US3345799A - Apparatus for transferring packages - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 10,1967 j, cK 3,345,799

APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING PACKAGES Filed June 21. 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. J. HICKIN 3,345,799

Oct. 10,1967

APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING PACKAGES 4 Sheets-Shet 2 I Filed June 21, 1965 Oct. 10,1967

APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING PACKAGES Filed June 21. 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 R. J. HICKIN 3,345,799

United States Patent 3,345,799 APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING PACKAGES Robert J. Hickin, Seville, Ohio, assignor to Packaging Corporation of America, Evanston, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 21, 1965, Ser. No. 465,540

14 Claims. (Cl. 53-47) This invention relates to an apparatus for transferring packages, such as cartons, and more particularly to an apparatus for changing the attitude of a folding carton during closing thereof.

In the packaging field, seal end cartons are commonly used for the packaging of a wide variety of solid, nonflowable materials. In numerous commercial packaging operations the setting up, filling, and sealing of such cartons are accomplished on equipment commonly referred to as cartoning machines. With such a machine, the carton subsequent to being set up, is fed onto and moved by a flighted conveyor with the end closure flaps of the carton facing the width of the conveyor and the large side panels disposed parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. While the carton is being moved by the flighted conveyor, the contents are deposited in the carton whereupon the tabs are folded, glue applied to the flaps, and flap closure made. The foregoing operations were normally performed while the carton remained in the aforedescribed position on the conveyor. The carton is then passed through a belted pressure section of the conveyor which retains the flap closures in mated position until an adhesive bond is obtained. The adhesive commonly used to seal the carton flaps is a cold dextrin or resin type glue which requires approximately 40 seconds to assure a trouble-free bond.

In commercial packaging installations where, for example, the package line speed is 100 cartons per minute and each carton is of such a size that when it assumes one attitude on the conveyor, it occupies approximately one foot of drying conveyor length,-the drying conveyor, in order to provide the necessary 4tl-se-cond interval, would have to be approximately 66 feet long. If, however, this same carton through a change of attitude would occupy only approximately 2 inches of drying conveyor length, the length of the drying conveyor could be reduced to approximately 11 feet.

Various methods and apparatus have heretofore been provided to effect the change of attitude of the package (carton) so as to enable the shorter drying conveyor to be used. One such prior method was to cause the flat packages, that is to say, packages disposed in an attitude requiring the greater amount of conveyor length, to drop onto the drying conveyor, disposed at a lower level, and during the course of the drop to cause the attitude of each package to be changed so that the package would be fed onto the drying conveyor and occupy only a minimum of conveyor length. The shortcomings of this prior method were that it subjected the package and its contents to abusive treatment, and also tended to cause loss of control of the previously folded end flaps.

A second prior method and apparatus was to deposit the fiat package onto a reciprocating arm which then would lift and move the deposited package through an arc of approximately 90 degrees and thus effect a change of attitude thereof. With such an arrangement it was necessary that the arm have a reciprocatory movement rather than an intermittent revolving motion so that the packages deposited on the drying conveyor would not obstruct the arm movement. One of the principal problems which beset prior apparatus of this type was that it was not suitable for high-speed packaging line operation. In addition the apparatus was susceptible to frequent malfunction requiring an inordinate amount of maintenance.

Thus, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide an apparatus for readily changing the attitude of a package and which is not beset with the shortcomings associated with prior methods and apparatus.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus which is capable of functioning in a high speed packaging line and yet gently handle each package while the latter is undergoing a change of attitude.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus which may be readily adjusted to handle packages of varying sizes and shapes.

It is a further'object of this invention to provide an apparatus which requires but a minimum of maintenance and is of compact size.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a method of changing the attitude of a package while the plane of support for the package remains the same.

