US3421288A

US3421288A - Carton-closing machine

Info

Publication number: US3421288A
Application number: US425573A
Authority: US
Inventors: Elbert L Bivans; August Kund
Original assignee: BIVANS CORP
Current assignee: BIVANS CORP
Priority date: 1965-01-14
Filing date: 1965-01-14
Publication date: 1969-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 1986-01-14

Description

Jan- 14, 1969 E. 1 BlvANs ETAL CARTON-CLOSING MACHINE Sheet of 6 Filed Jan. 14, 1965 l Il... lllrVlVIll @Y www o k m mw\ wmmw. WMN @N m m lli I l l l Jan. 14, v1969 E. 1 BlvANs ETAL 3,421,288.

CARTON-CLOSING MACHINE Filed Jan. 14, 1965 Sheet 2 of 6 Sheet Filed Jan. 14, 1965 y Armi/VIV @NVT Jam 14, 19.69 E. l.. BlvANs'ETAL CARTON'CLOSING MACHINE Sheet 4 of 6 4 Filed Jan. 14, 1965 Jan- 14, 1969 E. L.. BlvANs ETAL.

CARTONCLOSING MACHINE Filed Jan. 14, 1965 if@ J5'.

Jan- 14, 1969 y E. L. BlvANs ETAL.` 3,421,288

CARTON-CLOSING MACHINE Filed Jan. 14, 1965 Sheet 6 of 6 vfixe. J5

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En?. il.

United States Patent O 9 Claims ABSTRACT GF THE DISCLUSURE This invention provides for closing the flaps of a shallow carton or tray, the cover of the carton having a lock tab. The lled cartons are fed from a supply conveyor to the main conveyor where the cartons are positioned in spaced relation against successive bars, a friction drag being provided to retard the carton until its bar catches up to engage it and propel it with the conveyor. The cycle of movement of the cartons with the conveyor is in timed relation with the operation of the flap closures. Each carton is conveyed with the hinge axis of its cover extending lengthwise of its direction of travel on the conveyor. To prevent the cover from skewing, an overhead 4endless member with bars is provided in position to engage the trailing edge of the cover and offset the skew. The overhead endless member accomplishes purposes other than offsetting the skew. These additional functions include the following: (a) the endless member is inclined downwardly in a leading direction to assist in closing the cover; (b) the overhead endless member drives a sprocket to rotate a former which folds the lock tab into vertical position ready for entry into the slot in the front tab; (c) the overhead endless member also drives the sprocket which rotates a pressure device either above the lock tab for a lock-type carton or above the front corners of the cartons in the case of a standard tuck. Suitable adjustments are provided for cartons of diiferent sizes.

The invention relates to a machine for closing the aps of a carton, or box. The carton is opened and lled by means which forms no part of the present invention. The invention deals particularly with a shallow carton or tray filled with heavy material such as nails or hardware, the cover of the carton having a lock tab. The carton may have other types of contents and a standard tuck may be employed wherein the tab or flap on the cover may be as long as the carton.

In general, the object of the invention is to close the aps and cover of a carton while in motion on a conveyer.

The invention provides a main conveyer having spaced bars which bear on the bottom portion of the lagging wall of the cartons to support them, to provide a reference position for the cartons, and to move them with the conveyer. The filled open cartons, with their four flaps (two end flaps, cover with lock tab and front liap with slot) are supplied to a supply conveyer.

An object of the present invention is to feed the filled open cartons one at a time to the main conveyer and to position the cartons successively in front of and against successive bars, to synchronize the travel of the cartons with the repetitive cycle of operation of the flap closers which are driven by the same power drive as the main conveyer and hence operate in synchronism with it. The cycle of movement of the cartons with the conveyer thus is in timed relation with the cycle of operation of the flap closers. This is accomplished by feeding the loaded cartons from the feed conveyer to the main conveyer ahead of their respective bars, in combination with a friction 3,421,288 Patented Jan. 14, 1969 "ice drag which retards the carton until its bar catches up to engage it and propel it with the conveyer, overcoming the drag.

It has been found that as a result of propelling the cartons through the flap and cover closing devices, the cover skews in a lagging direction. The cover is thus misaligned with the top of the carton which interfers with making a standard tuck or with the insertion of the lock tab in its slot in the front flap. An object of the present invention is to rectify this skew. This is accomplished by providing an overhead endless member with bars having a spacing the same as the carton bars on the main conveyer, the overhead bars moving in the same vertical plane as the corresponding carton bar in position to engage the trailing edge of the cover and offset the skew.

