US2993319A

US2993319A - Carton sealing machine

Info

Publication number: US2993319A
Application number: US777022A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rene J Ganbert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-11-28
Filing date: 1958-11-28
Publication date: 1961-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 1978-07-25

Description

July 25, 1961 R. J. GAUBERT CARTON SEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 28, 1958 m5 QQ will/271111,

m m m m Rene J. fiauber/ A TTORNE Y5 July 25, 1961 R. J. GAUBERT CARTON SEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 28, 1958 H me mm H HH m- H .I H. M J A? 6 m n H} w 9. m o o J A mwwxlL 13w 1 s 3 www RN .llllll lull ||l||||| ||||||tri m M u 8% Q& Mm

ATTORNEYS July 25, 1961 R. J. GAUBERT CARTON SEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 28, 1958 INVENTOR Rene J Gauber/ ATTORA/[YJ y 1951 R. J. GAUBERT CARTON SEALING MACHINE mu mH-hH 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Rene J. Gal/barf I n @im l Filed Nov. 28, 1958 qm mHrhm-w ATTORNEY! July 25, 1961 R. J. GAUBERT CARTON SEALING MACHINE Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 28, 1958 INVENTOR. 26/76 .1 (fauber/ ATTOE'A/E Y5 m-M m-HL NQ July 25, 1961 R. J. GAUBERT CARTON SEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 28, 1958 July 25, 1961 R. J. GAUBERT CARTON SEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed NOV. 28, 1958 mo //4 & M m /42 h IE E IN V EN TOR Rene J Gauber/ ATTORNEY! July 25, 1961 R. J. GAUBERT 2,993,319

CARTON SEALING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. Aene J. Gouberf United States Patent Gfice Patented July 25, 1961 2,993,319 CARTON SEALING MACHINE Rene J. Gaubert, 4206 ()akmore Road, Oakland, Calif. Filed Nov. 28, 1958, Ser. No. 777,022 Claims. (Cl. 53-374) This invention relates to carton shaping and sealing machines, and is particularly concerned with machines of this character for use in the sealing and shaping of waxed paperboard cartons that have previously been filled with frozen foods.

Paperboard cartons conventionally used in the frozen food industry employ means for interlocking with the flaps. Cartons of this general type have a number of shortcomings. Principal among these are increased initial cost and an inability of the cartons filled with frozen material to be shaped to provide a flattened squared product. As a result, the filled cartons are not easily stacked or packaged with other cartons of the same type. Also, it is necessary that an expensive overwrapper be employed, to insure a protective airtight seal. These overwrappers require additional machinery, and added steps in the processing.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a carton sealing machine which can be used with cartons employing no interlocking means, and which will provide a filled, sealed carton that is flat on all sides so as to be easily stacked and packaged.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a carton sealing machine that will close and seal the carton sufiiciently Well that the carton is rendered airtight without the need of an overwrapper.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton sealing machine of the above character which is fully automatic in operation, and which operates to seal the carton on three sides and to apply pressure for the purpose of shaping the carton.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton shaping and sealing machine of the above character which operates in continuous fashion to carry cartons through the machine in successive operating steps so that the cartons can be filled, sealed and shaped, and then passed to final packaging.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURES 1A, 1B and 1C are a top plan view of a machine embodying the invention;

FIGURES 2A, 2B and 2C are aview in longitudinal sec. tion and elevation thereof;

FIGURES 3 to 6 are views in transverse section along the lines 3-3 to 66 of FIGURES 2B and 2C;

FIGURES 7A to 7E are views in perspective of a carton, illustrating the various stages in the operation of the machine; and

FIGURE 8 is a detail view along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 1B.

In general, the carton sealing machine of the present invention operates in conjunction with a prefabricated carton employing a top foldable cover having side and front flaps which are folded against the sides of the carton. The cartons are preferably waxed paperboard cartons of the type used for packaging frozen foods of various types. The machine performs the function of closing the top cover against the filled contents, folding and sealing the side and front flaps to the carton, and pressing the same against the carton and its contents to provide a filled, sealed carton having flat planar sides. When waxed paperboard cartons are employed, the machine also performs the function of dewaxing prior to the sealing and pressing of the flaps against the sides of the canton.

