US3382645A - Carton clamping and guiding means in an automatic carton closing machine - Google Patents

Description

may 14, 1%8 w. LOVELAND ET AL. 3382,@45

CARTON CLAMPING AND GUIDING MEANS IN AN AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 20, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet w. LOVELAND ET Al. 3,382,645 CARTON CLAMPING AND GUIDING MEANS IN AN AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE May 14, 1968 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 20, 1965 May 14, 19168 Filed Dec. 20, 1965 W. LOVELAND ET Al- CARTON CLAMPING AND GUIDING MEANS IN AN AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 14, 1968 w. L ovELANb ET Al. 3,382,645

CARTON CLAMPING AND GUIDING MEANS IN AN AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 20, 1965 F/G. 4 A 223 fof F/G. 5

May 14, 1968 Filed Dec. 20, 1965 W. LOVELAND ET AL CARTON CLAMPING AND GUIDING MEANS 1N AN AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 304Af E g 45%qlin l n 328 Energlzed Vent Energ ized 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 i 323j 3/3 X {3e-energized De-energzed 227 Stop Goe Retrocted d 225 H0. w25/L De-energized Energzed LVenT Supply May14,1968 w. LOVELAND ET AL 3,382,645

CARTON CLAMPING AND GUIDING MEANS IN AN AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Deo. 20, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 sm w @S m Nimm @n m Nv May 14, 1968 W. LOVELAND ET AL 3,382,645

CARTON CLAMPING AND GUIDING MEANS IN AN AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet Filed Deo. 20, 1965 May 14, 1968 W L OVELAND ET Al. 3,382,645

CARTON CLAMPING AND GUIDING MEANS IN AN AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 20, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 /RANDOM UNI FORM United States Patent O 3,382,645 CARTN CLAMPING AND GUIDING MEANS IN AN AUTOMATIC CARTON CLQSING MACHINE Winton Loveland, Freeport, and Saul Warshavv, New York, N.Y., assignors to The Loveshaw Corporation, Farmingdale, N.Y., a corporation of New York Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 219,212, Aug. 24, 1962. This application Dec. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 514,943

20 Claims. (Cl. 53-75) This application is a continuation-in-part of our application Ser. No. 219,212, filed Aug. 24, 1962, now Patent No. 3,236,022, for Automatic Carton Closing Machine.

The present invention relates to an automatic carton closing machine and, more particularly, to mechanisms therein for clamping each of a series of cartons fed therethrough successively in a temporarily stopped position at a flap folding station while flap folding operations are performed thereon and then guiding them through to the discharge end of the machine.

One aspect of this invention is particularly concerned with the problem of folding down the top flaps of cartons of relatively shallow depths, such as of the order of three to four and one-half inches (3-41/2) in height, in a machine that will efficiently perform such operations on cartons of random size which are higher than four and one-half inches (4l/2). Such small cartons which have heights in this range frequently have rounded corners and are difllcult to square between and to be clamped securely by opposed clamping members translated transversely relative to each other for this purpose.

In a machine of the construction of our copending application Ser. No. 219,212, tiled Aug. 24, 1962, such carton clamping means are in the form of transversely spaced, elongated, parallel members or rails mounted for drive toward each other temporarily to clamp therebetween each carton when stopped at a carton sensing and flap folding station and then to release the closed carton for conveyor transport forward while the clamping rails serve as guides in such forward travel of the carton. The opposed inside faces of these clamping rails serve as the carton sides contacting means thereof and, in one form, are provided by upstanding edge flanges that flank opposite sides of the flap folding station and there clamp an intervening carton temporarily stopped at this station. The conveyor means which picks up each carton at the flap folding station and transports it forward after a flap folding operation is performed thereon preferably is of the chain conveyor type having ltransverse flight bars that travel above these rail inside flanges beneath the elevating head at the flap folding station which carries the mechanisms for folding the top flaps down to carton closing positions. When, as is proposed in that parent application, this flap folding head also carries beyond the flap folding station top taping mechanism, interference with the latter by the transverse flight bars of the chain conveyor must be avoided.

For this purpose and in connection with the development of one phase of the present invention the conveyor flight bars had to be lowered relative to the top edges of the opposed inside flanges of the clamping rails so that there was only about one-eighth of an inch (1s) clearance and the height of these rail inside flanges required reduction to about one inch (1). The resulting narrow carton clamping faces of these rail flanges increased the danger of crushing carton sides in the clamping action, and in the case of the small cartons having heights in the three to four and one-half inch (3-41/2") range effective clamping and properly aligned orientation was found to CIK be unreliably attained due to the prevalence of the rounded corners and resulting tendency for such small cartons to be forced up or to jump over the opposed low rail side flanges.

It was further found in the development of the present invention that cartons of all sizes receivable by this closing machine, including the small ones of heights in the three to four and one-half inch (3"41/2) range, could be effectively centered in square orientation and securely clamped if the opposed clamping faces of the clamping and guiding members or the opposed rails thereof were provided in a form to attain an effective elevation at the time of clamping action of a minimum of about one and one-half inches (l1/2). This led to the solution of the present invention.

These problems were solved 'by designing elevating and retractable carton side engaging means supported on at least one of the pair of opposed carton clamping and guiding members or rails at the inner side of the latter to constitute the means of contacting a side of a carton pausing at the flap folding station. In the event that one of these members or rails is embodied with a fixed mount in a position to extend outside of the interference zone, i.e., transversely beyond the path of the transverse flight bars, it may have an inner side clamping and guide face of the required minimum elevation in the form of a fixed face or flange structure. The opposed and cooperative clamping and guiding member or rail is mounted for transverse drive and retraction relative to this fixed one and is equipped with this carton side engaging means of unique form characterizing the present invention. Preferably both of the clamping and guiding members or rails are mounted within the interference zone and are thus provided on their inner clamping sides with such carton side engaging means.

The present invention also provides means movably mounting each such carton side engaging means on the clamping and guiding member or rail supporting it for alternate elevation and retraction or motion away from the latter and the conveyor means toward the flap folding sub-assembly carried by the elevating head, for appreciable lap against the opposed carton side, and lowering such carton side engaging means toward the member or rail supporting it and the conveyor means to minimize projection thereof. This invention also provides means to effect such retraction as the conveyor means picks up the pausing carton at this station and transports it forward. The retraction of the extending carton side engaging means thus permits the free passage of each lowered flight bar of the conveyor means.

In association with such novel carton side engaging means there is also provided unique improvements in the mechanism for driving the opposed carton clamping and guiding members or rails toward each other to carton clamping positions and -to reduce the clamping pressure against the carton sides sufficiently to permit eachl closed carton to .be carried forward by the conveyor means with the opposed members or rails serving as effective guides. Such unique improvements simplifies the structure and mechanisms pnovided for this purpose in the identified parent application Ser. No. 219,212. 'Ilhe present invention also encompasses an improvement in the means for temporarily stopping each carton at the flap folding station yand then releasing it for forward transport by the conveyor means to beneath the top tape applying mechanism in the event that the machine is equipped wit-h such, this stopping means being separate from the conveyor means for separate operation thereof.

Another aspect of the 4present invention is concerned with a speed up of the rate of flap folding and carton closing operations effected by mechanisms of the machine to 'realize an appreciable increase in the rate of product-ion performed by the machine. This is accomplished by so operating the periodically stopped chain conveyor section of the machine as to cause it to coast up to abutment of one of its transverse flight bars against the back end of each carton temporarily clamped in a stopped positio-n at the fiap folding station, so that when the carton is released thereafter for further transport forward it will be picked up almost instantaneously for `the `further transport.

In the event that any one of the group of cartons is delivered to the flap folding station ahead of Ithe next oncoming flight bar of the chain co-nveyor and, in connect-ion with this second aspect of the invention, the carton is stopped at this station by means separate from the chain conveyor there is no need to apply braking action to the chain conveyor. If in the temporary absence of such braking action the chain conveyor carries forward such following yHight bar to abutment of the rear end of the carton stopped at the hap folding station the chain conveyor will be stopped by the pausing carton which is held by its separate stopping means. In accomplishing this action the drive of the chain conveyor must be reduced in force with ultimate slippage in order to avoid crushing the carton which, in accordance with the present invention, is accomplished in a unique manner.

This new development in the carton stopping and chain conveyor drive also taires into account in an effective manner the possibility that the next succeeding carton may not be delivered past the entrance gate at the time the chain conveyor advances its next oncoming flight bar toward such initially critical position of this next entering carton. In such case braking power is applied to the chain conveyor to hold it stopped u-ntil this succeeding carton is delivered forward past such initially critical position toward or to the ap folding station and the separate carton stopping means thereat.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter, and the invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view to reduced scale, with parts omitted for clarity, of 1a type of automatic carton closing machine which embodies forms of carton clamping and guiding means and also conveyor mechanism and carton stopping means of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view to larger scale, with parts broken away, of the entrance end of the bed unit of the machine shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating features of the presen-t carton clamping and guiding means and of the conveyor and stopping means:

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, with parts in section, of the remaining discharge end of the bed of the machine;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a section of one of the carton clamping and guiding members or rails shown in FIG. 2, with parts broken away, on which lis mounted a carton side engaging means, that, by way of example and as is illustrated therein, may comprise a movable shoe capable of being alternatively elevated and retracted;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational View of the structure shown in FIG. 4, with one of the shoe operating transverse flight lbars of the chain conveyor being indicated in broken lines to illustrate its service in retracting the carton side engaging shoe;

