US3492781A - Wrapping machine - Google Patents

Description

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United States Patent O 3,492,781 WRAPPING MACHINE Pat Everett Ray, Jacksonville, Fla., assignor to Trinity Bag & Paper Co., Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed July 25, 1967, Ser. No. 655,787 Int. Cl. B65!) 7/04, 25/14, 51/02 U.S. Cl. 53-64 23 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine for wrapping articles disposed in a tubular wrapper including means for folding the top flap, bottom ap and two side flaps at each end of the bundle.

This invention relates to wrapping machines and more particularly to the formation of a bundle comprising articles disposed in a tubular wrapper having at each end a top flap, a bottom flap and a pair of opposed side ilaps. The machine according to my invention is particularly useful for wrapping commercial articles or packages such as paper bags, `for example.

The construction of effective machines of the class described presents a number of problems since the machine must operate continuously and at a high rate of speed. Further, such a machine must be accurate and produce a neat appearing package.

Accordingly, I have conceived by my invention an effective solution to the problems presented and have actually constructed a successfully operating and cornmercially desirable wrapping machine based upon that concept.

'Ihe present invention contemplates the provision of a machine comprising means for receiving a bundle from a supply source and aligning it with respect to the various elements of the machine. The machine, in one form thereof, includes means for conveying the bundle to a paste-applying position wherein paste is sprayed from nozzles onto at least the top flap at each end of the bundle. Further, the machine includes means for folding the rst side flap and cooperating means for folding the second side flap at each end of the bundle. Thereafter the machine folds the top flap down and then the bottom ap up at each end of the bundle. According tov one form of the invention, the machine includes heating means for applying heat to dry the paste and thereby seal the wrapper. Means are provided for moving the bundle from the heat applying position to a label applying position and a label is affixed to one end of the bundle. Thereafter the bundle is ejected by means mounted on the machine, thereby completing the cycle of operation.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as the basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a wrapping machine constructed in accordance with the concept of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a bundle of articles wrapped in a tubular wrapper having at each end a top flap, a bottom flap and pair of opposed side flaps;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective View of one end of the bundle showing the application of paste thereto;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one end of the bundle after the paste has been applied to the top ap;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one end of the bundle showing the first side folded over;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View of one end of the bundle showing the iirst and second side flaps folded over;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one end of the bundle showing both side flaps and the top flap folded over;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one end of the bundle showing all of the flaps folded over;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one end of the bundle showing the application of a label on the end thereof;

FIG. 1l is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing the receiving means in its initial position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing the receiving means in its second position;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged transverse sectional view showing the means for aligning the bundle with respect to the other elements of the machines;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13, but showing the alignment mechanism in its second position;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged detail view showing the means for conveying the bundle to the paste applying position;

FIG. 16 is a View similar to FIG. l5, but showing the conveying means after the bundle has been moved to the paste applying position;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged detail of the paste applying mechanism;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged detail of the first and second side flap folding means in their open positions;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18, but showing the rst side flap folding means in its closed position;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIGS. 18 and 19, but showing both side llap folding means in their closed positions;

FIG. 2l is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 2121 of FIG. 20 showing the platform mechanism in its upper position, and also showing the heating plates in their released positions;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21, but showing the platform mechanism in its lower position and also showing the heating plates in their applied positions;

FIG. 23 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 23-23 of FIG. 22 showing the ejector assembly in its retracted position;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23, but showing the ejector assembly in its extended position;

FIG. 25 is a detail view of the label applying mechamsm;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged plan view of the label applying mechanism showing the label pusher in its retracted position;

FIG. 27 is a View similar to FIG. 26, but showing the label pusher in its extended position;

FIG. 28 is a schematic drawing showing the electrical diagram of the machine according to my invention; and

FIG. 29 is a schematic drawing showing the arrangement of the air and paste systems.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the bag baling machine receives a stack of bags, indicated generally at encompassed in a wrapping 12 of tubular shape such as that shown in FIG. 3. As the bundle indicated generally at 14 passes through the machine a series of operations are performed thereon as is shown in FIGS. 4 to 10. That is, the bundle 14 enters the machine (FIG. 4) and paste 16 is applied inside of the upper ap 18 (FIG. 5). Also, paste 17 is applied to the inside of the bottom flap 17. Then the two side flaps and 22 are folded over, FIGS. 6 and 7. Thereafter the upper and lower aps 18 and 24 are folded over as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and finally a label 26 is applied to the so wrapped -bundle 14, FIG. 10.

