US3550352A - Machine for closing egg cartons - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 29, 1970 H. w. VOQRHIS 3,550,352

MACHINE FOR CLOSING EGG GARTONS Filed July 18, 1968 6 Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTOR HAROLD W. VOORHIS BY H. W. VOORHIS MACHINE FOR CLOSING EGG CARTONS Dec. 29, 1970 6 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed July l8, 1968 Illl ll lllllll l ll llll INVENTOR HAROLD W. VOORHIS BY 62min m2 TTORN Dec. 29, 1970 H. w. VOORHIS ,5 2

MACHINE FOR CLOSING EGG CARTONS Filed July 18, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 29, 1970 H. w. voom-us 3,550,352

MACHINE FOR CLOSING EGG CARTONS Filed July 18, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR l-QROLD w. VOORHIS 'ATTORIfiEY Dec. 29, 1970 H. w. \IOORHIS 3,550,352

MACHINE FOR CLOSING EGG CARTONS Filed July 18, 1968 a Sheets-Sheet 5 Q INVENTOR R0L0 W.VO0RHIS Dec. 29, 1970 H. w. VOORHIS 3,550,352

MACHINE FOR CLOSING EGG CARTONS Filed July l8, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR HAROLD W. VOORHIS BY United States Patent 3,550,352 MACHINE FOR CLUSING EGG CARTONS Harold W. Voorhis, Upper Nyack, N.Y., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed July 18, 1968, Ser. No. 745,871 Int. Cl. 1365b 7/26 US. Cl. 53376 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure is directed to a machine for closing egg cartons or the like, and includes a pair of conveyor chains which carry three successively operative folding mechanisms. The first of the folding mechanisms includes a pair of members normally disposed outboard of an end of a carton body and in alignment with a pair of covers thereof for contacting and progressively fold ing the covers about hinge lines toward a position in complete overlying relationship to the carton body. The remaining folding means progressively continue the folding operation with the last folding means being designed to effect an interlock between side walls of the covers and upwardly opening notches of the container body.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a novel machine particularly adapted for closing egg cartons or similar cartons which include a carton body to each side of which is hingedly connected a cover, the machine includes a pair of simultaneously driven conveyor chains carrying three folding mechanisms which progressively contact and fold the covers from a first position outboard of carton body side walls to a final position in completely overlying relationship to the carton body, a first of these folding mechanisms including a pair of arms normally disposed outboard of one end of the carton body and in alignment with the covers for initially contacting and folding the latter during the movement of the conveyor chain, another of the folding means including a similar pair of members likewise normally disposed for next contacting the covers, means for moving the lastmentioned pair of members toward each other to continue the progressive folding of the covers, and final folding means for contacting top panels of the covers and completing the folding thereof into complete overlying relationship to the carton body.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel machine of the type heretofore set forth wherein each of the pair of members includes means for reducing the frictional contact between the members and the covers during a folding operation.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a member pivotally mounted medially the ends thereof in part defining the final folding means, rollers carried by the ends of the members, and means for normally maintaining a leading end of the member in an upwardly directed angle for facilitating the initial contacting engagement between the leading roller and the carton.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claimed subject matter, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view taken generally along line 11 of FIG. 2, and illustrates a pair of chains of the carton closing machine with the lower runs thereof positioned above a main conveyor which feeds packaged cartons to the closing machine.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end view taken generally along line 22 of FIG. 1, and illustrates a plurality of folding mechanisms carried by the chains of the closing machine for sequentially contacting and progressively folding covers of the carton from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 to a fully closed position.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 2, and illustrates the position of each of the folding mechanisms prior to the initiation of a closing cycle of the machine.

FIG. 4 is a highly schematic view of the closing machine drive and the control circuitry thereof.

FIGS. 5 through 8 are highly schematic views of one of the folding mechanisms, and illustrate the manner in which a pair of members thereof initially contact covers of the carton and progressively fold the same toward a closed position.

