US2948097A - Box forming machine - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 9, 1960 J. P. MANCUSO ETAL BOX FORMING MACHINE Original. Filed June 8, 1954 6 Sheeis-Sheat 1 P a Anp/ 174124147 g- 1960 J. P. MANcuso ETAL BOX FORMING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 8, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I l I l I I I l l I'M llq l mm QN w m H I g- 1960 J. P. MANCUSO AL BOX FORMING MACHINE Original Filed June 8, 1954 Aug. 9, 1960 J. P. MANCUSO ET AL 2,948,097

BOX FORMING MACHINE Original Filed June 8, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 9, 1960 .1. P. MANCUSO ETAL 2,948,097

BOX FORMING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed June 8, 1954 BOX FORMING MACHINE Joseph P. Mancuso, Jamesburg, and Robert R. Maifett,

Westfield, N.J., assignors to Robert E. Bauer, Wyndmoor, Pa.

Original application June 8, 1954, Ser. No. 435,154,

now Patent No. 2,860,549, dated Nov. 18, 1958. Divided and this application. Sept. 30, 1958, Ser. No. 773,534

4 Claims. (Cl. 53-296) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in packaging machines and more particularly to new and useful improvements in machines for forming a paper or cardboard box, inserting an article in the box and then sealing the box with cellophane or like material.

This application is a division of our co-pending application, filed Iune 8, 1954, Serial Number 435,154, now Patent No. 2,869,549, dated November 18, 1958.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel packaging machine wherein a continuous supply of box blanks may be fed to the machine and formed into boxes which receive the articles to be packaged and are then automatically sealed by the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel packaging machine wherein a box blank may be rapidly and automatically formed into a finished box.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel packaging machine wherein an article, such as a pie plate is automatically inserted into a finished box positioned beneath a supply of the articles carried by and automatically fed one at a time by the packaging machine.

A further object of the present invention is to provide States Patent a novel packaging machine wherein sheets of cellophane or like material are automatically severed from a continuous roll and secured across the open upper end of a finished box being conveyed longitudinally of the machine.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel packaging machine having the features and characteristics set forth which is of relatively simplified construction, operates automatically with a minimum amount of attention by the operator, and is highly efljcient and effective in operation and use.

These and other objects of the present invention and the various features and details of the operation and construction thereof are hereinafter more fully set forth and described with reference to the accompanying. drawings, in which:

Fig. l i a side elevational view of the box forming and packaging machine of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a box blank which is folded and assembled by the machine of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a box blank in the assembled position with the pie plate and pie positioned therein;

Fig. 4 is a perspective w'ew of the completed package formed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the cellophane feeding and applying mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view of the cellophane applying apparatus taken on line 6-6, Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 77, Fig. 5 illustrating the cellophane feeding and cutting mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the cellophane maintaining the cellophane in position on the feed table.

Fig. 13 is an inverted plan view partially in section taken on line 13-43, Fig. 1 illustrating the drive mechanism for the cellophane feeding and applying apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 1414-, Fig. 13 illustrating the intermittent feed of the present invention; and, i

Fig. 15 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 14 with the drive mechanism in an advanced position.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and particularly Fig. 1 thereof, the packaging machine of the present invention consists of four general sections designated generally as A, B, C and D. At section A box blanks are fed from a stack of blanks one at a time to being conveyed longitudinally of the packaging machine from section A. At section C pies are manually inserted into the pie plates which are positioned in the boxes; and the pies, pie plates and boxes are then conveyed to section D of the machine wherein a cellophane strip. is positioned over the open upper end of each filled box and secured to the box to complete the packaging operation.

This packaging machine is operable to receive a box blank 51 formed, for example, as shown in Fig. 2, and fold the box blank 51 into a box 52, asshown in Fig. 3. A pie plate 53 is then inserted into the box 52 by the Packaging machine and a pie 54 is manually placed into the pie plate 53 in the box 52 while the box is being moved longitudinally of the machine. After these operations are completed, a strip of cellophane 55 is automatically positioned and glued across the open upper face of the filled box to form the finished product shown in Fig. 4.