FIG. 6 -is a sectional view taken substantially on linc 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view tolarger scale of carton stop gate means shown in FIG. 2, with `parts broken away;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of pneumatic equipment primarily designed to operate or transversely drive toward each other and alternatively to retract the carton clamping and guiding members or rails, as well as secondarily pneumatic means associated therewith that may serve effectively to elevate and retract the carton stop gate at the flap folding station; the parts of such pneumatic system being shown in their relative pos-itions to effect driving of the clamping and guiding rails in toward each other to opposite sides of a carton stopped at the flap folding station;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 9, illustrating parts of the pneumatic system in their relative positions as a carton is clamped at the tiap folding station between the opposed clamping and guiding members or rails;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIGS. 9 and l0, showing parts of the pneumatic system in relative positions to effect retraction of the carton clamping and guiding rails so as to spread them apart apprcciably to initial positions for receiving therebetween a next succeeding carton as transported forward to the fiap folding station;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 9, but illustrating another type of mechanism for operating the carton stoppiig gate at the flap folding station;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 1G of the pneumatic equipment shown in FIG. l2 Linder the FIG. l) conditions;

FIG. 14 is a partially diagrammatic side elevational view, with parts broken away and omitted for clarity, of the machine shown in FIG. 1, with the near side thereof removed for observation of conveyor operated control mechanism located on the -far side thereof, and showing the relationship of conveyor parts, carton entrance supply and feed means, carton stop means at the ap folding station and photocell controls with respect to a carton iniially being fed thereto;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 showing the advance position of parts of suc'h mechanisms as the carton is delivered to the flap folding station and conveyor means advanced to a posi'ion assuring substantialy instantaneous pick up thereby of a carton at the flap folding station after a 'liap folding operation has been performed at this station;

FIG. 16 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuitry of the machine depicted in FIGS. l to 3 incl. as well as solenoid valves illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 13 incl.;

FIG. 17 is a detail view, with parts in section and others schematic, of solenoid operated latch mcchani'm which may be associated with the 'front flap folding arm structure t0 hold this arm in its up, horizontal postiion for a time so as, during that period, to maintain the respective manipulated open and closed conditions of a gang of switches operated by the movement of this iiap folding arm, and until a closed carton has advanced through the machine to a certain point; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic wiring diagram of a portion of electrical circuitry of. another eembodiment of the -machine shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 incl. which employs variations of the electrical equipment proposed in FIG. 16 with respect to certain features and operational characteristics thereof.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals identify similar parts throughout, it will be seen, and particularly from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, that the embodiment of the automatic carton closing machine illustrated by way of example therein may be similar to that of our aboveidentil'ied patent application Ser. No. 2l9,2l2 and comprise a bed unit I and an elevating head unit 2 supported on the former by upwardly-extez1ding standards or columnar structure 3. Conventially the parts of the machine are made of suitable meals. The bed unit 1 has a rectangular frame structure supported upon suitable legs 4. The frame structure may include opposed sidewalls '5 and 6, a rea'ive'y low end wail 7 at the entrance end, and another end wall 8 at the discharge end.

The bed unit 1 is equipped with lateral conveyor means suitably supported by the frame sidewalls 5 and 6, and

this conveyor means has an entrance end in the vicinity of end wall '7 and a discharge end in the vicinity of end end wall 8. This conveyor means defines a longitudinal path of forward carton travel along which it successively transports a plurality of open-top cartons which may 'be of random sizes including those of relatively small heights, such as in the range of about three inches to four and one-half inches (3"-41/2). Such cartons are of conventional form being constructed, if desired, from corrugated board and rectangular in cross section with the edges of the top thereof provided with upwardly-extending front and back flaps respectively on the leading and trailing top edges and opposed upwardly-extending side flaps on the side top edges, all to be folded down to closed lateral lapping positions for securement in carton closing positions. The machine of the present invention is designed automatically to close successively the tops of such cartons in t'his manner after they have been loaded with the products to 'be marketed or shipped therein. Accordingly', any suitable feeding means, such as a roller conveyor 9, illustrated in FIG. l, will be mounted adjacent the entrance end of the bed unit 1, i.e., adjacent the end wall 7, successively to feed a supply of the loaded cartons over the top edge of the latter to the conveyor means. The frame structure of the 'bed unit 1 may include lateral sheet metal ledges 10 and 11 extending inwardly from the top edges of the sidewalls 5 and 6 for support of certain control devices as will appear hereinafter, and strengthening cross framing members may be embodied.

At the entrance end of the bed un't 1, in the vicinity of end wall 7, is mounted a liftable gate 12 shown in FIGS. l and 2. A cross shaft 13, having its ends supported by sidewalls v5 and 6 of the frame structure, pivotally supports a pair of swinging arms 14 which carry on their back ends a gate bar 15. The gate bar 15 may be in the form of a length of angle stock having an upwardly--extending, carton-barring flange 16. The gate bar 15 preferably supports thereon a rotatable roll '17 over which the bottom of a loaded carton may advance readily after a leading portion advances thereover. It will be understood that when the gate arms 14 are swung upwardly, or in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. l, the gate flange 16 will swing up above the plane defined by the tops of the series of feed rollers 9 to bar the leading end of a carton 'bottom supplied across the latter until this gate flange is lowered below this feed plane.

The conveyor means includes a continuously driven, initial endless section 27 indicated in FIG. 1 and seen in FIG. 2. For this purpose, an idling roller 28 may be rotatably supported by a pair of arms 29 pivotally mounted on the cross shaft 13, or, if desired, on a fixed position axis by suitable supporting means mounted to the machine frame. A driving shaft 3C- is rotatably supported by bearing units 31 between the frame sidewalls 5 and 6, and carr'es fixed thereto a driving roller 32. The initial conveyor section 27 preferably is in the form of an endless belt lapped about the rollers 23 and 32. As will be best seen from FIG. l, a bottom run of the conveyor belt 27 is lapped back and forth about idling rolls 33 and 34 with the latter supported by tension adjusting devices 35. The shaft 3f) carries a sprocket 36 fixed thereto to be driven by a drive chain indicated by dot-dot-dot-dash lines 37 in FIGS. 2 and 3A The endless driving chain 37 has a run lapped against a guiding idler 38 and is lapped about a driving sprocket 39. Driving sprocket 39 is one of a group of three thereof fixed together with the second 4t) constituting means for driving tape feeding mechanism and the third 41 constituting the driving sprocket about which is lapped a driving chain indicated by dot-dot-dash lines at 42 in FIG. 3. The group of Sprockets 39, 4t) and 41 are rotatably supported by a cross shaft 43 and the tape feed sprocket drives tape feeding mechanism cornprising sprockets 44 and 45 about which an endless chain is lapped and a sprocket 46 against which the drive chain 412 is lapped in turn to drive a cross shaft 47 of tape feed mechanism. The cndless chain 42 is lapped about a driving sprocket 48 fixed to a driving stub shaft 49 of a reduction gear unit 50 operated by a main driving electric motor 51. The driving stub shaft 49 also carries fixed thereto another driving sprocket 52 about which is lapped an endless driving chain indicated by dot-dash lines at 53 in FiG. 3, in turn lapped about a driven sprocket 54 rotatably supported by a cross shaft 55 equipped with suitable brake and clutch devices for` drive of a second conveyor section as is explained hereinafter.

Cross shaft 13 also carries, rotatably supported thereon, a pair of near and far idler sprockets 56 and 156, as will be seen in FIG. 2, while cross shaft 55 is rotatably supported by bearing units 57 and 157 carried by frame sidewalls S and 6. As will be seen in FlG. 3, drive shaft 5S carries fixed thereto a pair of near and far sprockets 53 and 158 respectively aligned with sprockets 56 and 156. The second endless conveyor section preferably is in the form of a pair of endless chains, indicated by dot- dash lizies 59 and 159 in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively lapped about sprockets 56 and 58, and 156 and 15S, for drive by sprockets 5S and 158. As will be best understood from FIG. 1, the lower run of each of the endless chains 59 and 159 is lapped beneath one of a pair of idiers 60 and 16() rotatably supported by a cross shaft 61 mounted between frarne sidewalls 5 and 6, and beneath another of a pair of idlers 62 and 162 rotatably supported by another cross shaft 63. The second endless conveyor section also includes a series of carton transporting flight bars 64 which, as is indicated in FIG. 1, may be two in number spaced longitudinally appreciably apart. The pair of conveyor chains 59 and 159 also may carry a plurality of reversed flight bars which may be similar to the flight bars 54. There may be a pair of these reversed fright bars, and each will constitute a carton stop having the function of holding a carton at a sensing and flap folding station when the second conveyor section pauses or is held in stop position. However, the illustrated embodiment of the machine preferably employs movable gate means at the exit end of this station to serve as such carton stop, and this mechanism is fully described hereinafter. The endless conveyor chain 59 on the near side, as viewed in FIG. l, also is equipped with a pair of tripping lugs 66-1 and 66-2 to be carried along therewith for operating certain limit conveyor means, and in order to attain certain production speedup of similar but longer tripping lugs 266-1 and 266-2 preferably are mounted on the companion conveyor chain 159 for a similar purpose as is demonstrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.

It will thus be seen that the initial conveyor section comprising endless belt 27 has an entrance end near the vicinity of the selector gate 12 and a discharge end at a point appreciably in advance thereof which is at a carton sensing and ap folding station. From the discharge end of the initial conveyor section or belt 27 suitable fixed carton-supporting structure extends forward, and this may be in the form of a pair of fixed fiat plates or rails 270 suitably supported between the frame sidewalls 5 and 6, such as by fixed cross rod beneath their front ends (see FIG. 2) and other similar support means. Carton support plates or rails 270 terminate in the vicinity of the discharge end wall 8. as will be seen from FIG. 3. The second conveyor section comprising conveyor chains 59 and 159 and their flights 64 extend forward at least from the discharge end of the belt conveyor 27 to the discharge end of the bed unit 1. As will be apparent from FIG. 2, preferably the entrance end of the chain conveyor apprcciably laps the discharge end of the belt conveyor and, in fact, has its chain-supporting front sprockets 56 and 156 rotatably supported on the same cross shaft 13 which pivotally carries the arms 29 rotatably supporting roller 28 about which the entrance cnd of the conveyor belt 27 is lapped, Thus, any carton which is delivered to the sensing and flap folding station by the conveyor belt 27 will be picked up there by an oncoming flight 64 of the chain conveyor to be slid forward over the rails 270 to the discharge end of the bed unit 1.