A further object is to close the cover in stages whereof the nal stage involves the application of pressure, either above the lock tab for that type of carton, or at spaced points above the front corners of the carton in the case of a standard tuck, means being provided for adjusting the spacing of the pressure devices to suit cartons of different lengths. The invention provid-es other adjustments to suit other dimensions of different sizes.

A further object of the invention is to simplify and improve the operation of the devices for folding, aligning and closing the lock tab of the cover. This is accomplished by employing the overhead endless member referred to above for accomplishing several purposes other than propelling bars to offset skew of the cover. These additional functions include the following: (a) the overhead endless member is inclined downwardly in a leading direction to provide an intermediate stage for closing the cover, (b) the overhead endless member drives a sprocket to rotate a former which folds the lock tab into a vertical position, ready for entry into its slot in the front tab, (c) the overhead endless member also drives a sprocket which rotates a pressure device as above described, either above the lock tab for a lock-type carton, or above the front corners of the carton in the case of a standard tuck.

According to a further feature of the invention, a rail which initiates the folding of the cover to closed position, as well as the overhead endless member which deals with the intermediate and final closing stages, are all mounted on a table which is vertically adjustable to accommodate cartons of different depths.

For further details of the invention, reference may be made to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a top plan view of the carton closing machine, the carton being in the form of a tray.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the machine of FIG. l.

FIGS. 3 to 6 are perspective views showing cartons in various stages of closing. f

FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view on line 7-7 of FIG. 1 and showing the carton barrier or gate, which controls the carton supply from a supply conveyer to the main conveyer.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on line 8--8 of FIG. 2 and showing further details of the carton barrier or gate.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary portion of the trip mechanism on line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. l0 is similar to FIG. 9 but showing the carton in released position.

FIG. 1l is an enlarged fragmentary plan view on line 11-11 of FIG. 2 and showing the carton retarder.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 1l but showing a lug on the main conveyor in position to urge the carton past the retarder.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged vertical section on line 13-13 of FIG. 2 and showing the drive for the closing chain.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged vertical section on line 14-14 of FIG. 2 and showing the mechanism for raising or lowering the platform which supports the closing mechanism.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged vertical section on line 11S-15 of FIG. 2 and showing the tucker disc for the cover iiap.

FIG. 16 is a front elevation on line 16-16 of FIG. 15, showing the tucker disc for the cover flap.

FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 15 but showing the compieted operation of the tucker disc with the cover flap in position for entry into the carton.

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 but showing the ap partially inserted by the closing chain.

FIG. 19 is a front elevational view on line 19-19 of FIG. 1 and showing the closing blade for a lock tab.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are enlarged fragmentary `views similar to FIG. 19 Ibut showing the action of the closing blade to fully insert and lock the lock tab of the cover ap.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are progressive position views similar to FIG. 19 showing a split cam closure for a standard tuck box wherein the tab, not shown, is as long as the box.

Referring in detail to the drawings, one form of carton is shown at in FIGS. 3 to 6, this carton being a shallow tray having a lock tab. The carton 5t) has four flaps, namely cover 53 having cover Hap 54, leading end flap 51 and lagging end flap 51 and front ap 52 having a slot 55 for the lock ap 54. The carton 5t? is fed to the machine in a position reversed with respect to the position shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the cover 53 appearing at the rear of the machine and as above stated, the flap 51 being a leading flap. Also, the carton is supplied to the machine with all of the four flaps above described extending vertically upwards, the tray `being filled and open. The problem is to close all of these flaps.

In the case of a standard tuck, the ap 52 would not be used and instead of the lock ap or tab 54, this iiap would extend the full length of the box as usual.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the machine frame 1 supports a feed conveyer 16 which receives the filled cartons 50 at the loading station indicated at 2. The cartons are fed one at a time to the main conveyer 14 and after the four flaps have been closed, the carton is discharged to the take-olf conveyer indicated at 5. The main conveyer 14 has longitudinally-spaced transverse lugs or bars indicated at 88 and each carton is contacted with such bar on the leading side thereof and such lugs or bars serve to position each carton with respect to the conveyer. As the common power drive is employed, the box is thereby properly positioned in timed relation to the Hap-closing mechanism.