As seen in FIG. 28, the machine is started by closing the main switch 200 which brings electrical power into the machine from an outside source 202. A pilot light 204 is provided for ease in determining whether the machine is on or olf. As seen in FIG. 29, when starting the machine, the main hand-operated air valve 206 is opened to bring air into the machine from an outside source 208, the air being filtered at 210 and lubrication added at 212. After passing through a regulator 214, the air enters the main supply line 215, which serves all of the various airoperated mechanisms. Liquid paste enters the machine from a supply source 216, through a main control valve 218, through a regulator 220 and passes into a main supply line 222 which serves all of the various paste nozzles in the machine.

Referring to FIG. 1, the bag baling machine comprises a main frame 28 which supports the various mechanisms of the machine. The bundles enter the machine from the left-hand side thereof, as viewed in FIG. 1, from a supply source such as chute 30 and slides onto a table 32. As best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the bundle slides along table 32 until it engages limit switch 34 which actuates double solenoid valve 224 (FIGS. 28 and 29) and thereby actuates a pneumatic cylinder assembly 36 mounted on the main frame 28, and through the mechanism of piston rod 38 (FIGS. 11 and 12), clevis 40, pivot pin 42 and arm 44, the table pivots from its position as seen in FIG. 11 to its position as seen in FIG. 12.

The table 32, when in its lowered position, as seen in FIG. 12, holds open valve 226 (FIGS. 13, 14 and 29), which retracts piston rod 88 (FIGS. 1, 16 and 29) into rack cylinder assembly 86 to raise rack 90 to its upper remote position. Movement of the rack 90 upwardly energizes limit switch 228, FIG. 28, which energizes a 4- way pilot operated solenoid valve 230 (FIGS. 28 and 29).

For purposes of accurately performing latter operations on the bundle, the bundle rnu-st be centered in the machine. Referring to FIGS. 13, 14 and 29, the centering means comprises pneumatic actuated cylinder assembles 46 which are actuated by the solenoid 230, FIG. 29. The piston rod 48 (FIGS. 13 and 14) carrying plates 50 extend horizontally in a direction transverse to the longitudinal center line of the machine from their positions as seen in FIG. 13 until the bundle 14 is centered between the plates as seen in FIG. 14. This assures that the bags 10 are centered in the tubular wrapper 12. After reaching the limit of their inward strokes, valves 232 and 234 (FIGS. 13, 14 and 29) are actuated, serving to retract the cylinder assemblies 46 to their original positions.

When the centering cylinder assemblies reach their initial retracted positions, actuation of a microswitch 236 (FIGS. 13, 14 and 29) actuates solenoid valve 238 (FIG. 29) for a purpose which will be described hereinafter. The bundle 14 is moved forward or to the right, as seen in FIG. 1, by means of a chain conveyer. This conveyer comprises a center plate 54 and side plates 56, FIG. 14, which support the bundle 14. Motion is imparted to the bundle by means of bundle carriers 58, which are carried by a pair of chains 60. As best seen in FIG. 15, each of the chains 60 are driven by means of a pneumatic actuated cylinder assembly 62. This cylinder assembly is actuated by means of a solenoid valve 238 (FIG. 29). A piston rod 64, connected to a gear r-ack 66, engages a gear 68 to drive a shaft 70, thereby driving sprocket 72, the endless chain 60 being mounted on sprocket 72, sprocket 74 and idler sprocket 76.

In this manner the bundle 14 moves from its position shown by the solid lines to its position shown by the broken lines in FIG. 15. An air valve 240 (FIG. 29) is normally open, but is held closed by the bundle when it is in the pasting area.