FIG. 9 is a highly schematic side view of the closing mechanism, and illustrates the next succeeding folding mechanism just prior to contacting and continuing the closing of the carton covers.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are highly schematic fragmentary top and end views, respectively, of the second operative folding mechanism, and illustrates a pair of guides which progressively urge pivotally mounted rollers toward each other to contact and continue the closing of the carton covers.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views identical to FIGS. 10 and 11, and illustrate the second operative folding mechanism forcing the covers toward their closed position with edges thereof partially received in upwardly opening notches of the carton body.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken transversely through the carton of FIG. 13, and more clearly illustrates the cover edges being inserted within the carton body notches.

FIG. 15 is a highly schematic fragmentary view of the closing machine, and illustrates the final folding mechanism in initial contact with top panels of the covers.

FIG. 16 is a view identical to FIG. 15, and illustrates the final folding mechanism forcefully urging the covers into complete closed relationship to the carton body.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 1717 of FIG. 16, and more clearly illustrates the forceful introduction of the cover edges into the carton body notches by the third folding mechanism.

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the type carton which is particularly adapted to be closed by the machine of this invention, and illustrates a plurality of notched protuberances located along a center line of the carton body which receives terminal edges of the covers.

FIG. 19 is a highly schematic side view of the cover closing machine, and illustrates the manner in which the machine operates relative to a conveyor system feeding the cartons lengthwise.

A novel carton closing machine constructed in accordance with this invention is fully illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 20. The carton closing machine 20 is particularly adapted for closing egg cartons of the type best illustrated in FIG. 18, to which attention is now directed.

An egg carton 21 (FIG. 18) is defined by a carton body 22 and a pair of identical covers 23, 24.

The carton body 22 includes a pair of ends 25, 26, a pair of sides 27, 28 and a plurality of protrusions 30 disposed along a center line of the carton body, and at least some of which include notches 31 for receiving free terminal edges 32, 33 of the covers 23, 24, respectively. The carton 22 is so constructed as to form a plurality of pockets (unnumbered) into each of which is inserted an article A which may be, for example, an egg or similar article.

The covers 23, 24 are joined to the adjacent side walls of the carton body 22 along generally parallel hinge or fold lines 34, 35. During the operation of the closing machine which will be described immediately hereafter, the covers 23, 24 are folded from the fully open position shown in FIG. 18 about the respective fold lines 34, to a position in complete overlying relationship with the carton body 22 (FIG. 17), it being noted that top panels 36, 37 of the covers overlie the articles A.

The closing machine 20 is supported above a main conveyor 40 which includes a suitable frame 41 at one end of which is rotatably journalled a shaft 42. The shaft 42 carries a pair of sprockets 43, 44 about which are entrained respective conveyor chains 45, 46. Opposite ends of the conveyor chains 45, 46 are similarly entrained about sprockets (not shown) of a drive shaft which imparts left-to-right movement to the upper runs of the chains 45, 46 as indicated by the unnumbered headed arrows to the left in FIG. 1. The unillustrated opposite ends of the chains 45, 46 are positioned adjacent a filling machine or egg dropper which inserts the articles A into the pockets of each carton 21 supported upon and advanced by lugs 48 of the conveyor chains 45, 46-. Each filled carton 21 is thereby advanced from left-to-right as viewed in FIG. 2 to the solid line position illustrated therein at which point the conveyor chains 45, 46 are stopped in a manner described hereafter, and an operation of the closing machine 20 is initiated.

The closing machine 20 includes a frame 50 supported above the upper run of the conveyor chains 45, 46. As is best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the frame 50 is preferably supported by means of a plurality of bolts 51 through 54 which are conventionally connected at their lower ends to the frame 41 and at their upper ends to a plurality of brackets (unnumbered) which are in turn secured to side plates 55, 56 of the support 50. A generally L-shaped plate 57 is bolted or otherwise secured to the plate 56, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The L-shaped plate carries drive means 58 for carton cover folding means, generally designated by the reference numeral 60 positioned between the plates 55, 56.