FIGS. 7 to 10 illustrate the gate or carton-release mechanism indicated at for admitting the lled cartons one at a time from the feed conveyer 16 to the main conveyer 14. The cartons are fed to the main conveyer in advance of its particular lug, namely in the space between adjoining lugs and by means of the drag device indicated at 84 in FIGS. 11 and 12, each carton is retarded until its particular bar or lug 8S contacts it, to overcome the drag 84 and propel the cartons with the conveyer.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the retarder 84 comprises a pivoted arm 85 having a roller 86 which is urged in the path of the carton by spring 87. Roller 86 protr-udes through an opening 83 in a fence 89.

Referring to FIG. 7, the carton release or gate device indicated at 60 includes a transverse trip rod 61 which at times is in position to be contacted by the oncoming Ibox at the front end of the feed conveyer 16. The trip rod 61 is mounted on trip lever 62 which is pivoted at 68 on the right-hand end of the lever 58 which is pivoted at 57. Lever 56 is also pivoted at 57 and it has a cam roller for the cam 64, spring 67 urging the cam roller 65 into contact with the cam. Cam 64 is driven by a shaft 66 which is the idler of the drive for the main conveyer 14 and the cam is adjustable in position by means of the slot and bolt devices indicated at 69. Spring 59 on lever 58 urges the bar 61 upwardly into the path of the oncoming box. Spring 59 is overcome at certain times by spring 67 which acts on lever 56. When the oncoming box strikes the bar 61, it swings trip lever 62 on pivot 68 to lock the pawl device 63 to notch 63 on trip lever 62 whereby the spring 67 in pulling the cam follower 65 and the lever 56 downwardly also pulls the front end of lever 58 and the bar 61 downwardly to allow the leading carton on the feed conveyer 61 to pass to the main conveyer 14. Cam 64 has opposed

lobes

23 and 24, and opposed intervening dwells 25, 26. After the carton 50 has passed somewhat more than half way in its travel over the stop bar 61, the stop bar 61 is caused to rise again by the second lobe 24 on the cam 64, placing the stop bar 61 in position in front of the second carton. Then the cycle starts all over again, as the cam 64 itself is rotating in timed relationship with the Spacing of the lugs 88 on the main conveyer 14 which propels the boxes along. The stop bar cyclically drops to allow a carton to pass and rises to be in the path of the next carton.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, these views, as indicated in FIG. 8, are looking at the front of the carton release 60, the cartons indicated at 50 moving from left to right. FIGS. 9 and 10 show pawl 63 in engagement with its notch 63 due to action of carton 50 on trip rod 61, overcoming spring 47 which tends to pull pawl 63 out of its notch 63', as shown in FIG. 7. One end of spring 47 is fixed to trip lever 62 which carries pawl 63, as shown at 48, the other end of spring 47 being fixed to lever arm 58, as shown at 49 in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, the feed conveyer 16 is at a higher level than the main conveyer 14 to assist a transfer of the carton to the main conveyer.

Parallel guide rails 160 and 101 are arranged at opposite sides of feed conveyer 16. These rails guide the boxes and are adjustable apart to accommodate boxes of different widths. After leaving the gate 60, the `boxes 50 are guided in the channel between fence 89, FIGS. 11 and 12, and the adjacent end 27 of an elongated table 41 which extends almost the full length of the main conveyer 14. In the same plane as table 41 and at the rear of it is guide rail 42. Both the table 41 and rail 42 are adjustable as a unit vertically, being supported by similar posts like post 38 in FIG. 14. The posts 38 arise from an elevator frame 43, FIG. 14, which is raised or lowered by operating the crank 30 in FIG. 1.

The frame 1 has channels like 40, FIG. 14, supporting bearings like 39 for nuts like 35 on the sprockets like 34B, the nuts operating four threaded rods 36A, B, C, D, which are bolted to and depend from the elevator frame 43.

Crank 30, FIG. 1, operates sprocket 31, chain 32 and sprocket 33 connected to sprocket 34A to operate the four sprockets 34A, B, C, D, of which the sprocket 34B is shown in FIG. 14. The sprockets 34A, B, C, D are connected by chain 37.

To accommodate boxes of different widths, table 41 is adjustable in a horizontal plane toward or away from the row of boxes on the conveyer. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 14, each post like 38 has a bolt like 28 for adjustment in position in a slot like 44 in table 41. FIG. 13 shows the widest box. For a narrower box, table 41 would be adjusted closer to rail 42, and both of them moved up or down, as required.

