US3699744A

US3699744A - Carton closing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3699744A
Application number: US137414A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles H Willsey
Original assignee: Seymour Foods Inc
Current assignee: Seymour Foods Inc
Priority date: 1971-04-26
Filing date: 1971-04-26
Publication date: 1972-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-24
Also published as: CA961017A

Abstract

An apparatus for use in filling and closing egg cartons which comprises a frame mounted above a horizontal table onto which a cellular carton with a hinged cover member is adapted to be deposited in open position, so that eggs may be placed therein by an operator, the frame having a cross bar assembly carrying a series of radial fingers mounted at the front thereof which is adapted to be rotated to engage the fingers with a hinged locking panel at the front edge of the carton and to swing the panel into position for locking engagement inside the front wall of the cover member when the latter is closed, the cross bar assembly being movable to advance the filled carton beneath a cover closing assembly which is spaced rearwardly of the front cross bar assembly and above the table and which includes a plate member with the forward edge disposed in the path of the cover member so as to swing it down into closed position and having spring fingers arranged to bear on the cover member and insure engagement of co-operating locking elements on the cover front wall and the locking panel as the carton is advanced by pressure of a succeeding carton which is subsequently advanced beneath the cover closing assembly.

Description

United States Patent Willsey [15] 3,699,744 Oct. 24, 1972 [54] CARTON CLOSING APPARATUS Primary ExaminerTravis S. McGehee Attorney-Wetzel, Greenawalt & FitzGibbon [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for use in filling and closing egg cartons 4a 1 l8 i /F which comprises a frame mounted above a horizontal table onto which a cellular carton with a hinged cover member is adapted to be deposited in open position, so that eggs may be placed therein by an operator, the frame having a cross bar assembly carrying a series of radial fingers mounted at the front thereof which is adapted to be rotated to engage the fingers with a hinged locking panel at the front edge of the carton and to swing the panel into position for locking engagement inside the front wall of the cover member when the latter is closed, the cross bar assembly being movable to advance the filled carton beneath a cover closing assembly which is spaced rearwardly of the front cross bar assembly and above the table and which includes a plate member with the forward edge disposed in the path of the cover member so as to swing it down into closed position and having spring fingers arranged to bear on the cover member and insure engagement of co-operating locking elements on the cover front wall and the locking panel as the carton is advanced by pressure of a succeeding carton which is subsequently advanced beneath the cover closing assembly.

PATENTEB um 24 m2 SHEET 1 OF 3 INVENTOR CHARLES H. W/LLSEY BY ATT Y8 PATENTEDOBI24|972 3.699.744

sum 3 OF 3 I f I I 23.56- 55 INVENTOR CHARLES H. W/LLSE Y CARTON CLOSING APPARATUS This invention relates to the packaging of products in cartons and is more particularly concerned with improvements in an apparatus for use in connection with the packaging of eggs in cartons of the type which have a tray-like bottom section with a double row of pockets in which the eggs are adapted to be positioned and a tray-like cover section hinged along one side which is locked when swung to closed position by interengaging lock elements on the front wall and a co-operating locking panel hinged along the opposite side of the bottom section.

In the handling of fresh eggs which are designed for marketing in retail stores or the like, several types of cartons have been provided for packaging eggs in dozen lots. One type of carton, which is currently used in great quantities for this purpose, is generally formed of molded pulp and comprises a tray-like bottom section with pockets for receiving two lines of six eggs each, a cover section, also of tray-like form, which is hinged along one side of the bottom section, and a locking flap or panel hinged to the opposite side of the bottom section at the top of the front wall which has locking elements for interengagement with co-operating locking elements on the inside of the front wall of the cover section. These cartons, in some packing operations, are filled and closed manually. Various machines have been designed for perfonning the filling and closing operations, either wholly or in part, in an effort to obtain a higher rate of production. Many of the designs have not proven acceptable for one reason or another. Because of the fragile nature of the products and the cleaning and grading arrangements generally employed, it has been found desirable to provide a semi-automatic filling and closing system which is under the control of an operator who can observe the condition of the eggs as they are placed in the cartons and replace any which may be undesirable before the the cartons are closed, and which enables the packing operation to be carried out with a relatively high production rate. It is a general object of the present invention therefore to provide an apparatus for packing eggs in cartons of the type described wherein provision is made for feeding the cartons to a closing apparatus,-