. It is a still further object of this invention to provide a method whereby the folding of end and side flaps might be accomplished simultaneously with the change in attitude of the package.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention an apparatus is provided for changing the attitude of a package while the latter is moving in a given plane. The apparatus includes a conveyor means having a portion thereof disposed adjacent to the given plane and moving in a predetermined direction. Carried by the conveyor means portion is a pivotally mounted flight which, when in a first position of pivotal adjustment, has a first segment thereof transversely disposed with respect to the given plane. The flight first segment, while in the transversely-disposed position, engages the package disposed in a first attitude on said given plane, and moves same in the predetermined direction. Upon the package being moved a predetermined distance in said given plane, the flight is actuated by cam means to a second position of pivotal adjustment, whereby a second segment of the flight assumes a transverse position with respect to the given plane. The pivotal actuation of the flight simultaneously imparts a corresponding pivotal movement to the package whereupon the package assumes a second attitude with respect to the given plane. The flight second segment, while in its transversely-disposed position, engages the package in its changed attitude and continues movement of the package in the predetermined direction along the given plane. Throughout the movement of the flight, the package is continuously engaged thereby.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should be made to the drawings wherein:

.FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plane view of a portion of a commercial packaging line in which the improved apparatus is shown incorporated therein.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the improved apparatus.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged fragmentary perspective views showing one of the pivotally mounted flights in two positions of adjustment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the improved apparatus in a slightly modified form.

FIGS, 6 and 7 are perspective views of one form of a conveyor flight.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of the improved apparatus and showing the flights of a conveyor section in various positions with respect to a cam surface.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, a portion of a high speed packaging line 10 is shown in which the improved apparatus 11 forms a part thereof. The illustrated portion of the packaging line includes the following stations: A station for closing the carton cover; B station for applying glue to one flap of the closed cover; C station for changing the direction of travel of the carton while the latter is disposed in a first attitude I; D station for applying glue to a pair of second flaps formed on the closed carton cover; E station for effecting movement of the carton to a second attitude II while the carton is being conveyed and supported in a given plane; and F station for conveying and sealing the cartons while disposed in attitude II.

For purposes of facilitating understanding of the invention at hand, the operation of line 10 and the improved apparatus 11 are hereinafter described in relation to a conventional rectangularly-shaped paperboard carton 12. The carton, which forms no part of the instant invention, includes a rectangular tray section having a broad bottom panel 12a, see FIG. 5, and upright side and end walls 12b delimiting said panel. Foldably connected to one side wall is a cover 12c. The cover in the illustrated embodiment is provided with a front flap 12d and a pair of end closure flaps 1242.

Prior to the carton reaching station A, filling thereof has occurred either manually or by automatic loading equipment, not shown. Subsequent to loading, carton 12, while disposed in attitude I, is moved in direction Y by a belt or chain type conveyor 13 which is of conventional construction. Carton 12, while in attitude I has broad bottom panel 12a thereof engaging the supporting plane. Upon passing through station A, the carton cover 120 is automatically closed by a fixed plow 14, see FIG. 1. The cover 12, when closed by plow 14, is horizontally disposed as well as flaps 12d and 12e carried thereby. Flap 12d extends laterally, or transversely, with respect to the direction of travel Y of said carton. Flaps 12s, on the other hand, extend in the direction of travel of the carton.

Upon the carton being moved past station B, the underside of cover flap 12d engages a glue wheel or roller 15 whereupon .a coating of adhesive is applied thereto. It is to be understood, of course, that the adhesive coating may be applied by brush, spraying or any other suitable means.

After leaving station E, the carton while still disposed in attitude I, continues to move in direction Y until it reaches station C whereupon the direction of movement of the carton is changed to direction Z which in the illustrated embodiment is at a right angle to direction Y.

Station C is disposed at the infeed end of improved apparatus 11. The movement of carton 12 in direction Z is accomplished by a flighted chain-type conveyor 16, the construction of which will be described more fully hereinafter. As the carton, while in attitude I, is being moved in direction Z, the horizontally disposed end closure flaps 12e extend laterally at right angles With respect to direction Z, and flap 12d extends in a direction opposite from the direction of movement of the carton. With the end closure flaps so positioned, an adhesive coat is applied to the underside of each flap 12e as the carton is moved past station D. The method of applying the coating to flaps 12c at station D may be the same as utilized at station D.

Subsequent to flaps 12e being adhesively coated, carton 12, while being moved in direction Z undergoes a change in attitude from attitude I to attitude II. The manner in which such change of attitude is effected will be discussed more fully hereinafter. Carton attitude II is when the carton is resting upon a narrow side wall 12b of the tray section. Side wall 12b of carton 12, in the illustrated embodiment, has a surface area of approximately one half or less the area of bottom panel 12a.