The carton cover folding means 60 includes a plurality of simultaneously movable and sequentially operable folding means or mechanisms 61 through 63. The folding means 61 through 63 are carried by and supported between a pair of conveyor chains 64, 65 which are respectively entrained about sprockets 66, 67 and 68, 69. The sprockets 67, 69 are in turn connected to an idler shaft 71 journalled at opposite ends to the plates 55, 56. The sprockets 66, 68 are in turn fixed to a drive shaft 72 having opposite ends conventionally journalled in the plates 55, 56. Upon rotation imparted to the drive shaft 72 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 the folding means 61 through 63 carried by the chains 64, 65 are progressively moved from the position illustrated in FIG. 3 in a left-to-right direction from a position outboard of the carton body end 26 to a position beyond the end 25 during which movement the covers 23, 24 are fully closed relative to the carton body 22, as will appear more fully hereafter.

The folding means or mechanism 61 is defined by a pair of members 73, 74 which are generally of an L-shaped configuration (FIG. 3). The members 73, 74 are each connected to a bar 75 which is in turn conventionally secured at its opposite ends (unnumbered) to the chain 64, 65. Terminal end portions 76, 77 of the members 73, 74 converge downwardly toward each other (FIG. 2) and are normally disposed in alignment for contact with the respective covers 24, 23, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings. The members 76, 77 additionally carry a plurality of freely rotatable rollers 78 which reduce the frictional contact thereof between the rollers and 4 the covers during the operation of the closing machine 20.

Reference is made to FIGS. 3 through 8 of the drawings which successively illustrate the manner in which the folding means 61 initially contact and begin the folding of the covers 23, 24 toward the closed position (FIG. 17) thereof. As the chains 64, 65 are rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 3 the end portions 76, 77 of the members 73, 74 progressively drop downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 3 along an are indicated by the unnumbered plural-headed arrow in FIG. 3 toward the covers 24, 23, respectively. The end portions 76, 77 pass through respective openings 80, 81 in the frame 41 and the lowermost rollers 78 of each member 73, 74 eventually contact the covers 24, 23, as shown in FIG. 6. As the lower runs (unnumbered) of the conveyor chains 64, 65 move to the right as viewed in FIG, 8 succeeding uppermost ones of the rollers 78 progressively contact the covers and pivot the same about the hinge lines 35, 34 toward the position best illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. After the covers 23, 24 have been hinged or folded to the position illustrated in FIG. 7 further folding thereof is accomplished by the folding means 62, as will appear immediately hereafter. The folding means 61 continue to proceed left-to-right along the carton 21 (FIG. 9) and eventually pass beyond the end 25 through slots or openings (unnumbered) in the frame 41 which are in alignment with the slots 80, 81.