The box blank 51 comprises a central base portion 56 having a pair of side wall forming flaps 57, 57 and a pair of end wall forming flaps 58, 58 integrally secured thereto along fold lines 57:: and 58a, respectively. Each end wall forming flap 58 has a pair of generally triangular flaps 59,59foldably connected to the outer upper edge thereof adapted to extend across the corners of the open upper end of the finished box. The triangular flaps 59, in turn, have locking tabs 61 secured tothe outer side edge thereof which outwardly overlie the side wall forming flaps 57 and are locked in position in locking slits 62 in the ends of the side wall forming flaps 57 to maintain the box in its formed position. While the packaging machine of the present invention is illustrated and described in conjunction with the forming and folding, of the blank 51, it is apparent that the pack- ,aging machine may be readily adapted to fold other 3 gear reducer 66. The shafts 6'4 and 65, as more fully described hereinafter, operate the mechanism for feeding and forming the box blanks, conveying the formed boxes longitudinally of the machine, inserting a pie plate into the box and securing a sheet of cellophane over the open upper surface of the box.

Inaccordance with the present invention, a stack of box blanks 51 is supported at the feed end of the packaging machine and the box blanks are automatically formed into boxes one at a time. The boxes are then conveyed longitudinally of the machine toward the discharge end thereof. Fig. 1 discloses generally the box blank feeding and forming mechanism of the packaging machine of the present invention. As illustrated in Fig. 1, a stack of the box blanks is positioned between a plurality of guide posts 67 and a weighted member 68 is placed on top of the stack of box blanks to force the same downwardly in the machine.

The boxes are formed in Section A of the machine, 'for example, as described in the above identified Patent N0.'2,860,549, dated November 18, 1958, and then pass stations B and C where the boxes are filled as described in said patent.

Figs. to 15, inclusive, illustrate the construction and operation of section D of the machine wherein the cello phane strips 55 are secured across the open upper end of the box 52. The mechanism in section D of the machine and the conveyor 162 are driven by the main drive shaft 65 of the machine which extends out from the rear edge of the gear reducer 66. With reference to Fig. 13, the main drive shaft 65 drives a stub shaft 201 by means of a chain drive passing over a pair of sprockets 202 and 203 secured to the shafts 65 and 201, respectively. By this construction the shaft 201 is continuously rotated in one direction. A shaft 205 extending transversely of the packaging machine also is rotated continuously in one direction by means of a pair of bevel gears 206, 206 interconnecting the shaft 205 and the main drive shaft 65. This shaft 205 has a sprocket 207 thereon which drives a part of the feed mechanism at Section D of the machine. In addition, a pair of drive sprockets 208 and 209 are driven intermittently through intermittent drive mechanism designated generally as 211 which is actuated by rotation of the shaft 205. The sprocket 209, in turn, engages the endless chain conveyor 162 and causes intermittent actuation thereof.

With reference to Figs. 13, 14, and the intermittent drive mechanism 211 consists essentially of an eccentric 212 pinned to the shaft 205 and rotatably mounting a rocker arm 213. The arm 213 carries a pair of pivot pins 214 and 215 at the opposite ends thereof which in turn mount tongue members 216 and 217 adapted to be inserted into slots 218 in a drive wheel 219. The one pivot pin 214 at the right hand side of the bushing, with respect to Fig. 14, has a slot 221 in the lower edge thereof which is engaged over a guide strip 222 secured to one wall of the housing for the intermittent drive mechanism 211. This construction permits the rocker 213 to be oscillated about the pivot pin 214 while the pin 214 is sliding longitudinally of the guide strip 222. Rotation of the eccentric 212 in the clockwise direction, with respect to Fig. 14, along with the shaft 205 will first cause the left hand end of the rocker 213 to be moved upwardly pivoting the rocker clockwise about the pivot pin 214. At the same time the right hand end of the rocker is moved to the right with respect to Fig. 14 along the guide strip 222.

