US3550345A - Cartoning machines and methods - Google Patents

Cartoning machines and methods Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3550345A
US3550345A US764904A US3550345DA US3550345A US 3550345 A US3550345 A US 3550345A US 764904 A US764904 A US 764904A US 3550345D A US3550345D A US 3550345DA US 3550345 A US3550345 A US 3550345A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
carton
cartons
machine
track
plate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US764904A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Stanley Milton Silver
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
KEYOLOK CO Inc
Original Assignee
KEYOLOK CO Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by KEYOLOK CO Inc filed Critical KEYOLOK CO Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3550345A publication Critical patent/US3550345A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/20—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by folding-down preformed flaps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/004—Closing boxes
    • B31B50/0044—Closing boxes the boxes having their opening facing upwardly

Definitions

  • FIGS. 3 to 5 are fragmentary perspective views showing respectively a mechanism for transversely transferring a flattened carton to the upper track, the mechanism after having moved a carton to the upper track and also a carton-opening device, and a carton fully-opened to tubular disposition by a reverse folder;
  • FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a carton flap folding and sealing apparatus
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of carton sealing flap folder bars
  • FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the filler hopper for charging cartons
  • FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of that end of the cartoning machine at which the cartons move downwardly from the upper track to the lower track;
  • FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a spring platform on to which the cartons land on their downward movement from the upper track;
  • FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the horizontal guide rails and the mechanism for transversely adjusting same and also the mechanism for vertically adjusting the top horizontal rails;
  • semi-skilled or nona cartoning machine comprising upper and lower carton guiding tracks, pusher conveying means for transporting along the upper track in one direction cartons delivered in open-ended condition, and during which conveyance the open bottom flaps of each carton are proces'sed'into a closed condition, means at one end of the tracks for permitting, or effecting, downwardmovement of the bottom-closed cartons from the upper track to the lower track, and pusher conveying means for transporting the cartons along the lower track in the opposite or return di rection and during which conveyance the open top. flaps of each carton are processed into a closedcondition.
  • a cartoning process comprising the steps of conveying an open-ended carton along a first path andclosing the bottom of the carton during such conveying, subjecting the bottom-closed carton to a downward movement, conveying the bottom-closed carton along a second path parallel to and counter to said first path and closing the top of the carton during such conveying;
  • FIG. 1 is a carton flow diagram showing the principle of the cartoning machine and cartoning process in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a carton magazine and carton stack advancing means
  • FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lower track and the lower conveyor of a compressing conveyor assembly and means for vertically adjusting same.
  • FIG. 1 of the drawings An essential feature of the machine is that the machine length is employed four times thus substantially reducing the machine length compared with existing cartoning the upper track 22 to the lower track 23, and there is a transverse carton transfer at 25 and 26 respectively from the magazine 20 to the upper track 22 and from the lower track 23 to the compressing conveyor assembly I 21.
  • Carton flow in the machine is as indicated by the arrows, and it is to be noted that carton flow in the magazine 20 and lower track 23 is in the same direction while being in the opposite direction to carton flow in the upper track 22 and the compressing conveyor assembly 21.
  • a basic aspect of the machine is that it is provided with a number of fixed daturns which permit non-skilled adjustment of the machine to suit different carton sizes.
  • a transversely-adjustable, longitudinal vertical datum 27 defined by a plate which serves to ensure that cartons irrespective of size are presented to a carton-transfer mechanism to be described later with their side seam creases S always in the same position since the adjustable datum plate 27 brings the side edges SE of the cartons into varying positions depending on the width of the panels of the cartons.
  • this side seam crease S acts in the manner of a fixed reference line.
  • a transverse datum 28 constituted by a low friction plate for guiding a flattened carton from the magazine 20 to the upper track 22.
  • the main vertical datum 29 of the machine At the upper track 22 there is provided the main vertical datum 29 of the machine and constituted by a fixed longitudinal plate.