The preferred embodiment of the machine illustrated in the drawing comprises a frame including

respective side frames

10 and 12 spaced apart and supported by the end frames 14, crossbars 16, and the pedestal supports 18. The frame provides a mounting for means forming various operating stations in the machine including a first folding station 20, a first pressing station 22, a first dewaxing station 24, a first gluing station 26, a second folding station 28 (FIGURES 1C and 2C), a second pressing station 30, a transfer or turning station 32, a second dewaxing station 34 (FIGURES 1B and 2B), a second gluing station 36, a third folding station 38, and a third pressing station 40 (FIGURES 1A and 2A). There is some overlapping of the operation of station 22. As will appear, the pressure applied by this station is held continuously throughout the operations of stations 24 to 30.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a first linear conveyor 42 comprising the pair of endless chains 44 is associated with the operation of the stations 20' to 30 so that folding of the top cover of the cartons, folding the side flaps of the cover, sealing the side flaps and pressing the top and sides fiat (FIGURES 7A to 7C) is all accomplished in conjunction with such first linear conveyor. A second linear conveyor 46 comprising the pair of endless chains 48 is associated with the stations 36 to 40 so that the folding of the front flap of the cartons, sealing the front flap, and pressing the front flap fiat against the carton (FIGURE 7B) is all performed in conjunction with the second linear conveyor. The transfer station 32 is positioned between the first and second linear conveyors, and functions to rotate the cartons in sequence (FIGURES 7C and 7D) to facilitate their proper alinernent in the separate folding, sealing, and pressing operations.

The drive mechanism of the machine includes a suitable source of power such as an electric motor 50 (FIG- URES 1A and 2A) which functions through the power take-off and

gear box assembly

52, 53 and 54 to operate a drive shaft 56 journaled in the

side plates

10 and 12. The shaft 56 carries sprockets 58 for the chains of the second linear conveyor 46, which is looped about the additional sprocket and shaft assemblies 62, 63 and 64, 65 (FIGURES 2A and 2B). The shaft 65 of the latter, through the power take-off 66 (FIGURES 1B and 2B), operates the drive shaft 68 carrying sprockets 70 for the first linear conveyor 42. The conveyor 42 is additionally looped about the sprocket and shaft assemblies 74, and 76, 77. The shaft 65 also provides drive impetus for the transfer device 32 through the power take-off 78 (FIG- URE 6). The

conveyor drive shafts

56 and 68 have additional drive mechanisms of the machine connected thereto in a manner later described.

THE FIRST LINEAR CONVEYOR The first conveyor portion of the machine functions to receive cartons 81 one after another from a filling machine (not shown), Where a measured amount of food is introduced, and thereafter conveys them through the various operations performed at the stations 20 to 30. The body portions of the cartons received on the conveyor 42 are filled with the food, but the top cover 84 is open, as indicated in FIGURES 2C and 7A. Onceon the conveyor, the body of each carton is engaged by the rollers 86, attached at spaced intervals to the chains 44, and the carton is conveyed to the left as viewed in FIG- URE 2C. The cartons are subsequently guided on the conveyor by the lower support rails 88 and by the side rails 90. The conveyor chains 44 are supported in their upper reach by the longitudinal supports 92 secured to the outermost rails 88. As will be understood, the cartons centered and supported by the

rails

88 and 90 will be engaged at spaced intervals by the rollers 86 and but which solidifies when it cools.

sealing the flaps 130 is preferred because the cartons themselves are impregnated with wax.

carton moving through the gluing station.

moved positively forward until the rollers 86 disengage from the cartons as they pass downwardly about the shaft 68.

First folding and pr ssing stations In the illustrated embodiment, the functions of closing the cover 84 of a carton against the food contents 82, and of applying pressure to squeeze the contents, is performed at the

stations

20 and 22 by the overhead, endless belts 100. These belts are reeved about

pulleys

102 and 104 on the

overhead shafts

106 and 108. The

shafts

106 and 108 also carry sprockets 1'10 and 112 about which are looped drive chains 114. These chains and the "shaft 108 are driven by a power take-ofi 113 from the drive shaft 68 through the gears 116 and 118 (FIGURES 1B and 2B).