the operation of which is under the'control of an operator who fills the carton manually and actuates the apparatus to automatically close and latch the cover member on each successive carton.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide an apparatus which is semi-automatic in operation for effecting the closing of a hinged cover member on an egg carton and for latching the cover member by engaging the front wall thereof with a hinged flap which carries locking elements for engagement with cooperating locking elements on the front wall of the cover member.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for closing and latching the hinged cover of an egg carton which has been deposited at a filling and closing station and into which an operator has placed the desired number of eggs wherein the apparatus includes a supporting table for the carton, a rotatable and reciprocally mounted finger carrying rod assembly for engaging and swinging into the carton a hinged locking panel, and a cover engaging cross member spaced above the table beneath which the filled carton is advanced by reciprocation of the rod assembly so as to swing the cover into closed position and thereafter press the cover downwardly and cause the locking flap to seat in cover locking position.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the carton closing apparatus which is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carton closing apparatus which embodies therein the principal features of the the invention, the apparatus being shown located beneath a carton dispensing mechanism at a filling and closing station in an egg packing line;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the carton closing apparatus of FIG. 1 with portions broken away and with an empty egg carton positioned thereon for filling;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 4- 4 of FIG. 2, to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 5 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section with a filled carton in position for the cover closing operation;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the start of the closing of the closing of the carton cover member; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrating the position of the apparatus near the end of the closing operation.

The carton closing apparatus 10 which is illustrated in the drawings is especially designed for incorporation in egg handling operations wherein eggs are delivered,

for example, from a grading machine to packing stations where an operator is equipped with a group lifting device for picking up two rows of six eggs each and depositing the same in a carton A which has been dropped into position on the apparatus 10 from an automatic carton dispenser disposed above the closing apparatus. The operator then initiates a cycle of operation which results in swinging the locking flap F into proper position for engaging inside the cover C which is swung to closed position as it 'is advanced beneath a closing mechanism and another empty carton is dropped into position for receiving the next batch of eggs.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the carton closing apparatus 10 is mounted on a vertical frame 11 with an empty carton gripping head 12 operative above the closing apparatus 10 which forms part of a carton dispenser (not shown). The apparatus 10 and the carton dispenser are operated automatically for successive closing and dispensing cycles, with each cycle of operation being initiated by the operator who is stationed at the front of the apparatus. Successive empty cartons A with the open side uppermost are deposited in position on the closing apparatus 10 for receiving an assembly of eggs of the required number, generally a dozen, which are placed therein by the operator. The movable elements of the apparatus 10 are operated by a pendulum-like swinging frame 14 which is pivoted at its upper end 15 on bearing brackets 16 on the main support frame 11 and swung about the pivot 15 by a linkage l7 connecting the depending arms 18 of the frame 14 with a movable member on the carton dispensing mechanism. The operationof both the carton dispenser and the apparatus 10 is controlled by a single revolution clutch (not shown) which is actuated by a suitable switch under the control of the operator, with each cycle of operation resulting in the closing of a carton after it has been filled with eggs, the return of the movable elements of the closing apparatus to initial position and the delivery of the next succeeding empty carton to the closing apparatus by the carton dispensing mechanism.

The closing apparatus 10 comprises a floor-forming base plate member supported at its forward end or side on the cross bar 21 of the main frame 11 and extending horizontally rearwardly thereof to a filled carton delivery platform 22 or, alternatively, a discharge conveyor. A side frame assembly 23 extends along each side of the bottom plate 20 which comprises a pair of

elongate bar members

24 and 25 mounted at opposite ends on forward and rearward

post assemblies

26 and 27 which assemblies include spacer sleeves separating the confronting top and bottom faces of the two

bars

24 and 25 so as to provide a guide slot 28 extending the length of each of the assemblies 23. The guide slots 28 provide guideways for receiving in sliding relation therein opposite ends of a cross bar on rod 30 which is initially positioned at the front of the apparatus and which supports a plurality of radially extending fingers 31 constituting a part of a combined locking flap closing and pusher assembly 32, the structure and operation of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

An empty carton supporting and cover closing unit 33 is removable mounted on the laterally spaced side frame assemblies 23 which comprises parallel

side support plates

34 and 35 extending upwardly from

rail members

36 and 37. The

rail members

36 and 37 are in the form of angle bars adapted to be removably mounted on the top bars 25 of the base frame side assemblies 23. The

side plates

34 and 35 are connected by a cross plate 38 having its central portion 40 (FIG. 2) inclined relative to the base plate 20 with the bottom edge terminating at a reversely bent marginal portion 41 which is disposed at a distance above the base plate 20 somewhat greater than the height of a closed carton as shown in FIG. 5. The curved bottom edge 42 of the plate portion 40 forms an abutment surface for turning or hinging the carton cover or lid section C in a closing direction when a filled carton A is moved beneath the same after it has been pushed down to the position shown in FIG. 5.