  • the flattened cartons are opened to their open-ended tube disposition relative to this datum plate 29 and the back panels of the opened cartons are guided along the upper track 22 thereby.
  • the compressing conveyor assembly 21 there is a datum 32 for filled and sealed cartons which are aligned with the datum 32 in predetermined number before being advanced one step along the compressing conveyor assembly 21.
  • the magazine 21 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is constituted by an indexing rack 33 consisting of three parallel, longitudinally-extending chains 34 with their upper runs supported on a horizontal plate 35. Each chain 34 is supported by and engaged at each end with a gearwheel 36, only one shown, and the three gearwheels at the end of the rack 33 are carried by a common shaft 36.
  • the chains 34 are operated by an asymmetrically pivotally mounted lever 37 which when stroked by a convenient drive engages a pitched gearwheel 38 carried on the shaft 36 at the transverse transfer end of the rack 33.
  • the lever 37 is connected by a spring 39 to a drive element 40 of the machine, which element 40 is actuated once each cycle of the machine.
  • a spring-loaded pawl 41 prevents reverse rotation of the gearwheel 38.
  • a flat folded carton is always less than in thickness and it will therefore be manifest that there is always a certain amount of overdrive which is resilient due to the presence of the spring 39.
  • This overdrive is made resiliently variable by any convenient arrangement, for example by providing a number of spring connecting points on the drive element 40 as indicated at 42.
  • the chains 34 detachably mount a pair of detachable pusher plates 43 (only one shown) which, each stepwise movement of the chains 34, advances a stack of flat folded cartons towards a fixed abutment plate 44.
  • a transverse carton-transfer mechanism 25 is located between the leading carton of the stack and the plate 44.
  • the aforesaid resilient overdrive ensures that the leading carton of the stack is presented to the transfer mechanism with a consistent predetermined amount of backpressure which is necessary to ensure transverse transfer of the leading carton from the magazine 20 through an 4 escapement slot, which may incorporate a gate, to the upper track 22.
  • An operator when the stack of cartons is reduced in length such as to require replenishment, simply disposes a further stack on the chains 34 behind the trailing pusher plate, removes the leading pusher plate 43 and re-locates it on the chains 34 at the rear of the fresh stack.
  • Two pusher plates 43 are provided to ensure that there is no loss of pressure on the carton stack when the leading pressure plate 43 is being re-located behind a fresh supply of flattened cartons.
  • the longitudinal datum plate 27 provides lateral guidance for the fiow of the flat folded cartons and is position-adjustable to ensure proper presentation of differently-sized cartons as aforesaid to the transfer mechanism 25.
  • the transfer mechanism 25 for moving the leading carton at any one instant will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. It consists of a stroking arm or plate 45 slidable in top and bottom transverse guides 46 and 47, for a fixed stroke length, and is actuated by a lever, cam and spring device shown partially and generally at 48.
  • a vertical plate 49 is connected to and carried by the stroking arm 45 and mounts on its cartonadjacent surface a pad of highest traction elastomeric material, for example silicone rubber, whereby its cartoncontacting surface has a glass-like smooth surface which appears to create a vacuum between the pad and leading carton presented to the pad with the correct amount of back-pressure.
  • the leading carton of the stack passes through an escapement slot incorporating a gate which consists of two vertically-spaced abutments 50 carried by the lateral datum plate 27 which are preset to ensure that only a single carton is transversely transferred at a time by the stroking arm 45.
  • a mechanism generally indicated at 51 and of any convenient form is provided to permit fine adjustment of these gate abutments 50.
  • the gate is not considered essential and may, if desired, be omitted.
  • the plate 49 and silicone pad are. connected to the stroking arm 45 by pivotal top and bottom links generally indicated at 52 connected by a bar 53 to which, in turn, is connected universally a connecting rod 45A secured to the stroking arm 45.
  • This arrangement applies a wedging force to the plate '49 and pad.