The folding means 62 (FIGS. 2 and 3) also includes a pair of identical members 84, 85 carried by the chains 64, 65. Each of the members 84, 85 includes a roller 86 (FIG. 3) having a frusto-conical end portion (unnumbered). Each roller 86 is carried by a shaft 87 which is journalled for free rotation within a tubular stem 88 of a pivotal arm 90. A cam follower 91 is connected to the end of the shaft 87 remote from the roller 86. The end of the arm opposite the stem 88 includes a collar 92 rotatably journalled upon a pin 93 which is in turn fixed to a bar. 94 having opposite ends (unnumbered) connected to the chain 64, 65. The arms 90 of each of the members 84, 85 are biased away from each other by a conventional torsion spring 95 (FIG. 3) connected at one end to the upper end of the pin 93 and having an opposite end bearing against each of the arms 90. The springs 95 urge each of the arms 90 into contact with a stop fixedly connected to an associated one of the pins 93. The springs 95 and stops 96 thereby normally maintain the members 84, 85 in general parallel relationship to the direction of travel of the conveyor chains and slightly outboard of the covers after the latter have been folded to the positions illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 by the folding means 61.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1, 10 and 11 of the drawings which illustrate a pair of guide means 96, 97 positioned for cooperation with the respective members 84, 85 for urging the same toward each other to continue the folding of the covers, as will be more clearly apparent immediately hereafter. The guide means 96, 97 are each formed by a pair of plates 98, 100 having converging entrance edge portions 101, 102, respectively. The plates 98, 100 and the respective edge portions 101, 102 thereof are disposed in alignment with the cam followers 91 of the respective members 84, 85 during the movement of the latter along the lower conveyor run, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13 of the drawings. The plates 98, 100 are identically secured to the respective plates 55, 56 of the support 50 by a pair of L-shaped brackets 103, 104, a longitudinal slot 105, and a plurality of nuts and bolts (unnumbered). The slots 105 permit the plates 98, 100 to be shifted parallel to the direction of travel of the chains 64, 65 to vary the position of the edges 101, 102 depending upon the particular length of the carton being closed by the closing machine.

As the lower reaches of the chains 64, 65 move the members 84, 85 in the direction of the unnumbered headed arrows in FIG. 10 the cam followers 91 initially contact the edges 101, 102 respectively which pivotally urge the rollers 86 more closely adjacent each other (FIG. 12) against the bias of the springs 95. During the movement of the rollers 86, toward each other the rollers 86 initially contact the covers 23, 24 as shown in FIG. 11 and progressively fold the same to the position best illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. It is to be particularly noted that the rollers 86 force the terminal edge portions 32, 33 into contact with each other after which both edges enter the notches 31 of selected protuberances 30 and interlockingly engage therewith.

The folding means 62 thereby continue the folding of the covers 23, 24 after the completion of the folding by the folding means 61. However, it is to be noted that the folding means 62 begins or continues the folding operation at a time prior to the passage of the folding means 61 beyond the end 25 of the carton 21. Therefore, the carton 25 is at all times under accurate control and the folding of the covers is a virtually continuous unbroken operation.

After the members 84, 85 pass beyond the guides 96, 97 the torsion springs 95 acting against the arms 90 urge the same against the associated stops 96 to return the members 84, 85 to their initial relative position, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The folding means or mechanism 63 is effective for completely closing the carton by forcing the terminal edges 32, 33 completely into the notches 31 from the position shown in FIG. 14 to the position illustrated in FIG. 17. The folding means 63 is likewise carried by the chains 64, 65 and includes a member 110 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 15 through 17) mounted for pivoting movement medially its ends by a shaft or pin 111 connected to arms (unnumbered) of a generally U-shaped bracket 112. The bracket 112 is fixedly connected medially of a bar 113 which is in turn fixedly secured at its opposite ends (unnumbered) to the chains 64, 65.

A pair of freely rotatable rollers 114, 115 are journalled between parallel legs (unnumbered) of the member 110. A bridging portion 116 between the legs of the member 110 is joined by a tension spring 117 to a projecting portion 118 of a bight portion (unnumbered) of the U- shaped bracket 112. The tension spring 117 draws the bight portion 116 against the end of an adjustable screw 120 threaded through the projecting portion 118. The function of the spring 117 is to maintain the leading end of the member 110 in a slightly upwardly tilted position (FIG. 15) during the initial movement of the folding means 63 along the lower run of the chains 64, 65. This permits the smaller leading roll 114 to readily contact and ride upon the top panels 136, 1337 prior to the larger trailing roll 115 similarly engaging and riding upon the top panels. This prevents the carton 21 from shifting to the right as viewed in FIG. 3 during the initial engagement between the roll 114 and the carton 21.