As shown in FIG. 13, the conveyer 14 rides on

rails

102 and 103, the latter having an upright guide portion 104. The conveyor shown will also handle narrower boxes. Table 41 at its inner edge 105 and rail 42 at its inner edge 106 serve as guide rails for the opposite sides of the top of the box.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, after leaving the gate 60, the box is acted on by the end flap tucker 3, where the leading end flap 51 is folded from vertical position to horizontal position by the stationary closing blade or shoe 95. Shoe is suitably mounted on table 41 and is adjustable lengthwise and crosswise of the machine, having lateral adjustment slot 96 and longitudinal adjustment slot 99.

Continued travel of the Ibox results in folding the lagging end flap 51 from vertical to horizontal position by means of the oscillating blade 7 which has a cycle of operation corresponding to the spacing of lugs 88, to fold the lagging end flap 51 of successive boxes 50. Blade 7 is on shaft 94 having a bearing support 8 on table 41.

Power for driving conveyer 14 and the various movable at folding devices in vtimed relation with each other is derived from drive motor 10, see FIG. 2. Motor 10 has a belt 11 to drive gear box 12 having chain 13 to drive conveyer 14. Gear box 12 also has a chain 17 to drive gear box 18 from which arises shaft 107 having

universal joints

19 and 21, see FIG. 13, and spline 20 to permit adjustment of table 41, both laterally and vertically. Shaft 107 drives gear box 22 which is mounted on table 41. Gear box 22 has a shaft 90 having an eccentric 92 to operate pitman 91 which drives bell crank 93 on shaft 94 for the blade 7 which closes the lagging end flap 51', as described above. Main conveyer 14 drives shaft 66, see FIGS. 2 and 7, which drives chain 15 to drive feed conveyer 16, a suitable arrangement of pulleys being employed, as shown in FIG. 2.

The boxes like 50 are supplied to conveyer 16 and are fed by conveyer 16 to the main conveyer 14 with the covers like 53 upright, at the rear of machine 1 and with the cover fold line 108 extending lengthwise of the path of travel on main conveyer 14. The fold line 109 for the cover ap 54 and the fold line 110 of the front ap 52 are, of course, parallel to the fold line 108 of the cover 53.

After folding the end flaps 51 and 51', the box encounters -the rail 45 which is mounted on guide rail 42. The leading end of rail 45 is laterally adjustable as shown at 111 in FIG. 1. Rail 45 in a leading direction, as seen in plan view in FIG. 1, is inclined from a position at the rear of the box to a position overlying the box and as seen in FIG. 2 in elevation, rail 45 is inclined from an elevated position to a lower position where the box is admitted below the upper chain 75. The rail 45 is a primary means for initiating the fold of cover 53 from an elevated position to a position folded on fold 108 towards the front of the machine, as will be apparent on comparing the cover positions shown at 112 and 113 in FIG. 2.

The upper chain 75 is an endless member, overlying the main conveyer 14 and driven by sprocket 97 on shaft 90, see FIG. 13. This chain has an idler sprocket 98 and it drives sprockets 74 and 82. The lower reach 114 of chain 75 is inclined downwardly over main conveyer 14 in a forward direction, as shown in FIG. 2, its elevated portion below sprocket 97 engaging the partially-closed cover 53, the closing movement of the cover continuing as the box proceeds with the chain 75 continuing to apply pressure to it.

FIG. 13 shows the partially-closed cover 53 underlying rail 45 and chain 75.

As shown in FIGS. to 18, also FIGS. 1 and 2, chain 75 drives 74, adjacent to the entrance of the box under the chain. Sprocket 74 drives shaft 71, having disc 72. The -major portion 115 of disc 72 extends in a vertical plane, adjacent to the plane of the front wall 116 of the box, at the front of the machine, and spaced to the front of the vertical plane 117 of panel plow 77 by an amount substantially the thickness of the cover ap 54. The remainder of disc 72 has a flare or forwardly-bent segment 73 in position to engage cover flap 54 and fold it over plow 77 as the box travels and as the disc 72 rotates, chain 75 traveling at the same speed as main conveyer 14.

Before the box has arrived at the position shown in FIG. 16, the front flap 52, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 15, has already been folded to the horizontal position shown, by the action of shoe 46, FIG, 13, which merges from a downwardly-inclined flare 118 at its entrance, to a downwardly-facing horizontal portion 119 6 which overlies the front edge of the box and the front flap 52 .as the box travels. With the front ilap 52 in horizontal position shown in FIGS. 15, 17 and 18, the lock slot 55 is directly under and in position to receive the folded cover flap 54, FIG. 17, showing flap 54 about to enter slot 55 and FIG. 17 showing chain 75 in lower position, and panel plow 77 of lower height, the chain 75 acting to push the cover ap 54 into the slot 55, while the cover flap 54 is guided by the upright face 120 of the tuck guide 78, see FIG. 18.