  • These links 52, or the bar 53 are acted on by stops (not shown) at each end of the stroke of the stroking arm 45. It will be manifest that any other convenient means may be employed to give the necessary wedging action.
  • a carton-opening mechanism is provided at the longitudinal datum 29. It consists of a vertically-reciprocating bayonet 55 which performs all its work on the cartons at this datum line 29 and which is, for example,'cam actuated.
  • the bayonet 55 has a width equal to the smallest depth carton which it is required to open and is mounted so that one of its side edges is substantially in line with the carton side seam crease S.
  • the bayonet 55 has secured thereto at its top a plate 56 longer but narrower than the bayonet S and flared away from the bayonet 55 at the bottom as shown.
  • the bayonet '55 and plate 56 reciprocate along a vertical guide track, part of which is indicated at 57, and which terminates a short distance above the top of the carton flaps to ensure accurate guidance of the bayonet 55 into the carton.
  • the plate 56 retains the carton in position and restrains the carton from twisting once the bayonet 55 has entered same.
  • Thecarton-opening mechanism also includes a folder plate 58 hinged as indicated at 59 in alignment with the datum 29.
  • the folder plate 58 is alsocamactuated'(not shown) and it engages the face of the carton and pivots the face panel approximately 150, i.e. it reverse folds it when the bayonet '55 is in its down position.
  • the plate '56 resists twisting of the carton suit different carton sizes and for this purpose they are carried by rods 74 secured to brackets 75 mounting pinions 76 meshing with chain elements or racks 77 on the vertical members 65.
  • the pinions 76 are interconnected by a rod 78 to one end of which is secured a handwheel (not shown).
  • Rotation of the handwheel which is preferably calibrated, rotates the rod 78 and the pinions 76 which rotate up or down the racks 77 depending on the direction of rotation of the handwheel to raise or lower the rails 61 and 66 in synchronism.
  • the bottom rails 64 and 67 are also height adjustable, and the outboard rail 64 is connected by bars 79 secured to sleeves 80 slidable along vertical members 65.
  • the rails 64 and 67 mounted between them a platform 81, which may be a belt, and this assembly of platform 81 and rails 64 and 67 is carried on a sub-chassis 82 having vertical screwed rods 83 screw-engaging'in sleeves or brackets 84 secured to a main chassis or framework 85 of the machine.
  • These rods 83 have fast thereon pinions 86 drivingly connected by chains 87 to a calibrated handwheel 88.
  • Rotation of the handwheel 88 rotates the pinions 86 and screwed rods 83 thus vertically adjusting the sub-chassis 82 relative to the main chassis 85.
  • top and bottom horizontal rails 61, 66 and 64, 67 are vertical adjustable relative to the horizontal datumrails and 31.
  • the cartons are conveyed along the upper and lower tracks 22 and 23 by pusher flights 89 secured to a driven endless chain 90 disposed in a vertical plane. It is preferred to use flights rather than pockets since the latter would require size adjustment to conform with carton size whereas the former requires no adjustment.
  • Theupper and lower tracks 22 and .23 are defined by four vertically-spaced pairs, .of horizontal rails with .the
  • each pair position stationary in a transverse direction and the outboard rail of each pair .movable transversely of the machine to vary the spacing between the rails-of each pairin accordance with carton size.
  • top rails 61, 66 are double rails witli springs 73 therebetween since these rails are subject not only to transverse but also vertical adjustment.
  • Thetop double'rails 61, 66 are vertically adjustable to plate 29, the crease line of the bottom closure flap which travels along datum rail 30 and the crease line of the top closure flap which travels along datum rail 31.
  • each carton is moved longitudinally by a pusher flight 89 which'engages' the lower portion of the carton, and with the top closure flaps each engaged between the rails of the corresponding double rails 66 and 61 and the crease lines of the bottom closure flaps travelling along rails 30 and 62-.