The near end of driven cross shaft 55 carries a housed magnetic brake 67-1 and the far end thereof carries a housed magnetic clutch 67-2, both of which are indicated in FIG. 3, and these units may be of conventional construction. For example, the frame sidewall may fixedly support through fixed housing 68 of the brake unit 67-1 xed field coils and core structure thereof opposed to an axially slidable armature therein. Hub 69 of drive sprocket 58 is keyed to the drive shaft 55 and the sprocket in turn carries circumferentially-spaced, axially-extending pins on 'which is slidably mounted for axial motion the armature, which may be in the form of a paramagnetic disc (hidden in housing 68). The xed core structure is annular and has a friction face equipped with suitable brake lining material opposed to a face of the slidable armature plate, so that when the brake field coil is energized the armature plate is drawn axially against the brake lining of the fixed magnetic core structure to clamp it thereto and prevent the driven cross shaft 55 from rotating. The clutch unit 6'7-2 is of somewhat similar structure with the field coil thereof also iixedly supported by housing 168 therewithin, which in turn is xedly mounted to the frame sidewall 6. The annular core structure is carried by a hub keyed to the driven shaft 55. While the hub 169 of sprocket 158 is also keyed to the driven shaft S5, the drive sprocket 54 has its hub freely supported on this shaft for relative rotation and axial motion toward the keyed core structure, and sprocket 54 may be constructed of paramagnetic material to serve as the annular armature. Thus, when the field coil of the clutch unit 67-2 is energized, the drive sprocket 54 will be slid axially outward a short distance to have its outer face engage a friction facing of suitable material carried by the annular magnetic core structure keyed to the shaft, to connect the shaft and the conveyor chain driving sprockets 58 and 158 of are not necessary to an understanding of their functions and operations, and they are alternately operated or energized for alternate periodic drive and pause of the chain conveyor section.

As will be understood from FIGS. l and 3, the support structure 3 includes an opposed pair of upwardly extending standards or columns and 175 which constitute supports for the elevating head unit 2, and these columns are lixedly mounted to the frame sidewalls 5 and 6 of the bed unit 1 in any suitable manner. The columns 75 and 175 preferably are of channel construction so as to provide guiding channels 76 and 176 for slides or carriage means therein that serve to carry a flap folding subassembly, and to house elevating mechanism. Opposite ends of the cross shaft 63 extend into the channels 76 and 176 and are fixedly mounted to these columns by any suitable means, such as stud bolts 77. Within the channels 76 and 176, fixed cross shaft 63 rotatably supports sprockets 78 and 178, forming a part of head elevating mechanism.

As will be understood from FIGS. 2 and 3, the bed unit 1 is equipped with suitable carton clamping and carton travel guiding means, preferably extending from the vicinity of the entrance end to a distance short of the discharge end of the bed unit 1, but entirely through the carton sensing and liap folding station in the vicinity of the discharge end of the initial conveyor section or belt 27. This carton clamping and guiding structure may be in the form of a pair of rails 8() and 180, which may be of channel formation, as shown, to provide on the inner sides thereof opposed upstanding fianges 31 and 181. As will be understood from FIGS. 2 and 3, the clamping and guiding rails 88 and 188 are suitably supported by a pair of transverse rods 82 and 83 mounted to the frame sidewalls 5 and 6. Each of the rods S2 and 83 supports a pair of slides 84 and 184 carrying bracket arms 85 and 135 to each of which is mounted one of the rails 80 and 188. Thus, the guiding and clamping rails and 180 are slidably supported on transverse rods 82 and 83 for transverse movement inward and outward relative to the center of the path of carton travel defined by the longitudinally-extending conveyor means. In their outward positions, depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rails 80 and 189 are at their initial carton-receptive positions to permit a carton fed over depressed gate 12 to the entrance end of the initial conveyor section belt 27 to advance therebetween. The front end of each of the rails 80 and 180 preferably is equipped with a freely rotating carton guide roller 86 to facilitiate entrance of a carton therebetween.

The clamping and guiding rails 80 and 189 are slid transversely back and forth on the guide rods 82 and 83 by suitable driving mechanism. Such rail driving mechanism may be in the form of a fluid pressure motor, such as a pneumatic cylinder 87 of the double-action type having its piston head 8S equipped with a through piston rod 89, The rail driving mechanism includes lateral sprockets 90, 91, 92, 93, 94 and 95'. Sprockets 90 and 92 are supported on frame sidewall 5 by a bracket 96 while sprockets 93 and 95 are supported by a similar, reverselyshaped bracket 196. Sprocket 91 is supported on sidewall 6 by a bracket 97 and a similar bracket 98 is employed to support sprocket 94 on the latter sidewall, as will be understood from FIG. 2. Lengths of link chain are lapped about the sprockets 9i) t0 95 incl. and anchored to opposite ends of the piston rod 89, with suitable connections to the slides 84 and 184 to drive the rails 80 and 180 transversely inward and outward. For example, a length 99 of such link chain is anchored to the right end of piston rod 89 as viewed in FIG. 2 and lapped about sprocket 98 to extend transversely to an anchor bolt 100 carried by slide 184 on slide rod 83. Slide 184 also carries another chain anchor bolt 200 to which one end of another chain length 199 is anchored, with the latter lapped about sprocket 91 to extend transversely back to another anchor bolt 308 carried by slide 8e on slide rod 83. The latter slide 84 also carries an additional anchor bolt 400 to which a third length 299 of the chain is connected, with the latter lapped about sprocket 92 to extend longitudinally back for lap about sprocket 93 and then transversely to a fifth anchor bolt S carried in like manner by slide 184 on vslide rod 82. This latter slide 184 also carries another anchor bolt 680 to which a fourth length of chain 399 is anchored and then lapped about sprocket 94- to extend transversely back to an additional anchor bolt 789 carried by slide 84 on slide rod 82, with a further anchor bolt 898 on the latter slide having connected thereto a fifth length of chain 499 lapped about sprocket 95 to extend longitudinally forward to connection with the left hand end of the piston rod 89. Thus, when the piston rod 89 of the pneumatic cylinder 87 is slid longitudinally to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2, the clamping and guiding rails Si? and 186i are driven transversely outward to their initial carton-receptive positions shown therein, and when the piston rod is then reciprocated in the opposite direction to the left in FlG. 2 these rails are driven transversely inward toward each other for approach of their inside flanges 81 and 181 to opposite sides of a carton delivered therebetween.

The 'front end of guiding and clamping rail 1.8@ carries opposite the belt conveyor section 27, in the area. of the carton sensing and flap folding station an adjustable control or sensing device 115, as will be seen in FIG. 2. For the purpose of supporting the adjustable control 115 upon the guiding and clamping rail |180, the latter carries a pair of opposed brackets 125 (see FIG. 2). The brackets 125 support therebetween a pair of longitudinally-extending guide rods 126 and 226 upon which a carriage 127 is slidably mounted. Carriage 127 supports a control device 128, which may be in the form of an electrical circuit switch biased to one of its open and closed positions and manipulated to the other thereof by an actuating arm 129. The switch actuating arm i129 is elongated and extends longitudinally forward while having its mid-section shaped to be disposed substantially parallel to the inward face of flange 181 of rail 180 when retracted or swung back by contact with carton side structure. Thus, when the rails 86 and 180 are driven inward toward each other with a carton disposed therebetween opposite the control 115, the back side of the carton which is opposed to the switch operating arm 2129 will first be contacted thereby. Then, as the rails 80 and 180 are brought to clamping positions against the opposite sides of the carton, this switch operating arm 129 will be retracted or pushed back to operate the switch 128. The control device comprising switch 128 and its actuating arm 129 are automat-ically adjustable along the path of carton forward travel as dictated by the width of the carton. For example, a narrow carton causes the clamping rails 80 and 180 to be driven inward toward each other an appreciable distance and the control device 128 will be advanced forward an appreciable distance. With wider cartons, where inward travel of the clamping rails 80 and 180' is relatively small, the control device 12S will be advanced forward only a short distance. This automatic adjustment of the position of the control device 128 is attained by substantially rigid tie means pivotally connected to the fixed structure of the bed frame and to the control carriage 127. For example, elongated rigid arm or strap 139 is pivotally mounted at 131 to bed frame wall 6, with its other end pivotally connected at 133 to the carriage y127, as will be understood from FIG. 2. Thus, as rail 80 is driven transversely inward toward the center of the longitudinal path of carton forward travel, the tie 130 is swung counterclockwise to pull the control carriage 127 forward along the guide rods 126 and 226. This forward adjustment of the position of the control device 115 is proportionate to the width of the carton at the carton sensing and iiap folding station.

The machine bed unit 1 also is provided with additional control equipment. As will be seen from FIG. 1, the frame of the bed unit 1 supports a limit control 135, which may be in the form of electrical circuit switching means having a plurality of switches mechanically linked together for simultaneous operation. The limit switch 135 is provided with an actuating trigger 136 designed to be swung up and down and biased to its downward position with a drag roller 137 carried by its lower end. Limit switch 135 preferably is supported upon ledge 10 beyond the head-supporting upright column 75, such as in the vicinity of the location X|1 indicated in FIG. 3, so that the roller 137 on the actuating trigger 136 will be dragged over the next oncoming traveling lug 661 or 66-2 carried by conveyor chain 59. When the upper run of conveyor chain 59 in its forward travel causes lug 66-1 to engage the trigger 136, the latter will be swung up to actuate Ithe switches in the limit switch unit 135, and the circuit switches thereof will be held to their respective manipulated positions until this run of the conveyor chain advances suiiiciently to free the trigger and thus permit the limit switches to be returned to their initial positions. A similar limit switch 235 preferably is mounted at location X-Z on frame ledge 111 (FIG. 3) to be tripped by lugs 266-1 and 266-2 carried by conveyor chain 159 (see FIGS. 2, 14 and l5).