Referring particularly to FIGURE 2C, it will be seen that the chains 114 carry pairs of spaced guide members 120 and folding elements 122, which extend transversely of the machine. These spaced elements cooperate with the belts 100 and the rollers 86 of the conveyor 42 to first fold the top cover 84 downward against the con tents of the package and then to partially fold a front flap portion 124 of the top cover about the fold line 126. This operation is clearly illustrated in the two right hand positions of the cartons 81 in FIGURE 2C. The belts 100 and

transverse elements

120, 122 also function to squeeze the contents of the cartons 81, so as to flatten the top cover 84 of the carton, and to hold this pressure throughout the remaining operations of the first conveyor (i.e. as performed at stations 24 to 30). Maintenance of continuous uniform pressure is insured by the passage of the belts and

transverse elements

120, 122 beneath the longitudinally extending presser elements 128, as particularly shown in FIGURE 5.

First dewnxing sta'tion As waxed paperboard cartons are normally used in portions 130 of the cover, and the sides 129 of the carton, are preferably dewaxed prior to the application of adhesive. This operation is performed at the dewaxing station 24 by the cartridge heaters 132. These heater units are mounted on the frame and support heat trans- 'fer or contact elements 134 and ribbed upper guides 136. They also are spaced so that their inner surfaces will contact the sides 129 of the cartons. As illustrated in FIG- the packaging of frozen foods, the extending side flap URE 20, the contact elements 134 have downwardly inclined entry portions 138 which insure that the flaps 130 will pass above the heating elements, and between the contacts 134 and guides 136. As the cartons pass through the dewaxing station, the wax coating on the flaps 130 and sides 129 is melted and removed.

First gluing station dip into tanks 144 containing a suitable adhesive material and are rotated into contact with the lower or inner surface of the flaps 1'30. Contact is maintained by the upper pressure rollers 142. The adhesive in the tanks 144 is preferably a special wax which is kept hot in the tanks, The use of wax in The rate of application of adhesive by the rollers 144 is preferably the same as the linear rate of speed of the In the illustrated apparatus, this is accomplished by the power takeoff 146 between the conveyor 42 and the sprockets 150 at the gluing station, and further by the

gear train

152, 154, 156 leading to the adhesive applying roller 140. It

will be understood that the adhesive can be applied in a The second folding station The second folding station 28 (FIGURE 4) includes a pair of folding rollers 160 which fold the adhesive coated side flaps down into contact with the sides of the carton, and about the fold lines 131. These rollers can be of any suitable construction but, as illustrated, comprise rollers having two frusto

conical sections

162, 164 presenting surfaces at right angles to one another and spaced so as to just receive the cartons therebetween. The rollers need not be geared but may be freely rotatable upon contact with the cartons 81.

The second pressing station The second pressing station 30 functions to press the folded side flaps 130 firmly against the carton and to flatten the sides against the food contents within the carton (FIGURES 1B and 2B). This pressing function is accomplished by the endless belts 170, reeved about the

pulleys

172 and 174. The pulleys 172 are driven by the shaft 68 through the gear assemblies 174 so that the belts move at the same linear speed as the cartons 81. As illustrated in FIGURE 8, each gear assembly 174 includes a gear 1 76 splined to the shaft 68 and meshed with a gear 178 carried by the vertical shafts 180 supporting the drive pulleys 172.

The belts 170 are pressed and held firmly against the sides of the cartons advancing therebetween by means of the presser elements 182 positioned on either side of the conveyor. Where the special wax is used to seal the side flaps 130 against the cartons, the presser elements 180 can be chilled, for example by the passage of brine, cooling water or other coolant throughthe interior of the elements 180, as indicated. It will be understood that the use of chilling means in connection with the pressure belts 170 serves to rapidly solidify the special wax, and rigidly adhere the side flaps 130 to the carton.

TRANSFER OR TURNING STATION A carton advanced by the first linear conveyor 42 into the transfer or turning station 32 is engaged by an intermittent motion mechanism and rotated 90 As the mechanism pauses momentarily, the carton is engaged by the second linear conveyor 46 and removed from the transfer mechanism for subsequent operations.