Final closing movement of the cover and its cover flap 54 is effected by the rotary closing blade 80, see FIGS. 19 and 20. Blade 80 has an arcuate length 121 the same as the length of the cover flap 54 and applies pressure to flap 54 to close it completely as the box proceeds, its speed being the same as the speed of blade 80. Blade 80 is mounted on sprocket 82 which is driven by chain 75, being mounted on shaft 81 and 'adjustable in a radial direction with the screw and slot device 122.

The timing of drive sprocket 97 with relation to sprockets 74 and 82 can be determined by use of the reference marks on these sprockets as shown FIG. 2, sprocket 97 having reference mark 123, sprocket 74 having reference mark 124 and sprocket 82 having reference mark 125.

The hinge axis or fold line 108 of the cover 53 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 15) extends lengthwise of the direction of motion of the main conveyer 14. The forwardly facing bars or lugs 126-127 (FIG. 2) on the endless member of the chain 7S extend crosswise of the main conveyor 14 and of the hinge axis 108 to maintain the lagging edge 128 (FIGS. 2, 3, 16 and 19) of the cover 53 at right angles to the hinge axis 108 while tucking the cover so that the tab 54 will enter the slot 55 in the case of a lock tuck, or so that the tab without lock notch will be tucked behind the front panel 116 in the case of a standard tuck.

Passage of the boxes through the machine causes the cover 53 to skew in a lagging direction. This is overcome, according to the present invention, by providing chain with a series of spaced lugs like 126, 127, FIG. 2, throughout the full length of the chain, the lugs like 126, 127 being spaced apart exactly the same as lugs 88, see FIG. 7, the lugs like 126, 127 each traveling above one of the lugs 88 in position to engage the lagging edge like 128 of the cover 53 to maintain cover 53 in alignment with the top of the box to facilitate entry of the cover flap 54 into its slot 55.

As shown in FIGS. l, 2, 17 and 18, the rear portion of the cover 53, located at the rear of the conveyer 14, slides under a shoe or cover retainer 79. Shoe 79 is arranged at an acute angle which gradually decreases along the box path to match the decreasing tilt position of the cover 53 due to the action of rail 45 and chain 75 in closing the cover. Shoe 79 is suitably mounted on guide rail 42 opposite end ap tucker 70 and the entrance to tuck guide 78.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are progressive position views similar to FIG. 19 showing a split cam closure 129 for a standard tuck box which does not use front flap 52. By way of comparison, referring to FIG. 19, it will be seen that the rotary blade rotates counter-clockwise with the carton progressing from left to right and depresses the tab or cover ap 54 in a manner more clearly shown in FIGS. 2l and 22. This tab or cover flap 54 is shown as a lock tab, having

lock notches

130 and 131. In order to use the standard tuck, itwhich is similar to the tab 54, without lock notches and as long as the box, the closing blade device 132, shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, is employed. This consists of a split blade adjustable arcuately on its sprocket as indicated at 133, 134, to accommodate different lengths of boxes. It functions in the same manner as the blade 80 in FIG. 19. However, as blade device 132 is split, one portion 136 of the blade can be adjusted to contact one end of the standard tuck so that further rotation of the blade device will bring the other portion 137 in contact with the other end of the tuck, as shown in FIG. 23, to apply pressure to completely close the box. The only dilerence is that the blade 80 used for the lock tab is not adjustable, Whereas the blade device 132 in FIG. 22 is adjustable, to accommodate carton aps of different lengths.

We claim: l

1. A carton closing machine for a lled carton, yopen at the top and having upwardly extending flaps and cover, a feed conveyor urging a plurality of said cartons end-to-end in a path, a main conveyor in said path and having a plurality of spaced bars, said bars being spaced apart in amount greater than the length of the carton, a gate means admitting the cartons, one at a time, from said feed conveyor to said main conveyor in the successive spaces ahead of said bars, and a drag at said main conveyor for retarding each carton until the lagging one of said bars catches up to the carton, and a drive for said conveyors, said drive including a drive shaft having a cam, said gate means including a carton-controlled stop bar raised and lowered by a cam follower for said cam, said stop bar acting to admit the cartons, one at a time, from said feed conveyor to said main conveyor, said cam rotating in timed relation with the spacing of said blocks on said main conveyor.