After the roll 114 has progressed along the top panels the roll 115 which is of a larger diameter contacts the top panels to force the edges 32, 33 downwardly, in the direction of the unnumbered headed arrows in FIG. 17. Furthermore, the larger diameter of the roll 115 also causes the member 1 to pivot clockwise as viewed in FIG. 16 whereupon the smaller roll 114 is likewise brought into more forceful bearing engagement against the top panels 36, 37. In this manner the rollers 114, 115 cooperate to conjunctively urge the edges 32, 33 into the final position thereof fully inserted within the slots 31, as best illustrated in FIG. 17.

As is best illustrated in FIG. 15, the final folding means 63 is operative prior to the folding means 62 completing its movement beyond the end 25 of the carton 21. Therefore, during any cycle of the closing machine 20 at least two of the three folding means 61 through 62 are in contact with and progressively engage the covers to maintain complete control over the position of the carton 21 and a smooth, uninterrupted closing motion to both covers.

The chains 64, are driven or moved by means of a motor (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) which is connected to a clutch 126 through a right-angle drive 127. The operation of the clutch 126 is controlled by a pivotally mounted locking finger 128 which is normally biased to a position preventing engagement of the clutch faces (not shown). The finger 128 is similarly controlled by a solenoid 130, which when energized draws its plunger to the right as viewed in FIG. 4 to disengage the finger 128 from the clutch 126 to rotate a shaft 131. The shaft 131 is connected by a sprocket (unnumbered) and a drive chain 132 to a sprocket 133 fixed to the shaft 72.

A gear 134 is fixed to the shaft 72 and is also in mesh with a gear 135 fixed to a shaft 136 carrying a cam 137. The cam 137 operates through a cam follower 138 and a switch 139 (FIGS. 1 and 4) to form a holding circuit which will be described more fully hereafter for cycling the machine once during each revolution of the shaft 136 and the cam 137. A cycle of the closing machine 20 is begun upon the closing of a switch 140 under the influence of a cam follower 141 riding upon a cam 142 of the shaft 42. Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 and assuming that the motor 125 is continually rotating due to a closed main switch 142 (FIG. 4) a carton is delivered to the position illustrated in FIG. 2 at which point the cam follower 141 drops off the high side of the cam 142 and closes the switch 140. A manually or automatically operated switch 144 (FIG. 4) is closed and a circuit is established to energize a relay 145 over a conductor 146, a conductor 147, the relay 145, a conductor 148, the now closed switch 140, a conductor 150, the closed switch 144, and a conductor 151 leading to the main switch 143.

The operation of the relay 145 closes a pair of switches 152, 153 the latter of which forms a holding circuit for the relay 145 after the switch 144 has been opened, and the former of which energizes the solenoid 130 to release the finger 128 to operate the clutch 126.

The solenoid 130 is energized over a path traced by the conductor 146, a conductor 154, the solenoid 130, a conductor 155, the now closed switch 152, a conductor 156, a conductor 157, the conductor 151, and the main switch 143. As the plunger (unnumbered) of the solenoid 130 is drawn to the right as viewed in FIG. 4 the clutch is released and the heretofore continuously energized motor 125 now drives the shaft 131 to impart movement to the chains 64, 65 in the manner heretofore described. At the same time and prior to the release of the switch 144 the cam shaft 136 is rotated whereupon the follower 138 closes the switch 139 to establish a holding circuit for maintaining the solenoid 130 energized. The holding circuit is through the conductor 146, the conductor 147, the relay 145, the now closed switch 153, a conductor 160, the now closed switch 139, the conductor 157, the conductor 151 and the main switch 143. With the holding circuit so established the chains 64, 65 will be driven one cycle from the position shown in FIG. 3 back to this same position during which time the cam 137 rotates one revolution. At the end of one rotation of the cam 137 the follower opens the switch 139 breaking the holding circuit heretofore described upon which the solenoid 130 is de-energized and the finger 128 again disengages the clutch 126 to prevent the still energized motor 125 from continuing another cycle of the machine 20 until such time as another carton is positioned as shown in FIG. 2 and the switch 144 is again closed in conjunction with the closing of the switch 140 as a result of another revolution of the cam 142 and the shaft 42.