While carton 12 is changing from attitude I to attitude II, the flap 12d is plowed into overlapping sealing relation with the front side wall of the carton tray sect-ion. Folding of flaps He may simultaneously occur with or precede the change of attitude of the carton. Upon the cover flaps being plowed into sealing engagement, the carton is moved onto a horizontally disposed elongated surface 17 wherein sealing pressure is applied to the folded flaps for a suflicient time to permit the adhesive coating to effect a sealing bond between the flaps and the respective walls of the carton.

Sealing pressure is transmitted to the end closure flaps by a pair of driven endless belts 18. The adjacent runs 18a of the belts are disposed in spaced substantially parallel upright relation and are aligned with the elongated marginal portions of surface 17. Belt runs 18a simultaneously move in direction Z. The spacing between adjacent belt runs 18a is such that the proper amount of compressive force will be exerted endwise of the carton.

The necessary sealing force exterted on cover flap 12d is produced in the illustrated embodiment by a set of bars 20 arranged in spaced, parallel, substantially coplanar relation above surface 17. Bars 20 flare upwardly, see FIG. 5, at the infeed end of station B, so as to enable the carton to readily enter said station. Because the cartons 12, when disposed in attitude II, occupy substantially less supporting area than when disposed in attitude I, the length of surface 17, belt runs 18a and bars 20 may be materially reduced without adversely affecting the time required within which sealing pressure must be applied to the cover flaps in order that a desired adhesive bond will be effected.

The improved apparatus 11 is shown more clearly in FIG. 2 and includes a pair of elongated, spaced, substantially parallel horizontally disposed support rails 21 upon which a carton rests while moving from station C, through station D to station -E. Rails 21 are disposed in coplanar relation with respect to a similar rail 22 formed adjacent conveyor 13. Rails 21 and 22 in the illustrated embodiment are arranged in transverse relation with respect to one another.

A carton, while in attitude -I, is properly positioned on rails 21 by a pair of reciprocating pusher fingers 23 which are mounted adjacent the discharge end of conveyor 13. A guide 24 is disposed above rails 22 and holds the carton in contact with rails 22 while the carton is being moved by conveyor 13.

Chain type conveyor 16, which extends from station C and is disposed at a right angle with respect to conveyor 13, includes a pair of spaced endless chain sections 16A and 16B; each section being aligned with one of the rails 21 and supported by suitable sprockets 19. Carried on each chain section 16A and 16B are a plurality of longitudinally spaced pivotally mounted flights 25. Corresponding flights on each chain section are aligned transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the chain sections. The structural details of the flights will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

Disposed between chain sections 16A and 16B and beneath rails 21 are elongated cam bars 26, only one being shown, the function of which is to control the pivotal movement of the flights as the latter are moved in direction Z by the upper segments of the chain sections from station C to station E.

To retain initially the end closure flaps 122 of each carton in their horizontal laterally extending position as each carton is moved away from station C, a pair of spaced parallel guide bars 27 are provided which are disposed above and sidewise of rails 21. Cooperating with each guide bar 27 is an elongated plow 28, which is adapted to cause an end closure flap 12e to be folded into sealing engagement with the corresponding end wall 12b of the carton tray subsequent to the carton having been moved past station D where an adhesive coating is applied to the underside of the flap.

One form of flights 25, carried by the chain sections 16A and 16B, is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and includes a flat, quasi-triangularly shaped base member 30 which is provided with a bearing opening 31disposed adjacent one apex, or corner '32, thereof. Opening 31 is adapted to acommodate a laterally extending stud 31 carried by one of the chain links. Adjustably mounted on one side 33 of member 30, said side cooperating to form corner 32, is a substantially L-shaped piece 34. The longer leg 35 of piece 34 is affixed to side 33 by a pair of fasteners 36 which extend through an elongated slot 37 formed in the leg 35 and are threaded into suitable openings, not shown, formed in the base side 33. The short leg 38 of piece 34 extends at a right angle from leg 35.

Disposed adjacent a second corner 40 of piece 34 is a follower 41 which is adapted to engage the upper surface of the cam bar 26, as the flight is being moved from station C to station E.