Additional sensing devices are provided on the machine bed unit 1, which may be in the form of optical carton sensing devices. For example, as will be seen from FIGS. l and 2, the ledge [10 may support at 138, in the vicinity of the selector gate 12 and slightly in advance thereof a photocell responsive to the light beam from a light source 139 supported on the opposite side by ledge 11. At the sensing and iiap folding station Y, ledge 10 may support in similar fashion, substantially at the point .140, a second photocell arranged opposite to a second light source for response to the beam thereof, with the latter being located substantially at the point 141. The functions of the photoeells at 138 and 140 will be explained in connection with the wiring diagram of FIG. 16 and the operation of the machine detailed hereinafter.

In FIG. l is shown in dot-dash lines an open-top carton -134 of relatively shallow depth or short height located opposite the photocell optical sensing device 140 at the sensing and flap folding station Y, beneath a flap folding and carton closing head 142 supported for elevating travel upon the upright columns 75 and 175. Head 142 includes a lateral frame member or beam 143 which supports a iiap folding sub-assembly which may include a depending post 144. The bottom end of depending post i144 pivotally carries at 145 a front flap folding arm structure 146, which, due to gravity biasing, normally depends in the top elevated position of the head 142 shown in FIG. 1 obliquely down and forward to the full line position shown in FIG. l. The front ap folding arm structure 146 carries a linger 147 which engages a trigger 148 of another limit control, which may be an electrical circuit switch device 149 supported on the post 144. In the full line position of the front flap folding arm structure 146 shown in FIG. 1 -its finger i147 holds the switch trigger 148 forward to a tripped position to hold the switch in one of its open and closed positions. When the front ap folding arm structure 146 is swung upward to a lateral position, indicated by broken lines in FIG. 1, the trigger 148 of switch 149 is`released to permit the switch to be actuated to the other of its two positions. The bottom of the depending post 144 has anchored thereto, such as by welding, one end of a folded iiap hold-down device in the form of a resilient presser strip 150, which extends forward with its free end unsupported, to cooperate with the front liap folding arm structure i146. As will be seen from FIG. 1, the liap hold-down strip 15) may have a continuating portion at its anchored back end, which is turned up obliquely and then inward to additional anchorage to the depending post 144, so as to provide a wedgeshaped stop 250 for a back iiap folding arm or kicker hereinafter described. v

The elevating liap folding head 142 also may have a forwardly extending lateral frame member A which supports suitable flap securing mechanism, which may be tape applying means of the type disclosed in outcopending patent application for U.S. Letters P-atent Ser. No. 139,676, filed Sept. 21, 1961, now Patent No. 3,236,716, including pairs of wipe down arms B and C, to which are supplied from a suitable tape supply reel D lengths of gummed tape to be adhesively affixed over overlapping liaps of a carton top after the iiaps have been folded down in stacked or overlapping relation. Similar tape applying devices are carried by the bed unit 1, including another adhesive tape supply reel E (see FIG. 1), tape feed and drive sprockets 40, 44 and 45, tape mechanism cross shaft 47 and sprocket 46 supported thereby, tape feed actuators F (supported on rail 180, see FIG. 3) and associated structure.

The lateral frame member or beam 143 of head 142 pivotally supports at 151 a carton back flap folding arm or kicker 161 as part of the tiap holding sub-assembly, as will be seen from FIG. l. The back flap folding arm or kicker 161 is normally held in an extended or substantially lateral position when the ilap folding head 142 is elevated to the maximum height of its vertical travel, as is shown in FIG. 1. For this purpose the lateral beam 143 carries a kicker actuating means, preferably in the assauts form of a pneumatic cylinder 163, as is shown in PEG. 1. This pneumatic cylinder 163 is of the double-action type with pressurized fluid being alternately fed to opposite ends on opposite sides of its piston head by suitable conduit means. Piston rod 167 mounted to the piston head of the pneumatic cylinder 163 is connected by a knuckle to a lever arm fixed to the pivoted kicker 161. Thus, when pressurized air is supplied to the back end of pneumatic cylinder 163 the rear flap kicker 161 is swung backward and upwardly to its substantially lateral cocked position, shown in full lines in FIG. l, with the head space of the cylinder in front of its piston head being vented. It will be seen from FlG. l that the bottom side of the rear ap kicker 161 is provided with a depending tapered nose 172 having an oblique rear face 173-1 which, when the kicker is swung down to its depending position indicated in dot-dash lines in FIG. l, is oriented to substantial parallelism with the oblique stop 25). The cocked kicker 161 is swung down to this position to engage or strike the rear face of an upstanding back flap on the trailing end of the open top of a carton and kick it forward to folded lateral position by reversing the pneumatic connections to cylinder 163 to retract the piston rod 167. When the kicker 161 is swung down the oblique rear face 173-2 of its tapered nose 172 provides a at lateral bottom surface substantially in the horizontal plane of the bottom surface 1416-1 of front ap folding arm structure 146 when swung up, as are indicated in dot-dash lines in FIG. l. These aligned bottorn surfaces of the flap folding arms 146 and 161 maintain the folded front and back aps in a common lateral plane during forward transport of the carton which effects the folding down of the side fiaps.

The top of the column 75 and 175, which support the head 2 for vertical reciprocation, fixedly support at their top ends a reversing electric motor 1712i, as is indicated in FIG. 1. The drive of reversing motor 174 is suitably geared to a pair of top drive sprockets 177 and 277 carried by the top ends of the columns 75 and 175. Drive chain 178 is lapped about drive sprocket 177 in the vicinity of the top end of column channel 75 and about the bottom idler sprocket 78, shown in FIG. 3 with opposed ends thereof anchored by suitable means at 179 to a slide 182 riding up and down in channel 76. In similar fashion, a like chain (not shown) is lapped about the far top sprocket 277 and bottom idler Sprocket 178, and is anchored in like fashion to a similar slide of reversed form located in channel 176 of column 175. The opposed pair of slides 182 are suitably tied together to act as a carriage unit. The carriage comprising the pair of slides 182 and its companion suitably support the lateral frame member or beam 143 for vertical travel down and up therewith. Thus, when the reversing vertical travel motor 174 is driven in one direction the entire head structure 2 is lowered to position its iiap folding means above an open top carton at the sensing an-d flap folding station Y, such as carton 134 indicated in FIG. l, and when driven in the opposite direction will lift this head structure to its initial elevated position, such as that indicated in full lines in FIG. 1.

Maximum limits of up and down motion of the head structure 2 are dictated by suitable limit means, which may be in the form of switch means in electrical circuitry of the reversing motor 17d. Such switch means may be of the double-throw type so as alternately to open the energizing circuits of the reversing motor 174i to limit the down and up drive thereof. Such reversing motor control switch unit 186 is suitably mounted on slide 132. Switch unit 186 is provided with a doubleaction actuating trigger 187 arranged to be abutted in its up and down travel to bottom and top stop collars 190 and 193, fixed upon a vertical control rod 191 supported by bed unit frame ledge 10 and the back edl [lange of column channel 75. The bottom stop collar will limit lowering of the head structure 2, so as to assurevthat no parts thereof will be driven down to iam against any of the bed unit structure should the down energizing circuit of the reversing motor 174 accidentally be closed in the absence of a carton at the sensing and flap folding station, thus being provided as a safety measure.

As will be seen from FIG. 1, the ap folding head structure 142 includes suitable carton side iiap folding plows 233 having their initial top ends at 234 mounted to the head beam 143 by a bracket block 236 and from which they extend obliqucly down in an advance direction while converging toward each other. As is presently known in the art, plows of such shape will gradually turn over and fold down upwardly-extending carton flaps when they are moved forward to engagement of their outside faces against the inner sides of such plows.

As has been previously indicated each of the carton clamping and guiding members or rails 8G and 180 is provided with a carton side engaging means carried thereby or supported thereon at its inner side in the area of the sensing and ap folding station Y to constitute the means of contacting a side of a carton, pausing at this station7 by structure of these members or rails. Such carton side engaging means are shown at 2&5 and 265i? in FIG. 2, with the parts of the latter being mirrored duplicates of those of the former. Thus, the structure of the device shown at 295 will here only 4be described in detail. The inward side of the clamping and guiding member or rail del, and its inside tiange 31 are provided with an elongated notch 204, and alike notch 204% is provided in the opposed side of the cooperating or companion member or rail 18).

As will e more fully understood from FIGS. 4 to 6 incl., upon the top face of the web of rail 80 is iixedly mounted a U-shaped channel section 206 by bolts 207 with its upstanding flanges 203 provided with transversely aligned holes 269 through which extends a pivot pin or bolt 210. A shoe 211 is pivotally mounted upon the pivot pin or bolt 211%. Shoe 211 is in the shape of an inverted channel section having an inward side flange 212 fitted for vertical motion in the notch or gap 21M and an outward side flange 213 provided with a rearwardly extending extension 214 having a hole 215 through which the transverse pivot pin or bolt 211i extends. As will oe seen from FIG. 5, the top edge 216 of the flange extension 214 is sloped in a forward direction obliquely upward to the top face of the shoe web 217 for camming upwardly an oncoming chain conveyor transverse flight bar 64, as will be explained later. An arm 218 is welded to the underside of the web 217 and is provided with a like hole 215 aligned with that in the flange extension 214 through which the transverse pivot pin or bolt 210 extends for pivotal mount of the shoe 211.