As illustrated, the intermittent motion mechanism is of the Geneva type and includes a Geneva wheel 190, preferably designed with four Wings 192 separated by the radially extending slots 194. The operator 196 for the mechanism is rotated by the power take-off 78 and in cludes an extending arm provided with a pin 198, adapted to engage in the slots 194, and the semicircular segment 200, adapted to rotate within the similarly shaped recesses 202 of the wheel. The wheel is rigidly attached to a lower star wheel 204 by means of the vertically extending shaft 206. Since the operator 196 receives its rotary impetus from the shaft 65, it rotates in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 23. As a result, rotary engagement of the pin 198 in a slot 194 causes the star wheel 204 to smoothly accelerate and decelerate through a 90 turn. When the arm 196 is rotating through the upper part of its cycle, engagement of the segment 200 in recess 202 serves to hold the star wheel stationary. The star wheel is thus rotated smoothly and intermittently through successive 90 turns, followed by periods of rest, in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1B.

Referring to FIGURES 1B and 2B, it will be observed that the star wheel 204 is suspended above the table 205 which is positioned adjacent and between the ends of the

linear conveyors

42 and 46. Rotation of the wheel 204 is such that a carton discharged from the conveyor 42 is received in properly timed relation within one of the rectangular segments 207 of the star wheel. Timing or synchronization is easily accomplished since the power for each of the

conveyors

42, 46 and for the transfer mechanism v32 is derived from the same source (i.e. the main conveyor drive shaft 56). The end result is that a carton.

will be received within the star wheel 204, while it is at rest, will be rotated through a 90 are on the table 205, and then discharged during a rest period of the transfer device onto the conveyor 46.

The transfer dewce also includes means to insure that a carton will be held in proper position within the star wheel 204 during its period of rotation. The illustrated mechanism for this purpose includes the rocker arm 208 (FIGURE 6) which is supported for pivotal movements about a center pin 210 supported by the inwardly protruding wall or boss 212 of the support 213; The extending end of the rocker arm is pivotally secured to the bushing 214 and sleeve 216 which receive the vertical shaft 206. The latter are attached to the transverse plate 218 by means of the dog 220 and the set screw 222. As will be apparent, rocking of the arm 208 will serve to raise or lower the plate 218 above the star Wheel 204.

The free end of the rocking arm 208 is supported by the line 224 and is also normally biased in an upward direction by the spring 226. The line 224 is pivotally attached to a follower arm 228 (FIGURE 2B) which in turn is engaged by a cam 230, carried by the shaft 232 for the operator. Engagement of the cam 230 with the follower arm 228 functions to rockthe arm 208 to raise the plate 218, whereas disengagement of the cam 230 permits the spring 226 to rock the arm 208 to lower the plate. The plate 218 is provided in turn with depending frictional elements 232 which act to engage the cartons within the star wheel 204, to hold them in proper alinement. As illustrated, the cam 230 is approximately 180 out of phase with the operator arm 196. Consequently, thefrictional elements 232 are held in lowered position by the spring 226 during the turning movement of the transfer mechanism and wheel 204, and function to assist in the turning operation as well as in maintaining'proper alinement. Conversely, the elements are in raised position when the wheel 204 is at rest.

THE SECOND LINEAR CONVEYOR The second conveyor portion of the machine functions similarly to the first conveyor portion 42 to convey the cartons through the various operations performed at the stations 34 to 40. The cartons in the discharge side of the transfer mechanism are engaged by the rollers 240 at intervals, and moved out of the star wheel 204. It will be understood that the cartons are positioned on the conveyor with the front flaps 124 extending laterally outward, and toward the bottom and left as viewed in FIG- URES 1B and 6,. respectively. Preferably a guide rail 242 having an upwardly inclined entry portion 244 is provided to both insure a proper positioning of the carton during rotation, and to raise the front flap 124 for subsequent dewaxing operations. As the cartons move onto the conveyor 46, they are again supported on lower rails 244a and between side rails 246, which extend longitudinally of the conveyor. The chains 48 in the upper reach of the conveyor are likewise supported by the longitudinal supports 248 secured to the outermost of the rails 244a.