It will be noted in FIG. 2 that cam bar 26 has an elongated first section 2611 wherein the upper surface thereof is flat and horizontally disposed. Section 26a extends from station C beyond station D to the entrance of station E at which point a second cam bar section 26b is provided.

The upper surface of section 26b inclines upwardly at approximately a 45 angle and terminates in a horizontally disposed raised third section 260. While the follower 41 is engaging cam bar section 26a, the short leg 38 of piece 34 extends above the horizontal plane formed by carton support rails 21 and engages the trailing front side of the carton tray section subsequent to the latter having been deposited on rails 21 at station C. As the follower 41 moves up inclined cam section 26b, the flight 25 is caused to. pivot upwardly about stud 31 as a fulcrum through an arc of approximately 90, whereupon the piece longer leg 35 extends above the plane of rails 21 and assumes a substantially transverse position with respect thereto. Simultaneously with the pivoting of flight 25, the carton 12, initially contacted by leg 38 while disposed in attitude I, is moved to attitude II whereby leg 35 contacts the bottom panel 12a and continues movement of the carton 12 in direction Z.

As the carton 12 moves from attitude I to attitude II the ends of the carton are engaged by a pair of guide plates 29, see FIG. 5. In order to effect smooth gentle handling of the carton while it is changing attitude, the pressure exerted on the carton ends is unequal. This unequal pressure is eflected by having carton-contacting surfaces of the plates tapered slightly toward the supporting surface provided by rails 21.

In order to assure that the carton 12 while in attitude II is in proper position as it is initially engaged by the compression belts 18, a depending fork 32' is provided which is adapted to engage the vertically disposed bottom panel 12a of the carton. The movement of the fork 32 is in a vertical arcuate path which is effected by a pair of vertically aligned rotating discs 33' and 34, see FIG. 5. Each disc is mounted on a horizontal disposed shaft 35'. Pivotally connected to the corresponding face of each disc is a vertically disposed arm 36 which forms a part of the fork 32'.

The depending fingers 37' of fork 32' are positioned so as to extend between bars 20, when the fork is actuated downwardly into engagement with a carton. Because of the arcuate movement of fork 32' the latter engages and disengages the carton in a gentle fashion. The spacing between consecutive flights on a chain section 16A or 16B is sufficient to permit the fork fingers 37' to readily engage and disengage the carton Without interference.

Bars 20 are adapted to engage the front flap 12d of the carton cover and fold same into overlapping sealing engagement with the front side wall 12b of the carton tray 6 section, as the carton commences movement through station E. It will be noted in FIG. 5 that each bar 20 has a vertical stud 42 which is connected to a cross support piece 43. Piece 43 is adapted to be vertically adjustable so that bars 20 may accommodate cartons or packages of various sizes and shapes.

In addition to bars 20 being adjustable, the spacing be-' tween pressure belts 18, plates 29, guide rods 27, and plows 28 may also be varied to accommodate various size cartons. Adjustment of L-shaped member 34 is readily accomplished for this purpose through fasteners 36 disposed within the elongated slot 37. formed in leg portion 35.

Once the carton while in attitude II has been moved by fork 32 into engagement with the pressure belts 18, the flight 25 will fall away from the trailing side of the carton by reason of the flight follower 41 coming to the end of cam segment 260, see FIG. 8. It will be noted in FIGS. 6 and 7 that flight 25 is provided with a tongue-like projection 44. This projection is adapted to contact a cam disc 45, see FIG. 2, and thus cause the follower 41 to be in position to engage the surface of cam section 26a.

It is to be understood that the disposition of the carton when in either attitude I or II may be varied from that shown and will depend in large measure upon the shape and size of the carton or package in question.

Thus, it Will be seen that an apparatus has been provided for transferring cartons in a simple, expedient and gentle manner. The improved apparatus permits the adhesive bond between the cover flaps and the respective walls of the carton tray to occur in an area of greatly reduced length.