2. A carton closing machine for a iilled carton open at the top and having upright end aps, at the ends of said carton, and an upright cover having an end ap, a feed conveyor urgin-g a plurality of said cartons end-to-end in a path, a main conveyor in said path and having a plurality of spaced bars, said bars being spaced apart an amount greater than the length of the carton, a gate means admitting the cartons, one at a time, from said feed conveyor to said main conveyor in the successive spaces ahead of said bars, and a drag at said main conveyor for retarding each carton until the lagging one of said bars catches up to the carton, and a drive for said conveyors, an end ap'tucker for tucking one of said rst mentioned flaps, an upper inclined chain for urging said cover to closed position, a rotary device for folding the end ap of the cover to upright position, another rotary device for applying pressure above the front of the carton to force the end flap of the cover into the carton and complete the closing of said cover, said drive including means for driving said main conveyor, said end ap tucker, said chain and said rotary devices in timed relation.

3. A carton closing machine for a lled carton open at the top and having upright end flaps, at the ends of said carton, and an upright cover having an end flap, a feed conveyor urging a plurality of said cartons end-to-end in a path, a main conveyor in said path and having a plurality of spaced bars, said bars being spaced apart an amount greater than the length of the carton, a gate means admitting the cartons, one at a time, from said feed conveyor to said main conveyor in the successive spaces ahead of said bars, and a drag at said main conveyor for retarding each carton until the lagging one of said bars catches up to the carton, and a drive for said conveyors, end flap tuckers for tucking said rst mentioned aps, an upper inclined chain for urging said cover to closed position, a rotary device driven by said chain for folding the end flap of the cover to upright position, another rotary device driven by said chain for applying pressure above the front of the carton to force the end flap of the cover into the carton and complete the closing of said cover, said drive including means for driving said main conveyor and said chain in timed relation.

4. A carton closing 'machine comprising a conveyor having spacers at regular intervals for spacing cartons, means for feeding to said conveyor a succession of cartons each having an open top with a cover and its end iiap extending upwardly at the rear of the conveyor, the cover and its end flap having fold lines lengthwise of said conveyor, an upper chain for urging said cover towards the front of said conveyor to closed position, rotary means driven by said chain for folding said end flap of said cover to position ready for entry into the carton, and rotary means driven by said chain for inserting said end ap thus folded into the carton.

5. A carton closing machine comprising a main conveyor having bars at regular intervals for spacing cartons filled with contents yand having open covers wherein the covers each have a hinge axis extending lengthwise of the direction of motion of the main conveyor, a first means for initiating closing of the cover, a second means for further closing7 the cover and for preventing the cover from skewing, and a third means for completing the closure of the cover, said second means being arranged between said rst means and said third means, said second means comprising an endless member having a reach inclined downwardly in the direction of travel of said main conveyor, said endless member having a corresponding set of forwardly facing bars extending crosswise of the direction of motion of said main conveyor and of the hinge axis of the cover, each of said last-mentioned bars being in position to engage the lagging edge of the cover on a line at right angles to the hinge axis of the cover.

6. A carton closing machine according to claim 5, said endless member comprising a chain, said third means comprising a rotary member driven by said chain.

7. A carton closing machine according to claim S, said first means comprising an inclined stationary rail.

8. A carton closing machine comprising a main conveyor having bars at regular intervals for spacing cartons lled with contents, each carton having an open cover each having a hinge axis extending lengthwise of the direction of motion of the main conveyor, an endless member for closing the cover and for preventing the cover from skewing, said endless member having a reach inclined downwardly in the direction of travel of said main conveyor, said endless member having a corresponding set of forwardly facing bars extending crosswise of the direction of motion of said main conveyor and crosswise of the hinge axis of the cover, each of said last-mentioned bars being in position to engage the lagging edge of the cover on a line at right angles to the hinge axis of the cover.

9. A carton closing machine according to claim 8, the carton having a front panel and the cover having a tab, and means for tucking the tab behind the front panel while the cover is held in position by the associated one of said lastmentioned bars.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,625,778 1/1953 Wood 53-376 X 2,910,815 11/1959 Bartlett et al 53-376 X 2,971,443 2/ 1961 Striplin 53--376 X 2,993,319 7/1961 Gaubert 53 376 X 3,010,266 11/1961 Lawrence 53-376 X 3,264,798 8/ 1966 Hayes et al 53-374 2,890,553 6/ 1953 Day et al. 53-61 TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.