Second dewaxing station The raised front flap portions 124 and front sides 125 of the cartons are dewaxed at the station 34. The apparatus employed can be substantially identical in construction to the apparatus at the station 24, with the exception that only one dewaxing unit is required. This unit 250 can comprise the cartridge heaters 252, the contact elements 254, and the ribbed upper guides 256 (FIGURE 1B). The described apparatus functions to remove the wax from the flaps I24 and sides 125 as they pass through the station 34 and between the contacts 254 and guides 256.

Second gluing station A carton advanced from the dewaxing station 34 has its front flap 124 engaged by the

rollers

260 and 262 of 6 the second gluing station. The construction of the ap-' paratusat' this station can likewise be substantially identicalto that described in connection with the'first statiorr 26, and can employ a single adhesive tank 264 and drive' assembly 266 to 273. As the operation of this apparatus is unchanged, it need not be further described.

The third folding. and pressing stations Folding and pressing of the front flaps 124 against the sidesof the carton is accomplished at the stations 38 and, 40 in substantially the samefashion as previously described in connection with the folding station 28 and pressing station 30. The only difference is that a single folding roller 27-4 is employed in the folding station. The apparatus of the pressing station, designated at 276 to 282, can be identical to that described for the second pressingstation and can employ gear assemblies 284 to drive the endless belts 280 as illustrated in FIGURE 8.

It will be understood that the folding roller 274 acts to foldthe adhesive coated front flap 124 down into contact with thesides of the carton, and the pressure belts 280 to press, chill and solidify the special wax to thereby rigidly adhere the flaps 124 to the cartons.

' While not illustrated, it is contemplated that an overhead pressure device, such as the belts in conveyor 42, can likewise be employed during the operations performed on the conveyor 46. The function of such device to maintain the top covers 84 of the cartons flat would be the same.

OPERATION Reviewing briefly the operation of the machine, cartons 81 which have previously been filled with food, enter the machine with the cover 84 open and the flaps 124' and 130 extending outwardly from the cover (FIGURE 7A). Each carton is engaged at a spaced interval by rollers 86 of the conveyor 42 and moved into engagement with the overhead endless belts 100 at the first folding station 20. These belts, which pass beneath the longitudinally extending presser elements 128, function to fold the top cover 84 downward and to squeeze the contents of the carton so that the cover portion is flattened (FIG- URE 7B). Simultaneously, the tops of the cartons are engaged with the transverse elements and 122 which function to properly aline and position the cartons, to assist in the squeezing operations, and to fold the front flap 124 downwardly about the fold line 126. During the operations, the sdie flaps are held open by engagement with the entry portions 138 of the dewaxing station 24. As the cartons pass through the dewaxer, the cartridge heaters 132 and contact elements 134 act to remove the wax coating from the flaps 130 and sides 129 of the cartons. The under sides of the flaps can now be coated with a layer of adhesive material, at station 26, by the rollers 140. Theserollers rotate in unison with the cartons 81 by virtue of power transmission received from the conveyor through the take-off 146. The side flaps are next bent downward about the fold lines 131 by the folding rollers 160, at the folding station 28, and then pressed into tight sealing engagement with the carton by the pressure belts 170, at station 30 (FIGURE 7C). Thesebelts also serve to flatten the sides of the carton. The adhesive material folded between. the side flaps 130 and the carton can be simultaneously solidified by the chilling elements 182. The cartons are now discharged from the end of the first conveyor 42 and into the transfer station 32, which is positioned above the inlet end of the second conveyor 46. At the same time the cartons are released from the overhead pressure imposed in the first conveyor by the belts 100.

The cartons are rotated 90 about a vertical axis in the transfer station, in a gradually accelerating and decelerating movement (FIGURE 7D). During the turning operation, the cartons are held in proper alinement by the sides of the star wheel 204 and by downward pressure exerted by the pressure elements 232 which rotate in unison with the transfer mechanism. The front flap portions 124 of the cartons are simultaneously raised into a laterally extending position by the upwardly tapering inlet portions 244 of the guide rail 242.