When the left hand end of the rocker 213 reaches its highest position due to rotation of the eccentric 212, the tongue 217 carried thereby will have moved to the right relative to the drive wheel 219 and be engaged in axis of the packaging machine.

direction with respect to Fig. 15. When the rocker reaches its lowest limit position due to rotation of the eccentric 212 the finger 217 carried at the left hand end of the rocker is moved to the left with respect to Fig. 15 and is disengaged from the slot 218. A guide arm 220 pivotally mounted on the shaft 205 is slidably engaged by a groove in the pivot pin 215 and maintains the tongue 217 in position for engagement in a drive wheel slot 218. Continued rotation of the eccentric 212 will cause the tongue 217 on the rocker to repeat this cycle of operation and thus translate the continuous rotation of the shaft 205 in the clockwise direction relative to Figs. 14 and 15, into intermittent rotation of the drive wheel 219 in the counter-clockwise direction relative to Figs. 14 and 15. A positive amount of incremental movement of the drive wheel 219 is assured by means of the holding tongue 216 carried by the pivot 214 at the right hand end of the rocker 213. The tongue 216 is so positioned that it is engaged in a slot 218 when the tongue 217 is disengaged from a slot 218 and upon engagement of the finger 217 in a slot 218 the finger 216 is disengaged from a slot in the drive wheel.

As a box 52 (see Fig. 6) is moved longitudinally of the machine by the chain conveyor 162 it is brought into engagement with a first box positioner 225 operable to properly position the box relative to the longitudinal This box positioner 225 has a flared entrance opening 226 at the inlet end thereof which engages the forward end of the box and transposes the box transversely of the packaging machine to its proper position. Further longitudinal movement of a box by the conveyor 162 brings the box into engagement with a second box positioner 227 which positions and maintains the box in a predetermined position while glue is being applied along the upper portions of the two opposite end walls of the box.

While the box is held stationary beneath the second box positioner 227, a pair of ball point glue applicators 228, 228 are moved transversely of the packaging machine with the rotatable ball point of the glue applicators in engagement with the upper portions of the end walls of the box beneath the box positioner 227. Glue is fed to the ball points of the applicators from a glue vat 231 through a pair of flexible hoses 232, 232. By this construction there is always a supply of glue at the ball points of the applicators and the glue is readily applied to the desired portions of the box upon actuation of the glue applicators 228, 228. The glue applicators are caused to move transversely of the packaging machine by means of a glue cam 233 formed for example as illustrated in Fig. 8 and secured to the stub shaft 201. A cam follower 234 carried by an arm 235 is in engagement with the peripheral surface of the glue cam 233 and a tension spring 236 connected to the arm 235 maintains the cam follower in engagement with the surface of the cam 233. In addition a yoke portion 237 formed integrally with the inner end of the arm 235 embraces the shaft 205 thus guiding the movement of the arm 235. A glue lever 238 having its lower end pivotally secured to the arm 235, for example as indicated at 241 in Fig. 8, is pivotally secured at its mid point to the frame of the packaging machine, for example as indicated at 242. During rotary movement of the stub shaft 201 and the cam 233 the cam follower 234 is caused to move transversely of the packaging machine and oscillation of the glue lever 238 is effected about its pivot point 242.

With reference to Fig. 9, the upper end of the glue lever 238 is pivotally secured through a connecting link to a cross-head 243 which is mounted for reciprocation transversely of the packaging machine on a guide 244. The cross-head 243 has a pair of downwardly extending arms 245, 245 at opposite sides thereof which carry the ball point glue applicators 228, 228 and maintain the applicators in their set ppsitions relative to the end walls of the box 52 which is positioned beneath thesecond box positioner 227.

The rotation of the shaft 201 is timed with respect to the intermittent operation of the conveyor 162 so that the conveyor 162 stops with a box beneath the box positioner 227 and then the glue cam is caused to. actuate the lever 238 and the glue applicators 228, 228 to thereby apply glue to the opposite end walls of the. box. The conveyor 162 is then moved a further step. positioning a second box beneath the box positioner 227 and the gluing operation is repeated.

It should be noted that the application of glue. is. accomplished by a single traverse of the. glue applicator.

With reference to Fig. 9, after glue is. applied tothe ends of the box 52 it is. moved longitudinally of the packaging machine to the position shown in the center of Fig. 9 wherein the box is ready to receive a strip of cellophane 55. The cellophane is in continuous roll form 247 and is carried on a roll 247a supported in hearings in a bracket 248' extending upwardly from the packaging machine. Pivotally supported in the bracket 248' above the roll 247 by trunnions 249a, 249a is a conventional cellophane printer 249, for example of a type similar to model No. 40 manufactured by the American Marking Corp. The printer 249 has a rotatable printing drum 24% at one end thereof which prints any desired matter on the surface of the cellophane web as it is drawn from the roll 247. I The cellophane then passes: over a first idler roll 250 and then a tensioning roll 251 carried by a pair of pivotally mounted arms 252, 252 one of which has one end of a brake. strap 253 secured thereto.