  • Preliminary guide rails are preferably provided to guide the top flaps between the sections of the double rails.
  • the dust flaps of a carton are shorter in length than the closure flaps, i.e. the top closure flaps extend above the top dust flaps and the bottom closure flaps extend below the bottom dust flaps. This length differential is necessary to facilitate insertionof the bayonet into the flat carton for opening purposes, and to permit the top closure flaps to be engaged by their corresponding double rails.
  • the carton As it travels along the upper track 22 the carton is bottom closed, sealed and charged.
  • the tools employed are largely conventional save that they are split in two and the parts of each tool, if only transverse adjustment is required, are connected to the inboard and outboard rails. If also vertical adjustment had to be effectedpsprings would be provided between the tool parts.
  • folding bars are automatically adjusted to suit different carton sizes when the outboard rails are transversely adjusted relative to the datum rails 30 and 31.
  • the first bar contacted by the closure flaps is bar 95 which is pivoted intermediate its ends at 97 to datum rail 30, with a spring 98 connecting the tail of the bar 95 and the rail 30 to urge the bar 95 across the track 22 towards rail 62.
  • the bar 95 is curved at its pivot remote end 99 to facilitate adjusting movement of the bar 95 when rail 62 is moved in or out, and movement of the glued closure flap therebetween.
  • the second folding bar 96 is also pivoted to datum rail 30 at 100 and carries at its other end a pin 101 extending into an elongated slot 102 in rail 62.
  • the height of the folding bars 95 and 96 in relation to the carton is determined by the datum rail 30 so that folding occurs at the bottom flaps crease line irrespective of flap length.
  • the glue applicator 94 has a circumferential dimension equal to the distance between three pusher flights, i.e. the diameter of the glue applicator 94 is equal to the distance between any two adjacent pusher flights.
  • the linear speed of the applicator 94 is equal to that of a moving carton which permits simultaneous and registered pattern gluing at the north and south (top and bottom) cardinal points of the applicator 94 as can be seen in FIG. 6.
  • the glue applicator 94 is, in fact, a wheel section equal in width to the width of the widest carton flap to be processed by the machine.
  • the printing plates of the applicator 94 are preferably heavily textured silicone rubber with a surface cellular pattern.
  • the printing plates receive their glue from a single glue pot 104 of conventional design.
  • the surface cells of the printing plates must hold suflicient glue for two glue stampings.
  • the arcuate printing plate lightly contacts the glue pot roller then transfers glue on to the top closure flaps of the bottom carton and then rotates and transfers glue onto the bottom flap of the top carton.
  • Back-up rollers (not shown) which are spring loaded are provided to press the closure flaps onto the printing plates.
  • the spring-loading is such that on the first stamping there is light resilient pressure and on the second stamping heavy pressure, whereby all glue is evacuated from the surface cells of the printing plates.
  • the cartons may be tongue-and-slot or otherwise closed top and bottom or the cartons may be differently closed top and bottom, for example glue sealed at the bottom and tongueand-slot closed at the top.
  • the carton charging apparatus comprises a position stationary supply bin or hopper 105 having an open top and bottom and a plurality of reciprocable filler hoppers 106, only one of which is shown for the sake of convenience.
  • Each hopper 106 is disposed below the supply hopper 105 and is secured to a slidable plate 107.
  • the filler hopper 106 is also open top and bottom and has in register with its open bottom a dispensing funnel 108 which is interchangeable so that different sized and shaped funnels can be employed for different sized cartons.
  • the filler hopper 106 opens through the plate 107 as can be seen in FIG. 6.
  • the filler hopper has an internal wall (not shown) which is position adjustable by a calibrated screw 109 to vary the volume of material to be charged into the cartons.
  • the plate 107 and filler hopper 106 are reciprocated by a crank and connecting rod 110.