The transfer mechanism at the station 32 includes an intermittent motion device, so that the star wheel 204 is at rest as the cartons 81 are discharged within its confines from the conveyor 42. The mechanism then rotates and subsequently is at rest for a period during which the rollers 240 of the second conveyor 46 are enabled to engage the cartons and convey them out of the transfer station to the dewaxing station 34. Here the extending front flaps 124 and the front sides 125 are engaged and dewaxed. The under sides of the flaps 124 are subsequently coated with adhesive by the rollers 260, at station 36, folded downwardly against the sides 125 by the folding roller 274, at station 38, and squeezed between the pressure belts 280 in the final pressing station 40 (FIG- URE 7E). The latter station is also provided with chilling means 282 which solidifies the adhesive. These latter operations serve to squeeze and flatten the front and back sides of the cartons to produce four sided cartons that are flat on all sides and which can be easily stacked or packed in cases with other cartons. The sealed and shaped cattons (FIGURE 7E) are fully airtight, and provide complete protection to the filled contents. They can now be passed through a freezing zone where a final solidification of the food product can be obtained. No exterior wrapping or other final packaging is necessary.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is capable of other variations and modifications within the scope of the claims presented hereto.

I claim:

1. In a carton shaping and sealing machine of a type adapted for use with filled cartons employing top foldable covers having integral front and side flap portions: a first linear conveyor including means for receiving a filled carton, folding its top cover, folding the side flap portions, sealing the side flap portions tothe carton, and pressing the top cover and side flap portions flat against the contents of the carton; a second linear conveyor including means for folding the front flap portion, sealing the same to the carton, and pressing it flat against the contents of the canton; and transfer means including wheel means between said conveyors for rotating the carton in a horizontal plane to facilitate proper alinement of the integral cover portions in the separate folding, sealing and pressing operations; such machine operating to process filled, squared, flattened cartons particularly suited to stacking and packaging with other cartons.

2. In a carton shaping and sealing machine .of a type adapted for use with filled waxed fibrous cartons employing top foldable covers having integral front and side portions: 3. first linear conveyor including means for receiving a filled carton, folding its top cover, dewaxing the side flap portions, folding the side flap portions, sealing the side flap portions to the carton, and pressing the top cover and side flap portions flat against the filled contents of the carton; a second linear conveyor including means for dewaxing the front flap portion, folding the front flap portion, sealing the same to the carton, and pressing it flat; and transfer means including wheel means between said conveyors for rotating the carton in a horizontal plane to facilitate its proper alinement in the separate folding, sealing and pressing operations; such machine operating to process filled, squared, flattened cartons particularly suited to stacking and packaging with other cartons;

. 3. In a carton shaping and sealing machine of a type adapted for use with filled cartons employing top foldable covers havingintegral front and side portions: a firstconveyor incorporating a first folding station for re ceiving a filled carton, folding its top cover against the filled contents and pressing it flat, a first gluing station for applying adhesive material to side flap portions of the top cover, and a second folding station forfolding the side flap portions against the carton and pressing them flat; a second conveyor incorporating a second gluing station for applying adhesive material to a front flap portion of the top cover, and a third folding station for folding the front flap portion against the carton and pressing it flat; and transfer means including segmented wheel means between said conveyors for rotating the sealing carton about a vertical axis to facilitate the progressive cover folding and sealing operations and to provide proper alinement; whereby a filled sealed carton having planar sides is provided.

4. A machine as in claim 3 wherein said first and second conveyors each include a linear portion passing through the respective folding, gluing and pressing stations.

5. In a carton shaping and sealing machine; first folding and pressing stations for receiving a filled car-ton, folding its top cover downwardly against the filled contents and pressing it fiat; a first gluing station for applying adhesive material to extending side flap portions of the top cover; second folding and pressing stations for folding such extending side flap portions downwardly against the sides of the carton and for pressing them fiat; a transfer station including wheel means adapted to rotate the carton in a horizontal plane through a are; a second gluing station for applying adhesive material to an extending front flap portion of the top cover; third folding and pressing stations for folding the front flap portion against the cartonand for pressing it flat; and means conveying said cartons continuously through said aforementioned stations.