The opposite end of the strap passes over and around on extended end portions of the cellophane supporting roll and is fixedly secured to the bracket 248; Thus the. roll 251 and associated arms 252 are yieldably sup ported with respect to the cellophane web and the weight of such suspended units utilized to exert a drag on the cellophane roll placing the cellophane web under tension. In addition, pressure applying means indicated at 252a may be used in an obvious manner to vary the degree of tension.

The opposite end of the cellophane supporting roll 247a is provided with an annular recess 24711 which is adapted to receive a disc-like member secured to one end of a laterally adjustable hand screw carried in the bracket 248. Such means indicated generally at 247e, provides adjustment of the cellophane supporting roll transversely of the machine to insure proper longitudinal alignment of the cellophane web.

In accordance with the present invention means are provided to feed the cellophane intermittently, cut off a strip of cellophane of predetermined length, and apply the cellophane to the finished box across the open upper end thereof. To accomplish this, upper and lower feed rolls 254 and 255, respectively, are driven intermittently from the intermittent rotating sprocket 208 (see Fig. 131) through a chain 256, sprockets 256a and 25617 which drives a sprocket 257 secured to a shaft 258 mounting the lower feed roll 255, for example as illustrated in Fig. 8. A pair of gears 259, 259 interconnect the upper and lower feed rolls 254 and 255 to eifect simultaneous rotation thereof.

While the lower feed roll 255 is mounted in bearings fixedly secured in the bracket 248, the uppermost .roll 254 is journalled in bearing blocks 254a, 254a yieldably supported in guideways formed therein. Compression springs 263, 263 backing up the bearing blocks normally maintain the roll 254 in pressure contact relationship with the roll 255 to elfect feeding of the cellophane web. However, should it be desired to interrupt the feed thereof at any time while the machine is in motion, manual means is provided in the form of a readily accessible hand lever shown at 161. Having a pair of spaced parallel legs pivotably supported on the bracket 1 48. at 262, 262, the free ends thereof extend beyond the pivots and lie beneathpin projections on the bearing blocks 254a, 254a. Pressure applied by way of the handle portion eifects the separation of the, rolls 254, 255. in obvious manner and discontinues the feeding thereof. Such operation thereof is also desirable in initially introducing the cellophane web during set-up.

As the cellophane leaves the feed rolls 254 and 255 it passes downwardly over a feed and cutting table 26 4. With reference to Figs. 9 and 13 upper and lower guide wires 265 and 266 extend rearwardly from vertically spaced supporting blocks 267 and 268, respectively. Substantially with the surface of the feed table 264 they span the intervening space between the end of said table and the feed rolls and pass partially around grooves provided in the peripheral surfaces of the feed rolls 254 and 255. The confronting faces of the several sets of guide wires are relatively off-set vertically to opposite sides of a common plane (see Fig. 12) so as to. effect a rippling longitudinally of the. cellophane web as. it passes therebetween thereby imparting rigidity to the web in order that it be projected accurately across the sur face of the feed table during high speed operation of the machine. The feed rolls 254 and 255 stop operation when the leading edges of the strip of cellophane has reached the position illustrated in Fig. 9 and is overlying the leading end of the box positioned beneath the cellophane applying station.