After each of the cartons 21 has been completely closed it is directed to a take-away conveyor upon the subsequent cycling of the conveyor chains 45, 46 in a well known manner forming no part of this invention.

While a preferred embodiment of the carton closing machine has been fully described heretofore, modifications therein which will be apparent to those skilled in the art are considered to be encompassed by the invention in both broad and specific terms. For example, the carton closing machine 20 has been described in relation to the feeding of cartons in side-wise fashion i.e. with the hinge lines of the covers positioned normal to the direction of travel of chains 45, 46. This, of course, requires that the carton 21 be positioned stationary during the cycle of the machine 20, in the manner heretofore described. However, in further keeping with this invention it is considered within the scope thereof to dispose the carton closing machine 20 with the chains 64, 65 positioned parallel to the chains 45, 46, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 19 of the drawings. In this case the lower run of the chains 64, 65 of the carton closing machine 20 moves from left-to-right while the cartons are moved by the chains 45, 46 from right-to-left. During this relative movement the covers of each carton are closed in the manner heretofore described, the only difference being the direction of movement of the cartons relative to the closing machine.

While preferred forms and arrangement of parts have been shown in illustrating the invention, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in details and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claimed subject matter.

I claim:

1. A machine for closing cartons of the type having a pair of covers hinged to opposite sides of a carton body along generally parallel hinge lines comprising first folding means for initiating the folding of the covers toward positions in overlying relationship to the carton body, means for moving said first folding means along the sides of the carton body from one end thereof toward an opposite end whereby said first folding means initially contact the covers adjacent the one carton body end and effect the folding thereof during the progressive movement of the first folding means toward the opposite carton body end, and second means for completing the folding of the covers into positions in complete overlying relationship to the carton body.

2. The machine as defined in claim 1 including additional folding means between said first and secondmentioned folding means for continuing the folding of the covers after the first folding means has initially contacted the covers and before contact between the second folding means and the covers.

3. The machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said first folding means are a pair of members each normally disposed along opposite sides of the carton body in contacting alignment with an associated cover, and said moving means progressively move said pair of members from the one carton body end toward the opposite end thereof.

4. The machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said second folding means is normally disposed outboard of the one carton body end in alignment for contact with top panels of the covers, and means for moving said second folding means from the one carton body end toward the opposite end thereof whereby the contact of the second folding means against the top panels completes the folding of the covers into complete overlying relationship to the carton body.

5. The machine as defined in claim 1 including additional folding means between said first and second-mentioned folding means for continuing the folding of the covers after the first folding means has initially contacted the covers and before contact between the second folding means and the covers, said additional folding means are a pair of members each normally disposed along opposite sides of the carton body at an initial distance from each other, and means for moving said pair of members toward each other whereby each member contacts an adjacent cover and progressively folds the same toward the first position thereof.

6. The machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second folding means are each moved by said moving means.

7. The machine as defined in claim 1 including additional folding means between said first and secondmentioned folding means for continuing the folding of the covers after the first folding means has initially contacted the covers and before contact between the second folding means and the covers, and said first, second and additional folding means are each moved by said moving means.

8. The machine as defined in claim 1 including addi tional folding means between said first and second-mentioned folding means for continuing the folding of the covers after the first folding means has initially contacted the covers and before contact between the second folding means and the covers, and said first, additional and second folding means successively and sequentially contact the covers during the folding thereof, and at least two of said folding means are simultaneously in contact with the covers.

9. The machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said first folding means are a pair of members each normally disposed along opposite sides of the carton body and in contacting alignment with an associated cover, and said moving means are a pair of endless conveyor chains each carrying an associated one of the pair of members.