The

plates

34, 35 carry at their forward ends a pair of

smaller plates

45 and 46 on the inside faces of which there are

rib members

47 and 48 for temporarily supporting a carton bottom B when an empty carton is initially deposited on the apparatus, the carton cover section being supported on the inclined plate section 40.

' The

rib members

47 and 48 are inclined and extend in a plane generally parallel with the inclined plate portion or section 40 so that the peripheral flange at the ends of the carton bottom member will rest thereon. Each of the

plates

45 and 46 is mounted at its upper edge on a bent out upper edge portion of the

plates

34 and 35 by means of a pair of spaced bolts 50 with the

plates

45 and 46 extending downwardly in planes which are angled inwardly toward each other so as to provide a funnel-like support for the flanges on the carton bottom. The

plates

45 and 46 are provided with sufficient outward give or resiliency to permit the operator to push the carton downwardly between the

plates

45 and 46 so that the carton bottom B will rest on the table forming plate 20 in the position shown in FIG. 5 when the assembly of eggs has been placed therein. The

plates

45 and 46 may have sufficient resiliency to provide some outward movement or the bolt connections 50 may permit such movement. Altemately, the

plates

45 and 46 may be rigid and set so that the carton end flangeswill give sufficiently to pass over the

ribs

47 and 48 when a force is applied in a downward direction.

The cross bar assembly 32 at the forward end of the closer apparatus which is operative to swing the carton locking flap F into position and to push the filled carton beneath the cover closing plate unit 38 is connected at its opposite ends to the downwardly extending side members 18 on the frame 14 by

small links

51 and 52 so that swinging or oscillating movement of the operat ing frame 14 will move the shaft 30 in the slots 28. The shaft 30 carries at its one end a small arm 54 on the free end of which there is mounted a cam roller 55. A small cam block 56 is mounted in the path of the roller 55 for turning the shaft 30 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 when the shaft 30 is advanced in slots 28 by rearward swing movement of the frame 12 thereby turning the fingers which are carried on the shaft 30 in a direction to swing the locking lip or flap F on the front edge of the carton bottom section B in an upward and inward direction so as to position the same for engagement inside of the front wall of the carton cover member C. As the shaft 30 is advanced toward the rear of the apparatus 10, the locking lip or flange F is turned into cover engaging position and the entire carton is moved beneath the cover closing edge 42 of the plate assembly 38. The cover section C is swung towards closing position encompassing the locking flange F as the carton is advanced to a position where the cover member C is very nearly closed with the terminal ends of the fingers extending slightly beneath the cover flange or edge portion. When the shaft 30 has reached the position shown in FIG. 7, the swinging movement of the frame 14 is reversed which retracts the cross bar assembly 32 towards the front of the apparatus. A cam forming curved guard or guide member 57 is mounted on a supporting bracket 58 in the return path of the cam roller 55 so that upon retraction of the shaft 30 in its initial position,'the shaft 30 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to bring the fingers 31 back to their initial position as shown in FIG. 2.

The bottom flange 41 on the cover closing plate 38 carries a plurality of laterally spaced, flat spring members 60 which are spaced above the base plate 20 so as to bear on the top of the carton cover section C and insure that the latter is forced down to fully closed position which results in the interengaging of the latch members on the locking flap F and the front wall of the cover section, due to the resiliency in the hinge connection of the flap F with the flanged edge on the carton bottom section B.

Preferably, the cover closing unit 33 is removably secured by thumb screws 61 so that the entire unit may be readily removed for cleaning, repair or replacement.

The apparatus as illustrated includes an apparatus, indicated at 65 in FIG. 1, for stamping a date on the final package. This comprises an elongate support arm or bar 66 mounted at one end on a pivot bracket 67 and carrying at its other end a suitable type holding member or date stamp 68 disposed above the path of the completed package. A vertically extending operating rod 69 connected for vertical reciprocation with a suitable drive member (not shown) so as to reciprocate the type carrying end of the support bar 66. A cooperating, spring urged inking pad holder 70 is pivoted on a support bracket 71 and urged into a position for engaging the inking pad with the type when the arm 66 is raised to one position thereof. When the arm 66 is depressed by the operating rod 69 it cams the inking pad holder out of the path thereof and in final position engages the type with a top portion of a package moved beneath the same. 1