The upstanding lian-ges 203 of the channel section 206 carry a transverse fixed pin 2213 and the inverted` flange 2.1.3 of the shoe 211 and the forward end of the arm 213 have provided therein transversely aligned slots 221 in which the projecting ends of the pin 22() ride as stop means for limiting up and down swing of the shoe 211. Upon the forward end of the channel section 2116 is mounted a helical compression spring 222 upon which 'the forward end 223 of the pivoted shoe 211 rests so that it is spring biased upwardly.

it will thus be understood that with the pivoted shoes 211 of the carton side engaging means 2'35 and 265% swung upwardly to their extended positions as dictated `by the biasing of their springs 222 the opposed inward side flanges 212 will be brought to secure clamping contact against opposite sides of the carton 134 at the sensing and flap fielding static-n Y, there to have maximum lap against the surfaces of these carton sides and to assure the provision of the minimum height of clamping action to abort one and one-half inches (l1/2) found to be necessary to assure secure carton anchorage with properly aligned Orientation of the latter. As the front flap folding operation is performed at station Y upon the carton 134 held securely clamped thereat fbetween the clamping rails 80 and 180 the chain conveyor is started so that its top run travels forward to carry up behind the stopped carton one of the fiight bars 64 and cause it to pick up this carton for carrying it forward for performance of the fiap folding operation on .the upstanding rear carton flap. Then as the carton is carried farther forward by forwardly traveling fiight bar 64 the upstanding carton side flaps are lapped down over the folded front and rear aps to complete the closure of the carton top after which the closed carton is carried still farther forward beneath the tape applying mechanism mounted on beam A.

As will be explained later the clamping action of the clamping members or rails 80 and 180 is converted to a guide operation by reducing the clamping force to a low biasing pressure so as to permit the closed carton to be so carried forward from the flap folding station Y with guidance by these opposed rails. During this forward transport of the closed carton by the transverse flight Ibar 64 the upwardly projecting clamping shoes 211 which have their forward ends intercepting the path of forward travel of the transverse fiight bars must be lowered to permit free pasage of the latter. The oncoming flight bar 64, indicated in broken lines in FIG. 5, will ride along the upwardly sloping top edge 216 of the shoe Web 217 and over the latter to depress each shoe 211 for permitting such free passage of the flight bar. In order that the attendant frictional dr-ag between the bottom of each flight bar 64 and the top structure of each pivoted shoe 211 will not cause such rapid wear as to undesirably limit the life of the shoe structure the flight bar, or at least its bottom section, and the shoe, or at least its top section, advantageously may be made of steel and surface hardened. Alternately such friction surfaces may be protectively covered by tough friction reducing Imaterial, such as Tefion or simlar composition.

As has lbeen previously indicated means for stopping each oncoming carton at the flap folding station Y, for performance thereon of the front flap folding operation, thereafter to be withdrawn to permit the carton to be picked up by the chain conveyor and transported forward, may be a reversed transverse fiight ybar of the type and function taught in our prior application Ser. No. 219,212. However, this function may Ibe performed by movable gate means illustrated at 224 in FIG. 2 and shown in detail in FIGS. 7 and 8. This stop gate means may be in the form of a lift gate which in its elevated position intercepts the carton path and which may be retracted or lowered out of this path at the proper time.

It is preferred that such movable gate means 224 be in the form of a pivoted stop paddle structure 225 having a journal 226 through which a transverse pivot pin 116 extends. Movable gate means 224 is supported by means of a pair of longitudinal plates 1v1-'7 supported on transverse rods 65 and 83 of the machine frame, and these plates are tied together by a tie bolt structure 118 (see FIGS. 2, 7 and 8). Plates 117 support the transverse pivot pin 116. For the purpose of swinging this paddle structure 225 rearwardly up to intercept the carton path 4and swinging it forwardly down to a retracted position a pneumatic motor is provided which includes a cylinder 227 suitably supported at its back end 228, such as by ears 119 which pivotally receive therethrough tie bolt 118 for swinging motion of this cylinder, and the latter carries a reciprocating piston head 229 (see FIGS. 9 to 13 incl.). The piston structure of this pneumatic motor includes with the piston head 229 a piston rod 230 extending from out of the other end 231 of the cylinder -227 for driving connection with the pivoted stop paddle structure 225, such as by means of connector knuckle 232. Thus, when the piston rod 230 is thrust forward, i.e., back toward the entrance end of the machine, it will swing the pivoted paddle structure 225 counterclockwise to lift it up into the carton travel path to constitute a stop for each carton as the latter is moved up by the conveyor means into the flap folding station Y, as is indicated in FIG. 2. This stop paddle structure 225 will be retracted out of the carton travel path by clockwise swing forward upon retraction of the piston rod 230. Such reciprocative action of the piston rod 230 with attendant elevation and retraction of the stop gate paddle structure 225 will be explained more fully in connection with FIGS. 9 to 14 incl.

In FIGS. 9 to 11 incl. are shown diagrammatically pneumatic circuitry for association with and control of the clamping rail driving motor 87 including a source of pressurized gaseous medium or air and a pair of solenoid valves. It is therein proposed also to associate with such pneumatic circuitry the pneumatic means for controlling and manipulating the movable gate means 224 in the form of the pivoted stop paddle structure 225. IAs will be seen from FIGS. 9 to 1l incl. the pneumatic motor 87 includes a double-ended cylinder 301 in which is reciprocatively mounted piston head 88 provided with a through piston rod 89 fixed thereto. One end 302 of the cylinder 30.1 has projecting therethrough leading section 303 of the double-ended piston rod S9 to Which the initial section of the traverse chain 99 is connected for moving or driving the spread-apart clamping and guiding rails and 180 from their initial positions of FIG, 2 inward toward each other to clamping of an intervening carton at the station Y upon inward motion of this piston section. The other end 30'4 of pneumatic motor cylinder 301 has projecting therethrough the other end section 305 of the doubleended piston for connection to the traverse chain section 499 which, upon outward travel, cooperates in such in- Ward drive or approach of these clamping rails 80 and 180. In FIG. 9 the initial position of the piston head 88, as would be occupied under the FIG. 2 conditions, is indicated in dotted lines at 188, and it is shown traveling to the left for effecting the drive of the clamping rails 80 and inward toward each other to opposite sides of a carton stopped at the flap folding station Y.

The pneumatic circuitry diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11 incl. is shown in FIG. 9 as including a pair of solenoid valves 194 and 195. Since the main pressurized air supply, indicated at 306, is connected directly to one orifice of the solenoid valve 195 and thence through the next solenoid valve 194 to the pneumatic motor cylinder 301, solenoid valve 195 will be here identified as a first such valve, and solenoid valve 194 will here be considered as a second such valve. The solenoid valves 195 and 194 are modified forms of four-way valves. The first solenoid valve 195 has two orifices on the outlet side thereof, i.e., 1v1 and IIvl, indicated respectively at 307 and 308. This first solenoid valve 195 also has three orifices on the inlet side thereof, i.e., IIIvl, IVvl, and Vvl, indicated respectively at 309, 310 and 311.

Similarly, the second solenoid valve 194 has two orifices Iv2 and IIv2 on its outlet side respectively indicated at 312 and 313. The second solenoid valve 194 also has on its inlet side three orifices IlIv2, IVv2 and Vv2 respectively indicated at 314, 315 and 316.

The third and fifth orifices of solenoid valve 195, at 309 and 311, alternately serve as vents to atmosphere, and the fifth orifice at 316 of the second solenoid valve 194 periodically serves as a similar vent. v

The supply of pressurized air 306 is connected by a conduit 317 through a regulator 318 to the fourth orifice of solenoid valve 195 at 310, and its second orifice at 308 *A is connected by a conduit 319 to the fourth orifice 315 of the second solenoid valve 194. The supply of pressurized air 306 is also connnected by a conduit 320 through a regulator 321 to the third orifice 314 of the second solenoid valve 194. The first and second orifices at 312 and 313 of the second solenoid valve 194 are respectively connected by conduits 322 and 323 to first and second ducts or passages at I and I'I at 324 and 325 which communicate with the chamber of the pneumatic motor cylinder 301 at its respective ends '302 and 304. The regulator 31S is set 15 to provide a relatively high pressure of the gaseous medium or pressurized air, eg., forty-five pounds per square inch (45 lbs/sq. in.), and that at 321 is set to provide a relatively low pressure of the gaseous medium or pressurized air, eg., five pounds per square inch lhs/sq. in).

It may be found desirable to apply greater gaseous pressure to the stop gate operating cylinder 227 than that which is applied to the rail driving cylinder 301 as the relatively high pressure is fed to the latter. This may become desirable in connection with the handling of relatively heavily loaded cartons which entails application of appreciable positive pressure t0 the stop gate operator 229 to assure that the stop gate 225 will effect the required positive stoppage of such cartons at the ap folding station Y, while limiting the maximum pressure feed to the rail driving cylinder 301. This may be accomplished in a simple manner by moving the pressure regulator 318 out of the conduit 319 to a point intervening orifice 315 of the second solenoid valve 194 and the interconnection between conduit 319 and the conduit 332 which deliver the relatively high pressure to the stop gate operating cylinder 227, such as to the alternate point indicated at 318a in FIG. 9. As a consequence, the pressure of the source 306 may be raised to that determined to be sufficient to bias the carton stop gate 225 to its up position under all conditions of maximum load demand while assuring that the maximum pressure supplied to the rail driving cylinder 301 through the solenoid valve 194 will be limited to a lower value, such as forty-five pounds per square inch (45 lbs/sq. in.), as dictated by the regulator 319, when the later is located at the point 318a.