When the bundle 14 reaches its position as seen in FIG. 16, it actuates air valve 242 (FIGS. 15, 16 and 29) which serves to actuate double pilot operated solenoid valve 244 to move a paste cylinder assembly 64, FIG. 17, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. Air valve 242 also serves to reverse the conveyer cylinder 62 (FIGS. l5, 16 and 29) leaving the bundle in the pasting area, but returning the conveyer means including the bundle carrier 58 to their initial positions. When the conveyer means reaches its initial position, it actuates a limit switch 243 (FIGS. 16 and 28) which energizes solenoid valve 245 (FIGS. 28 and 29) forthe purposes of lowering the rack assembly 90 from its position as seen in FIG. 15 to its position as seen in FIG. 16 by extending the rack cylinder assembly 86. That is, the rack mechanism serves to lower the first fold mechanism down into position adjacent the bundle at each end thereof. As best seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, a piston rod 88 extends from the cylinder assembly 86 and carries the rack assembly 90. Actuation of the rack cylinder assembly 86 extends the piston rod 88 and thereby lowers the rack 90 from its position as seen in FIG. 15 to its position as seen in FIG. 16. In this position the rack 90 is also partially supported by a support bar 92 and bearing 94 provided for the purpose.

As seen in FIG. 5, paste 16 is applied to the upper flap 18 and paste 17 is applied to the bottom flap 24 for purposes of securing the wrapping closure. This applies to both ends of the wrapper. As best seen in FIG. 17, the pasting mechanism comprises a pneumatic actuated paste cylinder and piston rod assembly 64 which is mounted on the main frame 28 at one end thereof as at 66 and carriers a paste rod carrier 68 at the other end thereof. The rod carrier is slideably mounted on support rods which, in turn, are mounted on the rod holder 72, the rod holder being mounted on end supports 74. The paste rod carrier 68 carries paste rod 76 which, in turn, carry paste cam assembly 78. This assembly includes top air cams 246 and 248 which control air valves 250 and 252, respectively. Top paste cams 254 and 256 control paste valves 258 and 260, respectively, so that as best seen in FIG. 29, -air valve 250 and paste valve 258 co-act to eject paste from nozzle 262, and air valves 252 and paste valve 260 co-act to eject paste from nozzle 264 at the other end of the bundle. In like manner, as seen in FIG. 17, bottom air cams 266 and 268 control air valves 270 and 272, respectively; and bottom paste cams 274 and 276 control paste valves 278 and 280, whereby as seen in FIG. 29, air valve 270 and paste valve 278 coact to control bottom nozzles 282; and air valve 272 and paste valve 280 co-act to control bottom nozzle 284.

Hence, as the nozzles pass the upper and lower flaps of the package, paste is sprayed thereon. The paste rod cam assembly 78, together with the paste nozzles, move longitudinally of the machine from their positions as shown in the solid lines in FIG. 17 to their positions as shown in the broken lines of FIG. 17. After completing the pasting step air valve 286 (FIGS. 17 and 29) is actuated which reverses the action of the cylinder 64, thereby returning the paste rod carry 68 to its original position, the nozzles also returning to their original positions, as seen in FIGS. 15 and 17. The bundle 14 is now in the condition as seen in FIG. 5.

The next step in the sequence of wrapping the bags is making the rst fold on the bundle. As seen in FIG. 1,