In operating the apparatus an empty carton A is deposited upon the apparatus at the end of each operating cycle and rests in the position shown in FIG. 2. The operator deposits the required number of eggs in carton bottom B and pushes the same down onto the bottom plate 20 which positions the assembly as shown in FIG. 5. The operator then actuates movement of the flap closing and pusher assembly 32. The fingers 31 are rotated by cam follower 55 engaging thecam block 56 so as to turn in the locking flap F and the assembly 32 advances toward the cover closing plate 38 forcing the carton beneath the abutment edge 42 which swings the cover C toward closed position. As the cover member C swings to a very nearly closed position, the assembly 32 is retracted by movement of the frame 14 to its initial position with the cam follower 55 engaging the cam rail 57 and turning the fingers to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The dispenser is operated at the end of the cycle to drop the next succeeding carton on the apparatus in open position for filling.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for use in filling and closing egg cartons of the type having a bottom tray member and a cover member in the form of a tray hinged to a back wall of the bottom member with a locking flap hinged to the front wall of the bottom member and having locking elements for co-operation with locking elements on the front wall of the cover member, said ap paratus comprising a supporting frame, a horizontally disposed table forming member, spaced side wall forming members extending upwardly of said table member, a cross plate member connecting said side wall members with a bottom edge spaced above said table member a distance somewhat greater than the height of the closed carton, said side wall members having means to temporarily support the ends of an empty carton bottom member when deposited thereon so that the latter is spaced above said table member with the cover member resting on said cross plate member, said supporting means permitting the carton bottom member to be depressed so as to rest on said table forming member with the carton cover member being swung upwardly to approximately half closed position by engaging with the bottom edge of said cross plate member, and a combination locking flap folder and pusher assembly mounted for reciprocation at the forward end of said table member whereby said flap folder and pusher assembly may be advanced toward the carton to fold said locking flap into position and to push said carton beneath the bottom edge of said cross plate member so as to close said carton cover member.

2. An apparatus for use in filling and closing egg cartons which have a cellular bottom tray with a cover hinged along the top edge at the rear side and a locking panel hinged along the top edge at the front side, said apparatus comprising a table forming member, a frame mounted above said table forming member on which a carton is adapted to be initially deposited in upwardly open position so that eggs may be placed in the cells in the bottom tray, a cross bar assembly reciprocably mounted at the front of said frame which is adapted to be operated to engage the hinged locking panel at the front edge of the carton and to swing said locking panel into position for locking engagement inside the front wall of the carton cover member when the latter is closed, a device for closing the carton cover member mounted above said table forming member and spaced rearwardly of said cross bar assembly which cover closing device includes a cross member disposed in the path of said carton cover member so as to engage the latter and swing it down toward closed position when the carton is advanced beneath the same, and means for moving said cross bar assembly forwardly toward said cover closing device so as to push the carton along said table forming member and advance the same beneath said cover closing device thereby to close the carton cover 'member.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said carton cover closing device comprises a cross plate member having a portion thereof inclined upwardly relative to the plane of said table forming member and a reversely bent bottom edge disposed a distance above said table forming member which is greater than the depth of the carton when the cover member is closed thereon.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said carton cover closing device comprises a cross member having a portion thereof in the form of an abutment edge on which the carton cover member will slide when the carton, with the cover member in open position, is advanced beneath the same so as to wipe the cover down toward a closed position.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said carton cover closing device comprises a separable unit with upstanding, spaced, parallel side plates and a connecting cross plate having an abutment forming edge spaced above the table forming member a distance sufficient to be engaged by the top face of a carton cover member when a carton is advanced beneath the same with the carton cover member hinged to an'upright position so as to swing the cover member downwardly about its hinged connection with the carton bottom member toward the closed position.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said cross plate has a portion inclined upwardly relative to said table forming member for co-operation with carton bottom end support members in providing initially a support for an empty carton in inclined position when the carton is dropped thereon in fully open position.

'7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cross plate has a reversely turned bottom side marginal portion and at least one spring member mounted thereon for pressing downwardly upon the cover of a carton when it is advanced on said table forming member beneath said cross plate.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cross plate has a reversely turned bottom side marginal portion forming an abutment edge extending across the path of an open carton cover member when a carton is advanced beneath the same so as to swing the hinged cover member toward a closed position and a plurality of spring members mounted on said marginal portion on a position to press down on the carton cover member when advanced beneath same thereby to fully close sad cover member.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein a printer device is mounted at the discharge end of said table forming member with operating means for printing a date or the like on a filled and closed carton.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said table forming member has parallel, upstanding side members with guideway formations therein for receiving end portions of said cross bar assembly so as to guide said cross bar assembly when it is reciprocated in a path parallel with the table forming member.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said cross bar assembly has a radially extending finger thereon positioned for engaging the carton locking panel and means is provided for initially rotating said cross bar assembly to swing the locking panel into the carton so that it will lie inside of the carton cover member when the latter is closed by advance beneath said cover closing device.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for rotating said cross bar assembly comprises a cam follower on said cross bar assembly and-a cam member disposed in the path of the same as said cross bar assembly is advanced to push a carton beneath said carton cover closing device.