6. In a carton shaping and sealing machine of the type particularly adapted for use with waxed fibrous cartons: first folding and pressing stations for receiving a filled carton, folding its top cover downwardly against the contents and pressing it flat; a dewaxing station including heating elements adapted to contact extending side flap portions of the top cover; a first gluing station for applying adhesive material to said extending side flap portions; second folding and pressing stations for folding the extending side flap portions downwardly against the sides of the carton and for pressing them fiat; a transfer station for rotating the carton through a 90 are; a second dewaxing station including heating elements adapted to contact a front flap portion of the top cover; a second gluing station for applying adhesive material to said extending front flap portion; third folding and pressing stations for folding the front flap portion against the carton and for pressing it flat; and means conveying said cartons continuously through said aforementioned stations.

7. In a carton shaping and sealing machine of a type adapted for use with waxed fibrous cartons employing top foldable covers having front and side portions; a first linear conveyor including means for receiving a filled carton, folding its top cover, dewaxing the side flap portions, folding the side flap portions, sealing the side flap portions to the carton, and pressing the top cover and side flap portions flat against the filled contents of the carton, a second linear conveyor including means for dewaxing the front flap portion, folding the front flap portion, sealing the same to the carton, and pressing it flat; each of said means for dewaxing the flap portions including heating elements adapted to contact the same; and transfer means between said conveyors for rotating the carton to facilitate its proper alinement in the separate folding, sealing and pressing operations; such machine operating to process filled, squared, flattened cartons particularly suited to stacking and packaging with other cartons.

8. In a carton shaping and sealing machine of a type adapted for use with waxed fibrous cartons employing top foldable covers having front and side portions; a first lin ar onv yor including means for receiving a filled carton, folding its top cover, dewaXing the side flap portions, folding the side flap portions, sealing the side flap portions to the carton, and pressing the top cover and side flap portions flat against the filled contents of the carton; a second linear conveyor including means for dewaxing the front flap portion, folding the front flap portion, sealing the same to the carton, and pressing it flat; each of said means for sealing the flap portions including means to apply a heat-softened adhesive material and cooling means to subsequently contact said flap pontions; and transfer means between said conveyors for rotating the carton to facilitate its proper alinement in the separate folding, sealing and pressing operations; such machine operating to process filled, squared, flattened cartons particularly suited to stacking and packaging with other cartons.

9. In a carton shaping and sealing machine of a type adapted for use with filled cartons employing top foldable covers having integral front and side portions: a first linear conveyor including means for receiving a filled canton, folding its top cover, folding the side flap portions, sealing the side flap portions to the carton, and pressing the top cover and side flap portions flat against the contents of the carton; a second linear conveyor including means for folding the front flap portion, sealing the same to the carton, and pressing it fiat against the contents of the carton; and transfer means between said conveyors for rotating the canton in a horizonal plane to facilitate proper alinement of the integral cover portions in the separate folding, sealing and pressing operations, said transfer means including horizontally disposed wheel means operable by an intermittent motion mechanism to pause to receive a carton from the first conveyor, rotate, and then pause for removal of the carton by the second conveyor; such machine operating to process filled, squared, flattened cartons particularly suited to stacking and packaging with other cartons.

10. In a carton shaping and sealing machine adapted for use with waxed fibrous cartons; a first folding station for receiving filled cartons and for folding a top cover portion downwardly against the contents; a first pressing station for pressing the top cover portion flat against the contents; a first dewaxing station including means adapted to contact extending side flap portions of the top cover portion; a first gluing station for applying a heat-softened adhesive material to said extending side flap portions; a second folding station for folding said side flap portions downwardly against the carton; a second pressing station for pressing said side flap portions fiat against the carton and contents; a second dewaxing means including a heating element adapted to contact an extending front flap portion of the top cover; a third folding station for folding the front flap portion downwardly against the carton; a third pressing station for pressing said front flap portion flat against the carton and contents; con- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,198,740 Martin Sept. 19, 1916 1,779,985 Schroeder Oct. 28, 1930 2,215,545 Demler Sept. 24, 1940 2,577,529 Derr Dec. 4, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 736,140 Great Britain Aug. 21, 1955