a first fold pneumatic cylinder assembly 96- is carried by the rack 90. Referring to FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, a piston rod 98 extends from the pneumatic cylinder assembly 96 and carries a cylinder bar 100. Folding wings 102 are pivotally mounted at the opposite ends of the cylinder bar 100 as at 104. These wings are resiliently biased in their open position by means of springs 106 which interconnect the wings and fixed bars 108. Movement of the rack 90 to its lower position as seen in FIG. 16 actuates limit switch 288. FIGS. 16 and 28, which energizes solenoid valve 290 (FIGS. 28 and 29). It will be appreciated that air valve 292 (FIG. 29) is held open by the rack assembly 90'when in its down position. Also, air valve 294 is held open lby the platform assembly 146 when in its upper position. Hence, when solenoid Valve 290 (FIG. 29) is energized, cylinder assembly 96 is actuated. The cylinder bar 100 moves from the left to the right as viewed in FIGS. 18 and 19 until the folding wings 102 engage the bundle 14 aud are rotated from their positions as seen in FIG. 18 to their position as seen in FIG. 19. It will be appreciated that the bundle 14 is in the position as shown by the broken lines as seen in FIG. 16 wherein it is guided by a bundle hook 109. At this time the bundle appears as shown in FIG 6. It will also be appreciated that the cylinder 96 and piston rod 98 are extended to such an extent that the bundle 14 has been moved from the left to the right as viewed in FIG. 19 and it engages a base or backstop 110 provided for the purpose. When the first cylinder is fully extended and the bundle is against the bakstop, it actuates an air valve 296 (FIG. 29) which actuates a second fold pneumatic cylinder assembly 112, FIGS. 1, 19, 20 and 29. As shown in FIG. l, one end of the cylinder assembly is xedly attached to the main frame as at 114, and lateral as well as vertical alignments are provided by means of a lateral adjusting screw 116 and vertical adjusting stud 118. Referring to FIG. 19, the second folding means include a piston rod extending from the cylinder assembly 112 and having a cylinder bar 122 attached to the end thereof. Folding wings 124 are pivotally connected to the ends of the cylinder -bar 122 as at 126. The wings 124 are resiliently biased in their open position by means of springs 128 which interconnect the wings and fixed bars 130. Fixed rods 132 serve to help support the cylinder bar 122. The piston rod 120 extends until the wings 124 engage wing closer 134, FIG. 20, which pivots the wings about their pivot points 126 from their positions as shown in FIG. 19 to their positions as shown in FIG. 20. This serves to fold the second flap 22 of the package 14 so that the package now has the appearance as seen in FIG. 7.

After the second fold is made and the second fold assembly is completely extended an air valve 298 (FIGS. 20 and 29) is actuated which, in turn, actuates solenoid and pilot operated -valve 300 (FIG. 29) to cause the top fold pneumatic fold cylinder assembly 134 to extend downwardly to fold-over the top flaps 18, as shown in FIG. 8. As best seen in FIG. 21, the means of folding the top aps include piston rods 136 extending from the cylinder assemblies 13,4 and having plates 138 fixedly connected to the ends thereof. As seen in FIG. 1, the cylinder assemblies are each Imounted in a cylinder mount, and rods 142 serve to retain the plate 138 in alignment during its stroke. It will be appreciated that the plates 138 move downwardly and engage the bundle to fold the top flaps downwardly on each side of the bundle. That is, the plates 138 move from their positions as shown by the solid lines to their positions as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 21. Movement of the top fold cylinder to its down position, actuates a limit switch 302 (FIG. 28) which actuates solenoid valve 304 to cause the first and second fold cylinder assemblies 98 and 112 to return to their original positions, respectively.

After the top fold cylinders 136 have reached their full extension, they actuate an air valve 306 (FIGS.` 21 and 29) which operates a solenoid and pilot operated valve 308 (FIG. 29) to cause a platform cylinder assembly 144 (FIGS. 1, 21 and 22) to retract a platform 146 by means of a retracting piston rod 148, rods 150 serving to guide the downward travel of the platform. In operation the platform 146 is adapted to move from its position as shown in FIG. 2l to its position as shown in FIG. 22, thereby moving the bundle 14 to a position of rest on a lower bottom 152.

As the bundle travels downward the bottom aps 24 engage folding bars 154, as seen in FIG. 1 (only one shown), thereby completing the fourth and last fold. The bundle now appears as seen in FIG. 9.