With the clamping rails 80 and 180, their traverse equipment and the piston structure of the pneumatic motor `87 in the initial positions illustrated in FIG. 2, energization of both of the solenoid valves 195 and 194 by means hereinafter described in connection with the diagrammatic showing in FIG. 16 of the electrical and pneumatic circuitries, pneumatic flow passages through these valves illustrated in FIG. 9 are attained. Thus, inlet orifice 310 of the first energized solenoid valve 195 is connected by a cross-passage 326 to its orifice 308 for feed through conduit 319 to orifice 315 of the second energized solenoid valve 194. Orifice 315 of energized solenoid valve 194 is connected by a cross-passage 327 to its orifice 312, whereby the relatively high pressure air is conducted through conduit 322 to the forward end 302 of the cylinder 301, so as to thrust the piston 88 in the latter back from its position at 18S toward its terminal position 288, both such positions being indicated in dotted lines. This action will cause the traverse chain 99-499 to drive the clamping rails S0 and 180 inward from their initial widely spread-apart positions toward each other with their clamping shoes 211 approaching to abutment of opposite sides of the carton 134 temporarily held stopped at the liap folding station Y by lift or stop gate 225. During such feed of the relatively high pressure air to the forward end 302 of the chamber of the pneumatic motor cylinder 301 air in the latter on the opposite side or behind the piston head `88 will be bled out through conduit 323 to orifice 313 of the second energized solneoid valve 194 for venting through orifice 316 thereof by a cross-passage 328.

After the front flap on the leading end on the carton 134, while the latter is clamped at the station Y, is folded back and downward upon the top of this carton the chain conveyor is started up to carry `forward one of its transverse fiight bars 64-1 and 64-2, so that the latter is brought up behind this carton to pick it up and transport it forward between the opposed rails 80 and 130 in their inward position which now serves as guides. For this purpose, the clamping pressure must be relieved to an appreciable degree so as to permit such slide of the carton between these now lightly elastically biased rails 80 and 130 in their inward positions. This is accomplished by deenergizing both of the solenoid valves 195 and 194 to manipulate them for establishing the flow passages therethrough illustrated in FIG. 10. Now the relatively high pressure or gaseous medium delivered through conduit 317 is cut off at the first de-energized solenoid valve 195 from communication to the pneumatic motor cylinder 301. However, the relatively low pressure gaseous medium is delivered through conduit 320 to orifice 314 of the second de-energized solenoid valve 194 for feed through its cross-passage 329 to orifice 312 for delivery by conduit 322 to the forward end 302 of the chamber of the cylinder 301. At the same time the air in the other end 304 of the cylinder 301 located on the opposite side of piston head 88 is continued to be vented through conduit 323 and now cross-passage 33t) established between orifices 313 and 315 of de-energized solenoid valve 194, thence via conduit 319 and finally from orifice 308 to vent orifice 311 by way of cross-passage 331 of de-energized solenoid Valve 195. As a result, the rails and 180 are elastically biased to opposite sides of the carton 134 under relatively light pressure, such as five pounds per square inch (5 lbs/sq. in.) to permit the carton to slide forward therebetween.

As will be best understood from the following description of operation in connection with the showing in FIG. 16 a very short period may intervene the attainment of the conditions depicted in FIGS. `9 and 10. During this period the solenoid valve may be de-energized shortly before solenoid valve 194 is cle-energized so that valve 195 is conditioned as shown in FIG. 10 while valve 194 remains energized as is indicated in FIG. 9. In this event solenoid valve 195 will feed the relatively high pressure air across from orifice 310 to orifice 307 for conduction by conduit 333 to the front end 231 of cylinder 227, thereby effecting retraction of stop gate 225. This is accompanied by venting the back end 228 of cylinder 227 through conduit 332, orifice 308, passage 331 and out vent orifice 311. As this occurs both supplies of pressurized air are cut off from communication with the clamping rail traverse cylinder 301, the relatively high at orifice 310 and the relatively low at orifice 314. The inwardly positioned clamping rails 80 and 180 remain abutted against the opposite sides of the carton at the flap folding station for the short time until the condition of FIG. 10 is attained to apply relatively low biasing pressure to these rails.

When the succeeding carton is admitted into the entrance end of the machine and fed forward toward the iiap folding station Y the first solenoid valve 195 again becomes energized while the second solenoid valve 194 remains de-energized. The condition of the pneumatic circuitry associated with the pneumatic motor 87 at such time is illustrated in FIG. 11. It will there be seen that now the relatively high pressure gaseous medium is again fed through conduit 317, eg., at forty-live pounds per square inch (45 lbs/sq. in.), to the energized first solenoid valve 195, through its cross-passage 326 to conduit 319, and thence through cross-passage 330 through the deenergized second solenoid valve 194 to conduit 323, to be supplied through the back end 3014 of pneumatic motor cylinder 301 behind the piston head l88 for urging the latter forward, back to its initial position 188. At the same time relatively low pressure gaseous medium, eg., at five pounds per square inch (5 lbs/sq. in.), is supplied through conduit 320 and by way of cross-passage 329 through de-energized second solenoid valve v194 and conduit 322 to the forward end 302i of the pneumatic motor cylinder 301, ahead of the piston S3 therein. The differential in pressures on opposite sides of the piston 8S, eg., forty pounds per square inch (40 lbs/sq. in.), is thus applied behind the piston head 88 to thrust it forward toward its initial position 138, so as to return the rail traversing equipment back to its initial positions of FIG. 2. This action retracts the rails 80 and 180 away from each other, so as to spread them apart for receiving therebetween 17 the next succeeding carton as it enters the entrance end of the machine.

The action described above in connection with FIGS. 9, and 11 is then repeated with this next carton as it is fed forward by continually traveling endless conveyor belt 27 to the flap folding station Y. As has been previously indicated, stop mechanism is required at the forward end of the flap `folding station Y, intercepting the path of forward travel of this succeeding oncoming carton, so as to stop it in proper position for lowering of the elevating head 2 down thereover to effect the initial ap folding operation, i.e., the folding back and down upon the top end of the carton its upstanding leading flap. As is pointed out above the stop mechanism to intercept this oncoming carton and cause it to pause at the flap folding station Y may be in the form of a retracted gate, such as that shown at 225 in FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 8 lor in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, which is to be lifted into a carton path intercepting position for abutment thereagainst of the leading end of the succeeding carton. As will be seen from the diagrammatic showing of the pneumatic circuitry in FIGS. 9 and 1l the pneumatic cylinder 227 and its pistou structure 229, 230 may perform this gate lifting operation by having the back end 228 of the chamber in this cylinder connected by a conduit 332 to the interconnecting conduit 319, to supply thereto, behind piston head 229 the relatively high pressure gaseous medium, e.g., at forty-live pounds per square inch (45 lbs/sq. in.), to thrust this piston head forward causing piston rod 230 to raise the stop gate 225 to its full line position shown therein. This action occurs when first the solenoid valve 195 is energized, and may happen when the clamping rails 80 and 180 are in their relative inward clamping positions and while solenoid valve 194 is de-energized, as depicted in FIG. 1l, so that these clamping rails will be driven away from each other to their spread-apart positions of FIG. 2, to be maintained in this up carton intercepting position as solenoid valve 194 is then energized, as indicated in FIG. 9, to drive these spread-apart rails inward toward their carton clamping positions. In starting up operation of the inactive machine the stop gate 225 is raised immediately when the circuitry is rst supplied with power causing solenoid valve 195 to be immediately energized, as will be explained in the description of FIG. 16. Thus the stop gate 225 is raised to its intercepting position to stop the next oncoming carton at the ap folding station Y and then the clamping rails 80 and 180 are brought snugly against opposite sides of the stopped carton at the flap folding station, with their clamping shoes 211 abutted to opposite sides of the carton under relatively high clamping pressure, e.g., forty-tive pounds per square inch (45 1bs./ sq. in.). With the application of the relatively high pressure gaseous medium behind the piston head 22,9 the gaseous medium or air in the head end 231 of the chamber of the cylinder 227 was vented by a conduit 333 connected to orifice 307 of the lirst energized solenoid valve 195 for venting through cross-passage 334 of the latter and its vent orifice 309.

As will be seen from FIG'. 10 when both solenoid valves 195 and 194 are then de-energized, the relatively high pressure gaseous medium is supplied through orice 3-10 and cross-passage 335 of the rst de-energized solenoid valve 195 to be fed through conduit 333 to the head end 231 of the chamber of stop gate cylinder 227. This causes the relatively high pressure to be applied to the opposite side or in front of the piston head 229 to cause it to retract piston rod 230 and effect attendant retraction or lowering of the stop gate 225. This gate retraction releases the carton for further forward transport at the time the inwardly located clamping rails 80 and 180 become biased with relatively low pressure gaseous medium to convert them to guiding rails. By reference to FIG. 11 it will be seen that when the first solenoid valve 195 again becomes energized with maintenance of the de-energization of the second solenoid valve 194 retraction of the guiding rails and '180 is begun and again relatively high pressure gaseous medium is fed to behind piston head 229 in the cylinder 227 to thrust it toward its maximum position of advance 229-1 for raising the gate 225 to its carton stopping position 225-1.

This cycle of operation of lifting and retracting the carton stopping gate 225 is cyclically performed simultaneously with the recycling operations of the inward drive and outward retraction of the rails 80 and 180, as are illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11.