  • a shutter valve 111 is provided at the open bottom of supply hopper 105 and is operated by a solenoid 112 which is, in turn, operated by a micro-switch 113 actuated by the presence of a carton C. That is, no carton, no fill.
  • the filler hopper 106 slides along a valve plate 114 at its open bottom and plate 114 has adjustable trip controls 115 to provide for early or late opening of filler hopper outlet if desired.
  • Each filler hopper 106 moves at substantially the same speed as its corresponding carton moving along the roller track 103.
  • the filler hopper 106 is reciprocated under the supply hopper 105 and if the micro-switch 113 is actuated by the presence of a carton C then the solenoid 112 is operated to open the shutter valve 111 and so allow filling of the filler hopper 106 during both the back stroke and forward stroke thereof.
  • the material is, of course, prevented from passing out of the bottom of the filler hopper 105 by the valve plate 114.
  • the filler hopper 106 is now moved forward excess product being wiped off by valve plate 114 and overlies the carton, an opening being provided in the valve plate 114, and the filler hopper 106 travelling at substantially the same speed of the carton C.
  • the carton is thus filled from the tiller hopper 106 as it moves with the carton, the funnel 108 ensuring flow of the material into the carton.
  • the weight of the material in the carton while it rides on the roller track section 103 assists in sealing the flaps together.
  • a rotary turret type filler may be employed.
  • a dust extraction system may be provided at the charging end of the machine.
  • the cartons would be filled by any convenient arrangement while it is on the lower track 23 rather than on the upper track 22.
  • the charged carton is now moved off the roller track 103 by its pusher flight 89 onto a plate 116 which engages, say, about of the bottom edge of the carton and acts like a trapdoor.
  • the plate is withdrawn to permit downward gravitational movement of the carton.
  • the plate 116 is withdrawn firstly from under the trailing end of the carton thus tending to give the carton a backward movement to compensate for the forward pushing movement of the pusher flight 89 whereby the carton drops linearly and lands substantially flat-bottomed.
  • Two sides plates 117 and 11 8 provide lateral guidance for the carton as it falls. Guides 119 are provided between the forward edge of the plates 117 and 11 8 to ensure that the carton does I not fall forwardly out between the plates 117 and 118.
  • the plate 116 is activated by the pusher flight .89 which mechanically presses against a wheel mounted at the end of a shaft connected to the plate 116. This mechanism is not shown.
  • the plate 116 may alternatively be cam-and-spring actuated.
  • the carton falls on to a spring loaded platform 120 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) between guide rails '64 and 67 and disposed at the lead-in end of the belt platform 81.
  • the platform 120 is spring-loaded upwardly and its function is to gradually and progressively decelerate filled cartons of varying weights.
  • the platform 120 consists of two vertically-spaced plates 121 and 122 connected at each end by scissor-fold members 124.
  • the top plate 121 has a depending shaft 125 extending through a sleeve 126 in the bottom plate 122.
  • An adjustment screw 127 is provided at the pivot point of one of the scissor members 124 and three springs 128, 129 and 130 are connected between the screw 127 and the pivot point of the other scissor member 124.
  • These three springs 128 to 130 represent three degrees of spring tension resistance, and the screw 127 permits tensioning as required. Only the lightest of the three springs, namely spring 128 is initially set to be taut and only by using the screw tensioner 127 does the second spring 129 and then the third spring 130 become taut.
  • the above-described platform 120 permits gradual and progressive deceleration so that the falling charged carton first engages the resistance of the weakest spring,12*8 thereby tensioning it and commencing deceleration.
  • the spring resistance of the platform 120 to the falling charged carton can be pre-set in accordance with the known weight of the carton, with the platform 120 always returning to its horizontal alignment with the belt platform 81.
  • the adjustment screw 127 is preferably calibrated for ease of pre--setting of the platform spring resistance.