The lowered platform 146 actuates limit switch 310 which actuates solenoid valve 312, thereby causing the top fold cylinder assembly 134, FIG. 1, to retract. The lowered platform also actuates limit switch 314 (FIG. 28) which actuates solenoid valve 316 (FIGS. 28 and 29) to cause heater plates 156 and 157 (FIGS. 21 and 22) to apply pressure to the bundle. That is, the cylinder assemblies 158 slightly extend pushing piston rods 160 outwardly to press the heater plate 156 against the bundle 14 which, in turn, presses against the other heater plate 157 which is held in position 'by means of stops 162. The lowered platform 146 also actuates a limit switch 318 (FIG. 28) which starts a timer mechanism indicated generally at 320 (FIG. 28) which allows the heater plates to dry the adhesive 16 and 17 applied to the top ap 18; and bottom flap 24 (FIG. 8). After a preselected time has elapsed, the timer mechanism 320 breaks heating element circuit (FIG. 28) and actuates solenoid 322 (FIG. 29) thereby releasing the heaters 156 and 157 and thereby releasing the pressure on the bundle. Since air valve 324 (FIGS. 21, 22 and 29) is held open when the platform is down, solenoid valve 322 causes the pneumatic bundle ejection cylinder assembly 164 (FIGS. 23 and 24) to be actuated. This cylinder assembly carries a piston rod 166 which is iixedly attached to a rod holder 168 upon which kicker plate 170 is mounted. The rod 172 also moves with the rod holder 168. The piston rod 166 together with the kicker plates 170 is adapted to move from its position as seen in FIG. 23 to its position as seen in FIG. 24, and thereby moves the bundle 14 accordingly. The bundle is now ready to receive its label 26, FIG. 10. When the ejection cylinder 164 is extended it actuates air valve 326 (FIGS. 23, 24 and 29) which actuates solenoid valve 328 to return the ejector piston and rod 166 to its original position and to supply air to the hand--operated air valve 30 (FIG. 29). Movement of the ejector cylinder 164 also serves to actuate air valve 332 and paste valve 334 (FIGS. 23, 24 and 29) which co-act to spray paste from nozzles 336 (FIG. 29) onto the labels prior to their application to the bundle. Return of the ejection cylinder assembly 164 to its original position actuates a limit switch 338 (FIGS. 23 and 28) which actuates solenoid switch 340 (FIGS. 28 and 29) to raise the platform 146 to its initial position, as seen in FIG. 21.

As best seen in FIG. 29, the label applying mechanism includes a shuttle valve 342 and a pilot operated spring return valve 344. Referring to FIGS. 25, 26 and 27, one label is applied to each bundle. The labeling means comprises a labeling pneumatic cylinder assembly 174 which actuates a piston rod 176, which, in turn, is connected to an air cylinder assembly 178. A stack of labels is placed in the label dispenser assembly 182 adjacent a label pusher 184 which is resiliently biased in a direction away from the bundle by means of springs 186 mounted on rods 188. That is, the springs urge the labels away from the bundle, but this spring force is overcome by the force of the air cylinder assembly 178 during application of the label. The cylinder 174 moves from its position as seen in FIG. 26 to its extended position as seen in FIG. 27, thereby applying a label from the stack of labels 180 to the bundle 14 as at 190, FIG. 27, the bundle being held from lateral movement by means of back stop 192 provided for the purpose. After the label is applied, the cylinder assembly 174 returns to its original position.

The bundle is now in the condition as seen in FIG. l0. As best seen in FIG. 24, the bundle ejector assembly 164 ejects the next subsequent bundle 14 when the prior completed bundle is pushed out the right hand side of the machine as indicated by arrow 194, FIG. 24. This completes the cycle of operation of the illustrated machine according to my invention.

Although a certain particular embodiment of the invention is herein disclosed for purposes of explanation, further modifications thereof, after study of this specification, will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Reference accordingly should be had to the appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

What is claimed and desired t be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of a class described for forming a bundle of articles wrapped in a tubular wrapper having at each end a top flap, a bottom ap and pair of opposed side flaps, the combination comprising means for receiving said bundle from a supply source, means for aligning said bundle with the articles therein with respect to the components of said machine, means for folding the first side aps at each end of said bundle, means for folding the second side flaps at each end of said bundle, means for folding said top flap at each end of said bundle, means for folding said bottom flap at each end of said bundle, means for moving said bundle to a label applying position, means for applying a label on one end of said bundle, and means for ejecting said bundle from said machine, said means for receiving said bundle from a supply source comprising a chute, a table disposed adjacent said chute, means mounting said table for pivotal movement between an inclined position for receiving said bundles and a substantially horizontal position subsequent to receiving said bundles, said means mounting said table comprising a fixedly mounted fluid cylinder assembly, a piston rod extendable from said cylinder assembly, a clevis fixedly connected to said piston rod, and an arm pivotally connecting said clevis and said table.

2. A machine according to claim 1 which further comprises a solenoid valve actuatable by said bundle on said table to actuate said fluid cylinder for pivoting said table.