While several embodiments of this invention have been described above, further modifications may be made thereto and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for changing the attitude of a package while the latter is moving in a given plane, said apparatus comprising conveyor means having a portion thereof disposed adjacent to said plane and moving in a predetermined direction; a pivotally mounted flight carried by said conveyor means portion, said flight, when in a first position of pivotal adjustment, having a first segment thereof transversely disposed with respect to said plane for engaging and moving in said direction such package while the latter is disposed in a first attitude,

. and, when in a second position of'pivotal adjustment,

having a second segment thereof transversely disposed with respect to said plane for engaging and continuing moving in said direction such package when the latter is disposed in a second attitude, said flight during pivotal adjustment thereof being adapted to be in continuous engagement with such package; and means engaging said flight to effect pivotal adjustment of the latter upon said flight reaching predetermined stations of travel.

2. An apparatus for Changing the attitude of a package while the latter is moving in a given plane, said apparatus comprising conveyor means having a portion thereof disposed adjacent to said plane and moving in a predetermined direction past a plurality of longitudinally spaced stations; a plurality of pivotally mounted flights arranged in spaced aligned relation and carried by said conveyor means portion, each flight, when moving from a first station a second station, being disposed in a first position of pivotal adjustment and having a first segment thereof transversely disposed with respect to said plane and continuing moving in said predetermined direction such package while the latter is disposed in a second attitude, each flight being adapted to be in continuous engagement with such package while the attitude of the latter is being changed; and means disposed adjacent said stations and engaging said flights to effect pivotal adjustment thereof.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein each flight is provided with a follower which is disposed in continuous engagement with the last mentioned means.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein said flight first and second segments are disposed in substantially right angle relation.

5. An apparatus for changing the attitude of a package, while the latter is moving in a given plane, the package having a bottom, side walls, a cover foldably connected to a side wall, and a plurality of sealing flaps foldably connected to the peripheral edge of the cover, said apparatus comprising conveyor means having a portion thereof disposed adjacent to said plane and moving in a predetermined direction; a pivotally-mounted flight carried by said conveyor means portion, said flight, when in a first position of pivotal adjustment, having a first segment thereof transversely disposed with respect to said plane for engaging a package side wall and moving in said direction the package while in a first attitude whereby the package bottom is engaging said given plane, and, when in a second position of pivotal adjustment, having a second segment thereof transversely disposed with respect to said plane for engaging the package bottom and continuing moving in said direction the package whilein a second attitude whereby the package side wall opposite that engaged by said flight first segment is engaging said given plane, said flight first segment adapted to be in continuous engagement with the package while the attitude thereof is being changed; first sealing flapfolding means disposed on opposite sides of said conveyor means portion for engaging predetermined first sealing flaps and folding same into overlapping engagement with corresponding package side walls as the package is being moved while in its first attitude; second sealing flap-folding means disposed in spaced relation above said conveyor means portion for engaging a predetermined second sealing flap and folding same into overlapping engagement with a corresponding package side wall as the package is being moved while in its second attitude; and cam means engaged by said flight for effecting pivotal adjustment thereof at predetermined stations of travel of said flight in said given plane.

6. An apparatus for changing the attitude of a package while the latter is moving in a given plane, said apparatus comprising a first conveyor means having a portion thereof disposed adjacent said plane and moving in a predetermined direction past a plurality of longitudinally spaced stations; a plurality of pivotally mounted first flights arranged in spaced aligned relation and carried by said conveyor means portion, each flight, when moving from a first station to a second station, being disposed in a first position of pivotal adjustment and having a first segment thereof transversely disposed with respect to said plane for engaging and moving in said predetermined direction such package while disposed in a first attitude, and each flight, when moving from said second station to a third station, being disposed in a second position of pivotal adjustment and having a second segment thereof transversely disposed with respect to said plane for engaging and continuing moving in said predetermined direction such package while the latter is disposed in a secondattitude, each flight being adapted to be in continuous engagement with such package while the attitude thereof is changed; cam means disposed adjacent said stations and engaging said flights to effect pivotal adjustment thereof; a second conveyor means disposed adjacent said first conveyor means and said third station for engaging the package upon the latter being discharged from said first conveyor means; and a second flight spaced from said first and second conveyor means for engaging the package While in said second attitude and transferring such package from said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein said second conveyor means is disposed in longitudinal alignment with said first conveyor means portion.

8. The apparatus recited in claim 6 including folding means disposed adjacent said first convey-0r means for engaging and folding into closed position side flaps formed at the opposite sides of the package, while the latter is moving from said first station to said second station.

