of said straight paths adjacent its point of tangency with said curved path.

5. In a mechanism for manipulating hinged end flaps on cartons, the combination comprising a rotatable wheel element, a flexible conveying element trained part way around said wheel element in driving engagement therewith and extending tangentially thereto, a receptacle carried by said conveying element outwardly thereof for receiving a carton and moving the carton around said wheel element in a curved path and tangentially into and out of said curved path in first and second straight paths. and a flap manipulating arm rigidly connected to said wheel element and extending outwardly therefrom for overtaking the carton as it approaches said wheel element along said first straight path and folding a flap of said carton in the direction of movement thereof.

6. In a mechanism for manipulating hinged end flaps on cartons, the combination comprising a rotatable wheel element, a flexible conveying element trained part way around said wheel element in driving engagement therewith and extending tangentially thereto, a receptacle carried by said conveying element outwardly thereof for receiving a carton and moving the carton around said wheel element in a curved path and tangentially into and out of said curved path in first and second straight paths, and a flap manipulating arm rigidly connected to said wheel element and extending outwardly therefrom for overtaking the carton as it departs tangentially from said wheel element along said second straight path and folding a flap of said carton in the direction of movement thereof.

7. In a mechanism for manipulating hinged end flaps on cartons, the combination comprising a rotatable wheel element, a flexible conveying element trained part way around said wheel element in driving engagement therewith and extending tangentially thereto, a receptacle carried by said conveying element outwardly thereof for receiving a carton and moving the carton around said Wheel element in a curved path and tangentially into and out of said curved path in first and second straight paths, and first and second flap manipulating arm elements rigidly connected to said wheel element and extending outwardly therefrom, said first flap manipulating arm element being disposed to overtake a first flap of the carton as the carton approaches said wheel element along said first straight path and to fold the first flap in the direction of movement of the carton, said second flap manipulating arm element being disposed to overtake a second flap of the carton and fold the second flap in the direction of movement of the carton as the latter departs from said wheel along said second straight path.

No references cited.

Images