It is to be understood that the alternate lifting and retraction of the stop gate 225 need not depend upon alternate pneumatic drive of its operating mechanism, such as the piston 229 of cylinder motor 227. As will be seen from FIGS. 12 and 13 the interconnecting conduit 332, which in FIGS. 9, 10 and l1 connects the back end of the chamber of cylinder 227 to the interconnecting conduit 319 for supply of relatively high pressure gaseous medium thereto periodically, may be omitted. In such case the stop gate mechanism 2240 may include a helical compression spring 336 mounted within the cylinder 2270 behind the piston head 229, with the back end 2280 of this cylinder vented, such as is indicated at 337. Such compression spring 336 thus constitutes the motor which thrusts the piston head 229 forward to cause piston rod 230 to raise the stop gate 225 to its carton path intercepting position, as is indicated in FIG. 12. This expansion of the motor spring 336 is permitted when the front end 231 of the cylinder 2270 is connected by means of conduit 333 to the vent orifice 309 by way of cross-passage 334 of the rst energized solenoid valve 195, with the cylinder chamber behind the piston head 229 being permitted to aspirate air through vent 337. Thus this lifting force is applied to the stop gate 225 to lift it up to its carton path intercepting position takes place at all times that retracting pressure is not applied to the front end 231 of cylinder 2270, including the time when the opposed rails 80 and 180 are driven to more progressively inward toward opposite sides of an oncoming carton, so as to stop the latter at the flap folding station Y, there ultimately to be securely clamped by these rails and their clamping shoes 211.

As will be seen from FIG. 13 when both of the solenoid valves and 194 are de-energized to apply relatively low pressure gaseous medium to the opposite side of the piston head 88 in the cylinder 301 of rail driving pneumatic motor 87 for conversion of these rails to carton guiding means the relatively high gaseous medium, eg., at forty-live pounds per square inch (45 lbs/sq. in.), is supplied from conduit 317 through cross-passage 325 of the first deenergized solenoid valve 195 and by way of conduit 333 to the front end of 231 of the cylinder 2270 so as to retract the piston head 229 and its piston rod 230 for withdrawing the stop gate 225 from the `path of the carton to allow it to be transported forward from the flap folding station Y. This action compresses the motor spring 336 with vent of air through the vent 337. This condition of FIG. 13 is maintained until the first solenoid valve 195 is again energized, such as while the de-energization of the second solenoid valve 194 is maintained for effecting the retraction of the guiding rails 80 and 180 from each other to permit reception of the next oncoming carton, as in FIG. 11, at which time feed of relatively high pressure gaseous medium to the front end 231 of cylinder 2270 is cut ofi to permit the spring 336 again to raise the stop gate 225.

As will be seen in FIGS. 14 and l5 lugs 2664 and 26d-2 carried by the far conveyor chain 159 are of appreciable length, being about thirty inches (30") long in an operative embodiment of the machine depicted by way of example in the drawings. As was previously indicated these lugs 265-1 and 266-2 are provided for successively engaging beneath roller 237 on the tip of trigger 236 which manipulates a second limit switch 235, the latter being biased to one condition of circuit control and when its trigger is tripped upwardly by either of such lugs carried therebeneath to manipulate it to another condition of circuit control. These lugs 25e-1 and 26e-2 are of the appreciable length shown so that the second condition of circuit control eiected by the tripping may be maintained for a proper time release. The relative positions of the pair limit switch tripping lugs 66-1 and 66-2 with respect to tripping lugs 2de-1 and 26S-2 are shown therein by the bracketing of the positions of the former (not viewable in FlGS. 14 and l5) for an understanding of the relative timing of the operations of the limit switches 135 and 23S, respectively controlled by the switch tripping lugs 65--1 and 656-2 on the conveyor chain 59 and the switch tripping lugs 26e-1 and 26e-2 carried by the conveyor chain 15%. The operations illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 and the actions dictated thereby are here explained in connection with the operational details described with refeernce to the circuitry shown in FlG. 16.

As is illustrated in FlG. 16 the electrical circuitry of the machine, shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, includes AC power supply lines L1, L2 and L3, to which are connected in parallel circuits to supply Such power to main motor 51 and AC reversing starter switches 253 and 254 of the vertical motion motor 17d. Starter switches 252 are closed by energization of a relay coil 2526. rihe Up starter switches 253, which dictate drive ot motor 17K@ in one direction for the litt ci the head 2, are closed by energization of a relay coil 253-9, and the Down starter switches at 254, which dictate reversed drive of this motor for lowering the head, are closed by energization of relay coil 25419. A brake coil 255 is associated with motor 174 to hold it in stopped position. A rectier circuit 25e for converting AC power to DC energy supplies the latter to magnetic brake 67-1 and magnetic clutch 67-2 through parallel circuits between conductors 342 and 3/13 thereof, and these parallel circuits are alternately closed. rlhe circuit of the magnetic brake 67-1 includes a biased-closed switch 256-1 and the circuit of the magnetic clutch 67-2 includes a biased-open switch 25d-2, and these switches are tied together for simultaneous alternate opening and closing by a relay coil 2560. Since relay coil 25nd is initially tie-energized, the brake circuit switch 25e-1 remains closed with the brake applied to the drive of the chain conveyor 59-159. ln the illustrated machine it is desirable to connect the clutch switch 25e-2 to conductor 342 alternately through a voltage reducer and a full voltage line 345 respectively by means of a normally closed switch 341-2 and a normally open switch 341-3 tied together for simultaneous manipulation.

The rectiiier circuit 256 also supplies DC power to a photocell system 1386, which includes the photocell 13d in the vicinity of the entrance selector gate 12 (See FIG. l) and a light source 139 arranged on the opposite side of the machine for directing a photocell exciting beam upon lthis photocell (see FIGS. 14 and l5), and a photocell system 1436, which includes the photocell 14d at the sensing and ap folding station Y (see FIG. l) and its exciting light source 141 on the opposite side of the machine (see FIGS. 14 and l5). The energizing circuit for the photocell systems 13% and 14d@ includes a normally open switch 262-1 which is to be closed by energization of a relay coil 252i).

A normally open switch 259, which is to be closed manually to eiect initial operation of the machine, is connected in series with the relay coil 2620 in one of a plurality of parallel circuits connected to neutral line N of the power supply circuit for bridging across the latter. Another one of these parallel circuits includes a normally open Start push button switch 253 connected in series with the relay coil 25211 which controls the main motor starter switches 252. The Start push button switch 263 is shunted by a holding circuit which includes a magnetic overload switch 265 and a normally open switch 252-11 controlled by relay coil 252i?, so that when the latter is energized this holding circuit will continue to supply energy to the branch circuits leading from this Start push button switch. There is connected to the parallel circuit which includes in series the Start push button switch 263 and the relay coil 2520, at a point therebetween, a branch circuit which includes in series a normally closed switch 262-2, which is under the control of relay coil 2621?, and the relay coil 2569. This normally losed switch 2132-2 is shunted by a holding circuit which includes in series a normally open switch 262-3, also uuder the control of relay coil 262e and a held open switch 13S-1 which is biased toward closure. To the same coniu mon point of connection between the Start push button switch 263 and the relay coil 2521i is connected another branch circuit which includes a held open head switch 1019-1 that is biased toward closure, a conductor 161 which leads to a normally open switch 341-1 that is tied to normally closed switch 341-2 and normally open switch 341-3 for simultaneous manipulation, a held closed switch 13S-2 which is biased toward open position, and a conductor 102 connected to the branch line which includes in series the normally closed switch 252-2 and the relay coil 25st) at a point intermediate these latter switch and relay coils. A relay coil 341@ is connected between conductor 101 and the neutral line N to be in parallel with the normally open switch 341-1, held closed switch 13S-2 and relay coil 25nd. Relay coil 341@ when cle-energized under the conditions depicted in FIG. 16 permits switches 341-1 and 3451-3 to remain open and switch 341-2 to remain closed, and when energized closes switches fidi-1 and 3421-3 and opens switch 3431-2.

Held open switch 13S-1, which is biased toward closure, and switch 13S-2, which is held closed and biased toward open condition, are tied together for simultaneous manipulation. These two switches are embodied in the limit switch 135 that is under the control of the trigger 136 which is periodically tripped successively by the lugs 66-1 and 6%-2 carried by the conveyor chain 59 (see FIG. 1). For example, when the lug 535-1 is beneath the trigger 136 of limit switch 13S to trip it up and hold it in such tripped position switch 135-1 is open and switch 13S-2 is closed, as is indicated in FG. 16, and they are held in these respective conditions by the maintenance of this tripping by tlis lug located beneath the roller 137 of the tripping trigger 136, as in FIG. 1.

A branch circuit is connected to the common point between the Start push button switch 263 and the relay coil 252@ through normally open switch 262-3 (by connection to the mentioned shunt circuit between the latter and the held open switch 13S-1) with this branch circuit including in series a biased closed switch 23S-1 of limit switch 135, normally open photocell switch 14d-1, a held closed head switch 149-2 which is biased toward open position, a biased closed travel limit switch 18e-1 and the relay coil 254i?, thence to the neutral line N. At a point intermediate the normally open photocell switch 149-1 and the held closed head switch 149-2 and the neutral line N is connected a branch circuit including the energizing winding of solenoid valve 19d. Beyond the biased closed limit switch 23S-1 is provided a second branch circuit for simultaneous control with the immediately precedingly described branch circuit, this second branch circuit including in series a conductor 26S connected to this intermediate point ahead of photocell switch 149-1, second normally closed photocell switch 14d-2, a normally closed manual switch 272, another biased closed travel limit switch 18d-2 and the relay coil 253i), thence to connection with the neutral line N. To the common connection between photocell switches 1656- 1 and 149-2, intermediate the biased closed limit switch 23S-1 and the normally open photocell switch 1451-1 is connected another branch conductor 267 which includes a normally closed manual switch 274, another held closed head switch 149-4 which is biased toward open position, and the winding of solenoid valve 19S, thence to the neutral line N. The normally open photocell switch 140-1 and the normally closed photocell switch 140-2 are tied together for simultaneous manipulation when the photocell system 1400 is energized by a light beam emanating from light source 141 falling upon photocell 140 (in the absence of an intervening carton at the ilap folding station Y). Thus, when the photocell system 1400 becomes de-energized (by interception of this light beam emanating from light source 141 to prevent it from impinging upon photocell 140 as a result of intervention by a carton) normally open photocell switch 140-1 is closed and its companion switch 140-2 is opened.