9. The apparatus recited in claim 6 including folding means disposed adjacent said first conveyor means for engaging and folding into closed position side flaps formed at sides of the package during change of attitude of the latter as said flights are moving from said first to said second positions of pivotal adjustment.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein said second conveyor means includes a pair of spaced powerdiven endless belts between which the package when in its second attitude is caused to pass and is engaged thereby, said belts being driven about axes angularly disposed with respect to said given plane.

11. An apparatus for changing the attitude of a moving package from a first attitude wherein a broad surface of the package is supported in a given plane to a second attitude wherein a narrow surface of the package is supported in said given plane, said apparatus comprising a conveyor means having a portion thereof disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel with said given plane and moving in a predetermined direction past a first station; a pivotally-mounted flight carried by said conveyor means portion, said flight, when in a first position of pivotal adjustment, being adapted to engage the package while the latter is disposed in the first attitude and move the package in said predetermined direction to said first station, said flight upon moving past said first station being adjusted to a second position of pivotal adjustment and effecting change of the package from the first attitude to the second attitude; and cam means disposed adjacent said first station and engaged by said flight and effecting pivotal adjustment of said flight from said first to said second positions.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 11 including a second conveyor means disposed adjacent one end of said first conveyor means portion for receiving and moving away from said flight the package subsequent to the latter assuming its second attitude.

13. The appartus recited in claim 12 including a poweractuated package transfer element disposed adjacent said one end of the first conveyor means portion, said transfer element being actuated in timed sequence with said flight, upon the latter assuming the second position of piovtal adjustment, for engaging the package when in its second attitude and guiding same into engagement with said second conveyor means.

14. A method for folding a side flap and end flaps connected to a cover against the respective side wall and end walls of a tray of a folding carton subsequent to the carton cover foldably connected to a second side wall of the tray being folded into a closed position with respect to the open top of said tray, said method comprising placing the closed carton on a plane with the bottom of the carton resting on said plane, moving in a linear direction the carton along said plane whereby the tray side to which said cover is connected is the leading side of said carton and is disposed substantially transverse with respect to said linear direction, pivoting said moving carton about the lower edge of said leading sside to an upright position whereby said leading side is resting on said plane, engaging and folding at least one cover flap against a side of said carton tray simultaneously with the pivoting of said carton, and exerting sealing pres- 10 sure on said folded flap as said upright carton continues 2,356,120 8/1944 Slightam 198-33 to be moved in said linear direction. 2,911,774 11/ 1959 Frank et a1 53230 3,288,268 11/ 1966 Fehely 198--33 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

2,270,264 1/1942 Carruth 53-47 R. L. FARRIS, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

14. A METHOD FOR FOLDING A SIDE FLAP AND END FLAPS CONNECTED TO A COVER AGAINST THE RESPECTIVE SIDE WALL AND END WALLS OF A TRAY OF A FOLDING CARTON SUBSEQUENT TO THE CARTON COVER FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO A SECOND SIDE WALL OF THE TRAY BEING FOLDED INTO A CLOSED POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE OPEN TOP OF SAID TRAY, SAID METHOD COMPRISING PLACING THE CLOSED CARTON ON A PLANE WITH THE BOTTOM OT THE CARTON RESTING ON SAID PLANE, MOVING IN A LINEAR DIRECTION THE CARTON ALONG SAID PLANE WHEREBY THE TRAY SIDE TO WHICH SAID COVER IS CONNECTED IS THE LEADING SIDE OF SAID CARTON AND IS DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSVERSE WITH RESPECT TO SAID LINEAR DIRECTION, PIVOTING SAID MOVING CARTON ABOUT THE LOWER EDGE OF SAID LEADING ASIDE TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION WHEREBY SAID LEADING SIDE IS RESTING ON SAID PLANE, ENGAGING AND FOLDING AT LEAST ONE COVER FLAP AGAINST A SIDE OF SAID CARTON TRAY SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE PIVOTING OF SAID CARTON, AND EXERTING SEALING PRESSURE ON SAID FOLDED FLAP AS SAID UPRIGHT CARTON CONTINUES TO BE MOVED IN SAID LINEAR DIRECTION.

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