  • the spring-loaded platform 120 also has the secondary function of acting as a vibrator to settle the material in the carton. I i
  • the belt platform '81 moves at the exact speed of the pusher flights 89 so as to provide a simple escapement of the cartons from the bottom track 23 on to the transverse conveyor 26 which transfers the cartons between adjustable guides variable to suit carton size on to the bottom plate conveyor 132 of the compressing conveyor assembly 21 which also consists of an upper plate conveyor 133.
  • bottom conveyor 132' is mounted on the sub-chassis 82 in horizontal alignment with the belt platform 81 so that it is vertically adjusted simultaneously with the latter.
  • the compressing conveyor assembly 21 is substantially conventional.
  • the cartons are built up in face-to'back abutment and as they are pushed across the conveyor 132 the leading carton contacts and operates a push-bar which operates 'a micro-switch which actuates an electromagnetic clutch which connects a drive to the plate conveyors 132 and 133.
  • These conveyors move the row of cartons. forward until they are clear of the push bar whereupon the clutch is disengaged and the drive discontinued.
  • the conveyors 132 and 133 provide top and bottom compression to the cartons during the entire time that the glue is drying.
  • the sequence of the machine and process is that firstly a flattened carton is advanced stepwise along the magazine and is presented at the outlet of the magazine to a transverse transfer mechanism which moves the flattened carton to the upper track.
  • the flattened carton at the inlet of the upper track is opened to open-ended tube disposition and is moved along the upper track where its bottom flaps are closed and sealed, with the carton then being sealed.
  • the bottom-sealed and charged carton is then dropped on to the lower track and is moved therealong, its top flaps being closed and sealed.
  • the charged and fully sealed carton is then moved transversely to the compressing conveyor assembly along which it is stepwise moved until the glue sets whereupon it is removed.
  • transfer of the cartons downward ly from the upper track 22 to the lower track 23 may be other than gravitational.
  • the cartons may be positively moved downwards by mechanical and/or fluid-operated and/ or electrically-operated mechanisms.
  • a cartoning machine comprising upper and lower carton guiding tracks, pusher conveying means for transporting along the upper track in one direction cartons delivered in open-ended condition, and during which conveyance the open bottom flaps of each carton are processed into a closed condition, means atone end of tha tracks for permitting, or effectini downward movement of the bottom-closed cartons from the upper track to the lower track, and pusher. conveying. means for transporting the cartons along the lower track in the opposite or return direction and during which conveyance the open top flaps of eachcarton are processed into a closed condition.
  • a machine'as claimed in claim 1 in which the tracks are defined by paired inboard and outboard horizontal guide rails disposed longitudinally along the length of the machine and in vertical spaced relationship, two of the inboard rails being position-stationary so as to define horizontal datumlines, and the outboard rails being interconnected such that they can be moved transversely of the machine in synchronism by common actuating means relative to the fixed horizontal datum lines so that different sized cartons can be accommodated in the tracks, and with tools for processing the carton flaps into closed position located between the fixed horizontal datum lines.
  • each track is defined by two vertically-spaced pairs of paired inboard and outboard rails, the lower inboard rail of the top pair of paired rails and the top inboard rail of the bottom pair of paired rails constituting the fixed reference horizontal datum lines, and the uppermost and lowermost paired rails being vertically adjustable relative to the fixed horizontal datum lines to accommodate different sized cartons.
  • a machine as claimed in claim 1 comprising at the end of the upper and lower tracks opposite to that at which downward carton transfer occurs, conveying means for transferring the cartons transversely of the machine to a conveyor assembly consisting of upper and lower conveyors adapted compressibly to engage top and bottom of the cartons and convey them in the same directions as the cartons are conveyed along the upper track to a discharge location.
  • a machine as claimed in claim 4 comprising a magazine for open-ended flattened cartons disposedin stacked relationship and disposed above the compressing conveyor assembly with the magazine in-feed substantially at the same location as the compresslng conveyor assembly outfeed, and means for moving the leadmg carton at any one instant transversely of the machine to the upper track.