A pair of normally open manual switches 273 and 275 are respectively connected in parallel circuit conductors 276 and 277 with normally open switch 273 leading to connection with biased closed travel limit switch 186-2. The normally open manual switch 275 is connected by a conductor 103 to a point intermediate the held closed head switch 149-4 and the winding of solenoid valve 195. The bank 271 of manually and simultaneously operable switches, consisting of normally closed switches 272 and 274, and normally open switches 273 and 275, are provided so as to permit quick and ready freeing by a single manual act of a damaged carton in the machine. Thus no further consideration need given here to this bank 271 of manual switches with respect to the operation of the machine in successively closing a plurality of random sized cartons.

Parallel circuit 27S includes in series normally closed switch 262-4 and the winding of selector` entrance gate solenoid valve 197, this normally closed switch being opened enegization of relay coil 2620 so that the selector gate 12 is initially in its up, carton-barrin g position shown in FIG. l. Parallel circuit 269 has connected in Series therein a normally open switch 262-5, a second biased closed limit switch 23S-2, a normally open photocell switch 13S-1 and a relay coil 2660, thence to the neutral line N. A cross-connection between parallel circuits 269 and 278 is provided through a normally closed switch 266-1 between a point intervening biased closed switch 23S-2 and normally open photocell switch 13S-1, and a point intervening normally closed switch 262-4 and entrance gate solenoid valve 197. Thus, when switch 262- is closed by energization of relay coil 2620 upon initial closure of the manual switch 259 with resulting opening of switch 262-4 (also associated with this now energized relay coil) the entrance gate solenoid valve 197 will be energized for a short period to permit entrance of an open carton at the position Z in FIG. 1 to the machine for closing, as will be explained more fully later in connection with the description of a typical operation of the machine. The entrance of such carton to the machine will cause it to intercept the beam of light impinging upon the photocell 138 at the entrance gate so as to stop excitation thereof and effect closure of the photocell switch 138-1. Thus the relay coil 2660 becomes energized to open its normally closed switch 2-66-1 for deenergizing entrance gate solenoid valve 197 and closing its normally open switch 266-2 which is shunted around photocell switch 133-1 to provide a holding circuit for this relay coil. This circuitry also has associated therewith another energizing circuit for the relay coil 2560. This other energizing circuit for relay 2560 consists of a conductor 104 having one end connected between the relay coil 2660 on the one hand and the switches 266-2 and 13S-1 on the other hand. The other end of conductor 104 is connected between the switches 341-1 of relay coil 3410 and the conveyor operated limit switch 135-2. Conductor 104 has therein a second photoswitch 13S-2 which is normally closed to be opened when the photocell 138 is de-excited.

Another parallel circuit which provides for alternate retractive and hap-folding striking action of the back ap kicker 161 is provided and includes in series biased closed sensing switch 128, a held open head switch 149-3 22 which is biased toward closed position and solenoid valve 193 which operates the back flap kicker.'

It will thus be seen that relay coil 2620 controls tive switches, viz., normally open switches 262-1, 262-3, and 262-5 and normally closed switches 262-2 and 262-4. It will also be seen that the relay coil 2520 controls four normally open switches, viz., the three in the power supply lines connected to the main motor 51 and holding circuit switch 252-4 shunted around the Start push button 263. Relay coil 2560 manipulates simultaneously the normally closed brake circuit switch 256-1 and the normally open clutch circuit switch 256-2. The relay coil 3410 simultaneously manipulates its normally open switches 341-1 and 341-3 and its normally closed switch 341-2. The head switch 149, which is carried by the elevatin g head 2 and is manipulated by the front flap folder arm 146, has embodied therein four switches, viz., held open switches 149-1 and 149-3 which are biased toward closed positions and held closed switches 149-2 and 149-4 which are biased toward open positions. Entrance gate photocell 138 simultaneously controls normally open photocell switch 13S-1 and normally closed photocell switch 13S-2. Flap folding station photocell 140 simultaneously controls normally open photocell switch 140-1 and normally closed photocell switch 140-2. Held open limit switch 13S-1 which is biased toward closed position and held closed limit switch 13S-2 which is biased toward open position are tied together for simultaneous operation by tripping of the limit switch 135 upon travel therepast of tripping lugs 66-1 and l66-2 carried by conveyor chain 59. Biased closed limit switches 23S-1 and 23S-2 are tied together and embodied in limit switch 235 which is operated periodically by travel therepast of the tripping lugs 266-1 and 266-2 carried by the other conveyor chain 159. The biased closed switches 186-1 and 186-2 in the head lowering and elevating circuits are embodied in the switch 156 carried by the elevating head 2 with switch 186-1 being opened upon contact of the switch trigger 187 with the bottom trip collar 190 to limit downward movement of this head and with switch 186-2 being opened upon trip of this trigger by top collar 193 upon raising of the head (see FIG. 1).

Operation on random size cartons which may include some of 3 to 41/2" depth The machine illustrated by way of example in the drawings, when equipped with electrical and pneumatic systems diagrammatically depicted in FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 16, will operate as follows when a series of cartons of random size are fed to the entrance end thereof by the supply conveyor 9. Such random size cartons may include some relatively small ones which have shallow depths in the range of about three to four and one-half inches (3-41/2), or may consist of all such small cartons. Reference should be made to the wiring diagram of FIG. 16. The power is turned on to feed current to main supply lines L1, L2 and L3, the switch 259 is closed manually to energize relay coil 2620l and the Start7 push button switch 263 is closed to energize relay coil 2520. Resulting energization of relay coil 2620 closes its normally open switches 262-1, 262-3 and 262-5 and opens its normally closed switches 262-2 and 262-4. The energization of relay coil 2520 closes starter switches 252 to effect continued drive of the main motor 51 (FIGS. 1 and 3) and holding switch 252-4 shunted around push button switch 263 to continue the energization of this relay coil. With the supply of power to the FIG. 16 circuitry the rectifier circuit 256 was also energized. The drive of main motor 51 effects constant drive of initial belt section 27 of the conveyor means.

The second section of the conveyor means, which is preferably in the form of a chain conveyor provided with a pair of uniformly spaced transverse flight bars 64-1 and 64-2, is held in stop position by virtue of the fact that tripping lug 66-1 is located beneath the trigger4 136

Claims (1)

1. IN AN AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE FOR FOLDING DOWN AND INWARD THE UPWARDLY-EXTENDING FRONT AND REAR FLAPS OF A SERIES OF SUCCESSIVE OPEN-TOP CARTONS TO CLOSED LATERAL POSITIONS, INCLUDING THOSE OF RELATIVELY SHALLOW DEPTHS, THE COMBINATION WITH (A) LATERAL CONVEYOR MEANS HAVING AN ENTRANCE END AND A DISCHARGE END AND DEFINING A PATH OF FORWARD CARTON TRAVEL ALONG WHICH SAID CONVEYOR MEANS TRANSPORTS EACH CARTON, (B) A CARTON SENSING AND FLAP FOLDING STATION LOCATED AT A POINT ALONG SAID PATH, (C) A MOVABLE FRONT AND REAR FLAP FOLDING SUB-ASSEMBLY MOUNTED FOR MOTION ALONG A PATH AT AN ANGLE TO SAID CARTON TRAVEL PATH TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE OPEN TOP OF A CARTON AT SAID STATION, (D) CARTON SENSING MEANS LOCATED ALONG SAID CARTON TRAVEL PATH RESPONSIVE TO THE PRESENCE OF AN OPENTOP CARTON AT SAID STATION TO DICTATE ADVANCE OF SAID FLAP FOLDING MEANS TOWARD THE UNFOLDED AND UPWARDLY-EXTENDING FLAPS THEREOF AND TO FOLD THE FRONT FLAP BACK AND INWARD TO CLOSING POSITION, (E) CARTON HEIGHT CONTROL MEANS AT SAID STATION RESPONSIVE TO THE TOP OF SAID CARTON TO STOP THE ADVANCE OF SAID FLAP FOLDING SUB-ASSEMBLY UPON INWARD FOLDING OF THE FRONT FLAP DOWN UPON THE CARTON TOP, (F) MOVABLE REAR FLAP FOLDING MEANS ALSO CARRIED BY SAID FLAP FOLDING SUB-ASSEMBLY TO FOLD THE REAR FLAP FORWARD AND INWARD TO CLOSING POSITION, (G) MEANS TO CAUSE EACH OPEN-TOP CARTON TO PAUSE AT SAID STATION FOR PERMITTING ADVANCE OF SAID FLAP FOLDING SUB-ASSEMBLY TO THE TOP OF SAID PAUSING CARTON AND AFTER PERFORMANCE OF A FLAP-FOLDING OPERATION THEREON TO RELEASE SAID PAUSING CARTON FROM SAID STATION FOR TRANSPORT BY SAID CONVEYOR MEANS TO THE DISCHARGE END, (H) A PAIR OF OPPOSED, LONGITUDINALLY-EXTENDING, CARTON CLAMPING AND GUIDING MEMBERS FLANKING OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID STATION WITH AT LEAST ONE MOVABLE TRANSVERSELY RELATIVE TO THE OTHER FOR RELATIVE APPROACH TEMPORARILY TO CLAMP THEREBETWEEN A CARTON PAUSING AT SAID STATION AND FOR RELATIVE RETRACTION TO PERMIT RECEPTION THEREBETWEEN OF A SUCCEEDING CARTON, AND

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