10. The machine as defined in claim 1 including additional folding means between said first and second-mentioned folding means for continuing the folding of the covers after the first folding means has initially contacted the covers and before contact between the second folding means and the covers, said first and additional folding means are each defined by a pair of members with one member of each pair of members being normally disposed along opposite sides of the carton body, and said moving means progressively move both of said pair of members from the one carton body end toward the opposite end thereof.

11. The machine as defined in claim 1 including additional folding means between said first and second-mentioned folding means for continuing the folding of the covers after the first folding means has initially contacted the covers and before contact between the second folding means and the covers, said first and additional folding means are each defined by a pair of members with one member of each pair of members being normally disposed along opposite sides of the carton body, said moving means progressively move both of said pair of members from the one carton body end toward the opposite end thereof, the pair of members of said additional folding means being each normally disposed along opposite sides of the carton body at an initial distance from each other, and means for moving said last-mentioned pair of members toward each other whereby each contacts an adjacent cover and progressively folds the same toward the first position thereof.

12. The machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said second folding means is mounted for pivoting movement about an axis generally normal to the direction of travel imparted to said first folding means by said moving means.

13. The machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said second folding means is mounted for pivoting movement about an axis generally normal to the direction of travel imparted to said first folding means by said moving means, said second folding means being a member also moved by said moving means, said member being pivotally mounted medially the ends thereof, and means for maintaining a leading end of said member in an upwardly tilted position prior to initial contact thereof with said carton body covers.

14. A machine for closing cartons of the type having a pair of covers hinged to opposite sides of a carton body along generally parallel hinge lines comprising first, sec- 0nd and third folding means for cooperatively folding the covers from initial positions adjacent sides of the carton body to positions in complete overlying relationship thereto, means for moving said folding means from one end of the carton body to an opposite end whereby said folding means each initially contact and progressively fold said covers toward their closed positions, said first folding means are a pair of members each normally disposed along opposite sides of the carton body in contacting alignment with an associated cover whereby the movement thereof by said moving means causes initial contact with and hinging movement of the covers, said second folding means is normally disposed outboard of the one carton body end in alignment for contact with and across top panels of the covers upon the movement thereof by said moving means, said second folding means being operative after the third folding means to complete the movement of the covers to their first positions, said third folding means being a pair of members each normally disposed along opposite sides of the carton body at an initial distance from each other, and means for directing said last-mentioned pair of members toward each other whereby each contacts an adjacent cover and progressively folds the same toward the first position thereof as established by said second folding means.

15. The machine as defined in claim 14 wherein said moving means is a conveyor mechanism carrying each of said folding means.

16. The machine as defined in claim 14 wherein at least one of said folding means carries means for reducing the frictional contact between said last-mentioned folding means and covers during the contact therebetween.

17. The machine as defined in claim 14 wherein said pair of members of said third folding means are pivotally carried by said moving means, and said directing means are a pair of guides each in alignment with one of said last-mentioned pair of members and in converging relationship in the direction of movement of said third folding means whereby contact between said guides and last-mentioned pair of members directs the latter toward each other and into contact with the carton covers.

18. The machine as defined in claim 14 wherein said second folding means includes a member pivotally mounted medially the ends thereof, and means are provided for maintaining a leading end of said member in an upwardly tilted position prior to initial contact thereof with the carton body covers.

19. The machine as defined in claim 16 wherein said frictional contact reducing means is a roller.

20. The machine as defined in claim 17 wherein said second folding means includes a member pivotally mounted medially the ends thereof, and means are provided for maintaining a leading end of said member in an upwardly tilted position prior to initial contact thereof with the carton body covers.

21. The machine as defined in claim 18 wherein the member of said second folding means carries means at each of its ends for reducing the frictional contact between said last-mentioned member and covers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,071,247 2/1937 Benoit et al. 53376X 2,842,920 7/1958 Carkhuif et al. 53-377X TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner

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