  • a machine as claimed in claim 5, comprising means for advancing the stacked cartons in the same direction of movement as the cartons are conveyed along the lower track to present the leading carton of the stack to an escapement slot through which it is moved to the upper track.
  • the magazine includes a transversely-adjustable vertical wall adjustable with the horizontal outboard guide rails to ensure that flattened cartons irrespective of size are presented accurately to the means for moving the cartons through the slot, which means comprises a stroking arm of fixed stroke length mounting a pad of high traction resilient material which grips each flattened carton at a side seam crease position and moves with the carton to the vertical reference datum of the machine.
  • a machine as claimed in claim 5, comprising means at the upper track for opening the flattened cartons relative to a fixed reference vertical datum to open-ended tubular disposition for conveyance along the upper track.
  • the means for opening the flattened cartons comprises a vertically reciprocable bayonet in alignment with the fixed reference vertical datum, a plate element secured to the bayonet to define a passage into which a wall of a flattened carton extends on downward movement of the bayonet and plate element, and a reverse folding device pivoted at the vertical datum to engage and pivot the face panel of the carton engaged by the bayonet through approximately 150 so as to cause the flattened carton to take up an open-ended tube disposition.
  • a machine as claimed in claim 2 comprising, between the vertically-spaced horizontal datum lines, forward tucking means and ramp means for urging and maintaining the bottom or top dust flaps of a carton to inward horizontal disposition, guide means for splaying the bottom or top closure flaps of a carton outwardly to horizontal disposition, a glue applicator means common to upper and lower tracks for applying glue to outwardlysplayed closure flaps of top and bottom cartons, folding means for urging the glued closure flaps, bottom or top, of a carton into adhering relationship with the corresponding dust flaps and each other, and means for bringing the flaps into pressure contact.
  • the glue applicator means is a rotary adhesive applicator having an arcuate surface which travels at the identical linear speed of the carton conveying means in a circular path and the circumference of which is equal to the distance between three carton pusher conveying elements, whereby adhesive can be applied simultaneously to the flaps of two cartons, one in the top track and one in the bottom track.
  • folding means comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced folder bars diagonally-located and pivotally-mounted on each track with one folder bar resiliently loaded against a plate such that a transverse adjustment of the track automatically correctly position the folder bars for differentlysized cartons.
  • a machine as claimed in claim 1 comprising reciprocatory filler hopper means disposed above the upper track and movable with each carton during the period immediately after bottom sealing until immediately prior to downward transfer of the carton to the lower track, discharge of product from the filler hopper means into the carton occurring during this period as the filler hopper moves with the carton.
  • a machine as claimed in claim 16 in Which there is a plurality of reciprocatory filler hoppers movable with and counter to the carton at a speed substantially the same as the speed of the carton line.
  • a machine as claimed in claim 1 comprising a trapdoor at that end of the upper track remote from the magazine feed-in and openable to allow downward movement of the trailing end of the carton first to compensate for the forward pushing movement of its pusher conveying element so that the cartons land substantially flat bottomed on a platform at the inlet end of the bottom track.
  • a cartoning process comprising the steps of conveying an open-ended carton along a first path and closing the bottom of the carton during such conveying, subjecting the bottom-closed carton to a downward movement, conveying the bottom-closed carton along a second path aligned vertically below, parallel to and counter to said first path and closing the top of the carton during such conveying.
  • a cartoning process comprising the steps of conveying an open-ended carton along a first path and closing the bottom of the carton during such conveying, subjecting the bottom-closed carton to a downward movement, conveying the bottom-closed carton along a second path parallel to and counter to said first path and closing the top of the carton during such conveying, conveying flattened cartons along a third path parallel to and in the same direction of said second path, transversely conveying one flattened carton at a time from said third path to said first path, transversely conveying erected and closed cartons from said second path to a fourth path, and conveying and simultaneously compressing the cartons along said fourth path which is parallel to and in the same direction as said first path.