After the feed rolls have advanced the cellophane on the feed table 2654 to the position indicated, a disc-type knife 271 formed, for example as illustrated in Fig. 9, and having a cutting edge thereon which cooperates with a stationary cutting edge 272 carried by the feed table 264 is actuated to cut the sheet of cellophane into the desired length for later application over the open upper end of the finished box. The knife 271is moved transversely of the feed table 26.4 when it is desired to cut the cellophane. Actuation of the knife is caused by the glue cam 233 which also operates the ball point glue applicators 228, 228. This is accomplished by means of a connecting rod 273 pivotal'ly secured to the glue lever 238, for example as. illustrated at 27'4 in Fig. 8. The upper end of the rod 273 is secured to a knife bracket 275 which in turn is slidably mounted on a square shaft 276 extending transversely of the packaging machine. The knife 271 is in the form of a roller of frusto-conical section having a concave face (see Fig. 9) and is resiliently secured to the forward edge of the knife bracket 275, for example by means of an adjusting bolt 277 and a spring 278 which forces the knife blade forwardly into engagement against the cutting edge 272 provided in the surface of the feed table 264. From the foregoing it will beJobvious the knife is self-sharpening.

The knife may be lifted out of action manually by means of a handle provided at 276a which attaches to one end of the shaft 276, said shaft being supported for rotative movement in a pair of fixed hearings on the feed table 264.

While the knife 271 and the glue applicator 228 are being actuated, a pair of continuously rotating brush rolls 281, 281 are lowered and then elevated to force the leading edge of the strip of cellophane on the feed table downwardly along the end of a box positioned beneath the feed table and into engagement with a strip of glue on'the end of the box to thereby secure the cellophane to the box. The pair of brushes 281, 281 are driven from the continuously rotating sprocket 207 as shown in Fig. d3 which in turn drives a sprocket 282 by means of a conventional chain. A second chain drive passing over a sprocket 283 rotatable with the sprocket 282 drives a pair of sprockets 284, 284 secured to shafts 285, 285 mounting the brush rolls 281, 281. While these brush rolls 281, 281 are rotating, a brush cam 286 mounted on the stub shaft 201 which also carried the glue cam 2.33 operates to lower the brushes 281, 281.

cellophane 55 against the trailing end of the box.

and cause the leading edge of the cellophane to be secured to the leading edge of the box. The brush cam 286 is engaged by a cam follower 287 which lowers a brush bracket 288. A pair of guide arms 289, 289, as shown in Fig. 8, extend downwardly from the brush bracket 288 and compression springs 291, 291 positioned about the arms 289, 289 urge the brush bracket 288 downwardly thereby actuating the brushes to their lower limit position when the cam follower 287 engages the low portions on the cam 286. By this construction it is apparent that the brushes 281, 281 rotate continuously and are intermittently lowered into position to wipe the lead ing edge of the cellophane into engagement with the leading end of a box. The conveyor 162 then operates to position the box at the next station of the packaging machine wherein the brushes 281, 281 wipe the trailing edge of the sheet of cellophane 55 into engagement with the strip of glue applied to the opposite end of the box. At the same time the brushes 281, 281 wipe the feeding edge of the next sheet of cellophane into engagement with the leading end of the next adjacent box.

Since the boxes being transported by the conveyor are pushed forwardly by the conveyor pins 163, means must be provided to position the box and maintain the box in the desired position when the brush roll is brought downwardly to wipe the trailing edge of the sheet of This is accomplished in the present invention by means of a positioning plate 292 which is movable between upper and lower limit positions by the brush bracket 283. The positioning plate 292 is pivotally secured, for example as indicated at 293 in Fig. 11, at a point to the left of its center of gravity to the lower end of a pair of arms 294, 294.

For this reason the plate When thus suspended freely will always tend to tilt clockwise about its pivot. The arms 294 are fixedly secured to a shaft 295 rotatably mounted in bearing supporting members 296, 296 extending upwardly from the bracket 288. A torsion spring 295a adjustably secured to one end of the shaft 295 serves to bias the shaft rotatively ina counterclockwise direction and to further supplement the pressure of the freely hung positioning plate. Means is provided at 2 95b to limit the extent of such movement. Proper adjustment of the device is obtained when the adjusting means 295!) is provided with a clearance with respect to the member 296 and the full weight of the plate 292 is effective on the top of the box 52 as shown in Fig. 9. When, however, the respective box is advanced by the conveyor 162 and thus removes its support of the plate 292, means 295!) functions to permit lowering of the pivot 293 to a point somewhat lower than normal box height while the plate tends to rotate in a clockwise direction due to gravity. This has the effect of concentrating the pressure of the plate against the leading edge of the incoming box on initial contact therewith, and then as the box continues to advance, returns the pivot 293 and plate to the positions shown in Fig. 9. In this position downward movement of the brush carrying bracket 288 is initiated with the resultant lowering of the plate supporting shaft 295. This relative shortening of the lever arms 294 causes the plate 292 to move along the box to the left thereby urging the box rearwardly into firm engagement with the conveyor pins 163 at the same time drawing the associated cellophane sheet 55 as the brush roll wipes down the trailing edge thereof. A blade 297 of Teflon or other glue resistant material having a bevelled edge and also secured to the bracket 288 applies holding pressure against the leading edge of the box during downward movement of the bracket and subsequent brushing operation preventing this glued edge of the cellophane from being loosened.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the present invention provides a novel packaging machine which forms 8. a box blank into a finished box, inserts an article into the box, then secures a sheet of cellophane over the box to seal the same and accomplishes these operations quickly and automatically. 7