3. In a machine of a class described for forming a bundle of articles wrapped in a tubular wrapper having at each end a top ap, a bottom fiap and pair of opposed side aps, the combination comprising means for receiving said bundle from a supply source, means for aligning said bundle with the articles therein with respect to the components of said machine, means for folding the rst side flaps at each end of said bundle, means for folding the second side flaps at each end of said bundle, means for folding said top flap at each end of said bundle, means for folding said bottom flap at each end of said bundle, means for moving said bundle to a label applying position, means for applying a label on one end of said bundle, and means for ejecting said bundle from said machine, said means for aligning said bundle with the articles therein in alignment with respect to the components of said machine comprising means mounted outwardly of each end of said bundle for transverse movement with respect to the longitudinal centerline of said machine to simultaneously enter both open ends of said tubular Wrapper for aligning said bundle.

4. A machine according to claim 3 wherein said means mounted outwardly of each end of said bundle comprises at each end of said bundle a fluid actuated cylinder assembly, a piston rod carried by said cylinder assembly, a substantially flat plate mounted on the end of said piston rod, and said plate being of such dimensions that it enters the end of said tubular wrapper during its alignment stroke.

5. A machine according to claim 4 which further comprises a solenoid valve for causing said piston rod to extend and air valve means for causing said piston rod to retract.

6. In a machine of a class described for forming a bundle of articles wrapped in an elongated tubular wrapper having at each end a top flap, a bottom flap and a pair of opposed side flaps, the combination comprising means for receiving said bundle from a supply source, means for aligning said bundle with the articles therein in alignment with respect to the components of said machine, means for conveying said bundle to a paste applying position, means for applying paste to said to'p and bottom aps at each end of said bundle, means for folding the rst side flaps at each end of said bundle, means for folding the second side ap at each end of said bundle, means for folding said top flap at each end of said bundle, means for folding said bottom flap at each end of said bundle, means for moving said bundle to a heat applying position, means for drying said paste by the application of heat, means for moving said bundle to a label applying position, means for applying a label on one end of said bundle, and means for ejecting said bundle from said machine, said means for conveying said bundle comprising a center plate and a pair of side plates for supporting said bundle, a pair of parallelly disposed endless chains which are driven by a uid actuated cylinder assembly having a piston rod, a gear rack connected to the end of said piston rod, a gear disposed in engagement with said gear rack, said gear being xedly mounted on a shaft, a sprocket driven by said shaft, a second spaced idler sprocket, and said chain being mounted on said sprockets.

7. A machine according to claim 6 which further comprises a microswitch actuated by said means for aligning said bundle, a solenoid valve actuated by said microswitch, and said fluid actuated cylinder assembly being actuated by said solenoid valve, an air valve actuatable by said bundle upon reaching said paste applying station for reversing said fluid actuated cylinder assembly.

8. In a machine of a class described for forming a bundle of articles wrapped in an elongated tubular wrapper having at each end a top ap, a bottom flap and a pair of opposed side flaps, the combination comprising means for receiving said bundle from a supply source, means for aligning said bundle with the articles therein in alignment with respect to the components of said machine, means for conveying said bundle to a paste applying position, means for applying paste to said top and bottom flaps at each end of said bundle, means for holding the rst side flaps at each end of said bundle, means for folding the second side ap at each end of said bundle, means for folding said top ap at each end of said bundle, means for folding said bottom ap at each end of said bundle, means for moving said bundle to a heat applying position, means for drying said paste by the application of heat, means for moving said bundle to a label applying position, means for applying a label on one end of said bundle, and means for ejecting said bundle from said machine, said means for applying paste to said flaps at each end of said bundle comprising applicator means disposed adjacent said top and bottom aps at each end of said bundle, and means for moving said applicator means in a direction parallel to the longitudinal centerline of said machine while applying said paste, said applicator means comprises fluid nozzles, and wherein said means for moving said applicator means comprising a xedly mounted fluid cylinder assembly, a paste rod carrier slideably mounted on support rods and xedly connected to said cylinder assembly, cam means carried by said paste rod carrier, valve means carried by said paste rod carrier actuated by said cam means, said nozzle being carried by said paste rod carrier and being disposed adjacent said valve means whereby actuation of said valve means causes paste to be sprayed from Said fluid nozzles.

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