  • a process as claimed in claim 20, comprising the step of charging the carton after bottom closing and as it is conveyed along the first path.
  • a cartoning process comprising the steps of conveying an open-ended carton along a first path and closing the bottom of the carton during such conveying, subjecting the bottom-closed carton to a downward movement, conveying the bottom-closed carton along a second path parallel to and counter to said first path and closing the top of the carton during such conveying, locating a fiattened carton at a fixed vertical datum at the first path and reverse folding the carton so that it maintains an openended tube disposition.
  • a process as claimed in claim 20 comprising the step of simultaneously applying adhesive to the bottom References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,762,274 9/1956 Kerr 53-374X TRAVIS S. McGEHEE, Primary Examiner E. F. DESMOND, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 53186, 383

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Closing Of Containers (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
US764904A 1967-10-09 1968-10-03 Cartoning machines and methods Expired - Lifetime US3550345A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB4607467 1967-10-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3550345A true US3550345A (en) 1970-12-29

Family

ID=10439746

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US764904A Expired - Lifetime US3550345A (en) 1967-10-09 1968-10-03 Cartoning machines and methods

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3550345A (es)
BE (1) BE721957A (es)
CH (1) CH491784A (es)
DE (1) DE1802077A1 (es)
ES (1) ES358879A1 (es)
FR (1) FR1589224A (es)
NL (1) NL6814373A (es)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3628952A1 (de) * 1986-08-28 1988-03-03 Icoma Packtechnik Gmbh Form- und fuelleinrichtung fuer verpackungen aus karton
US4821492A (en) * 1987-04-20 1989-04-18 Ridgway Packaging Corp. Method of making end fill microwavable and/or ovenable container
CN110877757A (zh) * 2019-08-09 2020-03-13 佛山市汉宁焊接智能技术有限公司 一种自动包装装置

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113619866B (zh) * 2021-09-03 2022-09-16 浙江浩通机械有限公司 大盒装盒机

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3628952A1 (de) * 1986-08-28 1988-03-03 Icoma Packtechnik Gmbh Form- und fuelleinrichtung fuer verpackungen aus karton
US4821492A (en) * 1987-04-20 1989-04-18 Ridgway Packaging Corp. Method of making end fill microwavable and/or ovenable container
CN110877757A (zh) * 2019-08-09 2020-03-13 佛山市汉宁焊接智能技术有限公司 一种自动包装装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL6814373A (es) 1969-04-11
FR1589224A (es) 1970-03-23
CH491784A (de) 1970-06-15
ES358879A1 (es) 1970-06-16
BE721957A (es) 1969-04-08
DE1802077A1 (de) 1969-09-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2649674A (en) Packaging machine
US3420037A (en) Boxing machine
NO155336B (no) Overfoeringsanordning.
US4463541A (en) Apparatus and method for automatically packing articles in catons
US2136901A (en) Carton sealing machine
US2853842A (en) Apparatus for filling and closing bags
US3613526A (en) Carton feeding and erecting apparatus
US1979207A (en) Carton filling machine
US3665674A (en) Automatic cartoning machine for glue end carton
US3350841A (en) Carton folding and filling machine
US3881298A (en) Cartoning apparatus
US2116607A (en) Packaging machine
US4545183A (en) Packaging machine
US3550345A (en) Cartoning machines and methods
CA1141646A (en) Packaging machine
US3143937A (en) Machine for erecting cartons
US3269089A (en) Machine for banding envelopes
US3097463A (en) Packaging machine
US3762129A (en) Packaging apparatus
US3298287A (en) Cartoning machine
US2826881A (en) Packaging machine
US4024693A (en) Carton forming apparatus
US1791171A (en) Wrapping machine
US2765603A (en) Carton filler
US4131058A (en) End tab folding mechanism for cartons