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein it is not intended to limit the invention to such a disclosure and changes and modifications may be incorporated and embodied therein within the scope of the following claims:

We claim:

1. In a packaging machine operable to secure a sheet of cellophane or like material over the open upper end of a box, a conveyor operable to advance said boxes longitudinally of said machine, support means mounting a roll of said sheet material upwardly adjacent said conveyor, a downwardly inclined feed table over which said sheet material passes terminating at the lower end thereof adjacent said conveyor, means operable to feed said sheet material downwardly over said feed table, cutting means operable to engage and out said sheet material transversely into sheets of predetermined length, glue applying means mounted upwardly adjacent said conveyor operable to engage opposite ends of said box and apply glue thereto, said conveyor actuatable after glue is applied to said box to advance said box to a position beneath said feed table with the leading edge of said box beneath the lower end of said feed table, rotatable brush means mounted for vertical movement between upper and lower limit positions and operable during movement to its lower limit position to force the edge of said out sheet of mate rial against the glued end of said box, means operable to actuate said brush means between said upper and lower limit positions, and a positioning plate mounted adjacent said brushes and actuatable between upper and lower limit positions along with said brushes operable during movement to its downward limit position thereof to engage said box and force said box into engagement with said brushes.

2. In a packaging machine operable to secure a sheet of cellophane or like material over the open upper end of a box, a conveyor operable to advance said boxes longitudinally of said machine, intermittent drive means for said conveyor operable to advance said conveyor step by step longitudinally of said machine, support means mounting a roll of said sheet material upwardly adjacent said conveyor, a downwardly inclined feed table over which said sheet material passes terminating at the lower end thereof adjacent said conveyor, means including a pair of driven feed rolls operable to feed said sheet material downwardly over said feed table, a plurality of guide Wires extending longitudinally of said feed table in engagement with opposite sides of said sheet material stiffen the same, a cutter knife mounted for movement transversely with respect to said feed table and operable during said movement to engage and cut said sheet material transversely into sheets of predetermined length, means to actuate said cutter knife transversely of said feed table, glue applying means mounted upwardly adjacent said conveyor operable to engage opposite ends of said box and apply glue thereto, said conveyor actuatable after glue is applied to said box to advance said box to a position beneath said feed table with theleading edge of said box beneath the lower end of said feed table, rotatable brush means mounted for vertical movement between upper and lower limit positions and operable during movement to its lower limit position to force the edge of said cut sheet of material against the glued end of said box, said conveyor actuatable after the edge of said sheet of material is in engagement with the glued end of the box to advance said box to a position adjacent the opposite side of said brush means whereby said brush means force the opposite end of said sheet of material into engagement with the glue on the trailing end of said box, and a positioning plate mounted adjacent said 9 brushes and actuatable between upper and lower limit positions along with said brushes operable during movement toward its downward limit position thereof to engage said box and force the trailing end thereof into engagement with said brush means.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said glue applying means comprises a pair of spaced glue applicators mounted for movement transversely of said conveyor operable to engage opposite ends of said box simultaneously and apply glue thereto upon said transverse movement.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said glue applicators have rotatable ball points thereon oper- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Johnson et al. Nov. 23, 1915 1,545,912 Maxson July 14, 1925 1,598,381 Makowski Aug. 31, 1926 1,751,390 Brust Mar. 18, 1930 1,978,035 Thom Oct. 23, 1934

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