13. An apparatus for use in filling and closing egg cartons of the type having a cellular bottom tray member and a cover member in the form of a tray hinged to a back wall of the bottom member with a flap hinged to the front wall of the bottom tray and having locking means for co-operation with the front wall of the cover member, said apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a horizontally disposed, table forming member, spaced side wall forming members extending upwardly of said table member, a cross member connecting said side wall members with an edge formation spaced above said table member a distance somewhat greater than the depth of the closed carton, said side wall members having inwardly extending means to engage the ends of a carton bottom member when deposited thereon so that the latter is supported adjacent said table forming member with the carton cover member resting on said cross member, said inwardly extending means permitting the carton bottom member to be pushed down onto said table forming member with the cover member being swung to partially closed position by engaging with edge of said cross member, and a combination flap folder and pusher assembly mounted at the forward end of said table member which is movable so that it may be advanced toward the carton to hinge said flap inwardly of the carton and to push said carton beneath the edge of said cross member thereby to close said cover member.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said inwardly extending means for initially engaging and supportin the ends of the carton bottom member comprises pla e members extending downwardly and inwardly of top portions of said side wall forming members and having inclined rib formations on the inner surfaces which are spaced to engage the ends of the empty carton bottom member and which are mounted for limited outward movement when downward force is applied to said carton bottom member.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in filling and closing egg cartons of the type having a bottom tray member and a cover member in the form of a tray hinged to a back wall of the bottom member with a locking flap hinged to the front wall of the bottom member and having locking elements for co-operation with locking elements on the front wall of the cover member, said apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a horizontally disposed table forming member, spaced side wall forming members extending upwardly of said table member, a cross plate member connecting said side wall members with a bottom edge spaced above said table member a distance somewhat greater than the height of the closed carton, said side wall members having means to temporarily support the ends of an empty carton bottom member when deposited thereon so that the latter is spaced above said table member with the cover member resting on said cross plate member, said supporting means permitting the carton bottom member to be depressed so as to rest on said table forming member with the carton cover member being swung upwardly to approximately half closed position by engaging with the bottom edge of said cross plate member, and a combination locking flap folder and pusher assembly mounted for reciprocation at the forward end of said table member whereby said flap folder and pusher assembly may be advanced toward the carton to fold said locking flap into position and to push said carton beneath the bottom edge of said cross plate member so as to close said carton cover member.

2. An apparatus for use in filling and closing egg cartons which have a cellular bottom tray with a cover hinged along the top edge at the rear side and a locking panel hinged along the top edge at the front side, said apparatus comprising a table forming member, a frame mounted above said table forming member on which a carton is adapted to be initially deposited in upwardly open position so that eggs may be placed in the cells in the bottom tray, a cross bar assembly reciprocably mounted at the front of said frame which is adapted to be operated to engage the hinged locking panel at the front edge of the carton and to swing said locking panel into position for locking engagement inside the front wall of the carton cover member when the latter is closed, a device for closing the carton cover member mounted above said table forming member and spaced rearwardly of said cross bar assembly which cover closing device includes a cross member disposed in the path of said carton cover member so as to engage the latter and swing it down toward closed position when the carton is advanced beneath the same, and means for moving said cross bar assembly forwardly toward said cover closing device so as to push the carton along said table forming member and advance the same beneath said cover closing device thereby to close the carton cover member.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said carton cover closing device comprises a separable unit with upstanding, spaced, parallel side plates and a connecting cross plate having an abutment forming edge spaced above the table forming member a distance sufficient to be engaged by the top face of a carton cover member when a carton is advanced beneath the same with the carton cover member hinged to an upright position so as to swing the cover member downwardly about its hinged connection with the carton bottom member toward the closed position.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cross plate has a reversely turned bottom side marginal portion and at least one spring member mounted thereon for pressing downwardly upon the cover of a carton when it is advanced on said table forming member beneath said cross plate.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for rotating said cross bar assembly comprises a cam follower on said cross bar assembly and a cam member disposed in the path of the same as said cross bar assembly is advanced to push a carton beneath said carton cover closing device.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said inwardly extending means for initially engaging and supporting the ends of the carton bottom member comprises plate members extending downwardly and inwardly of top portions of said side wall forming members and having inclined rib formations on the inner surfaces which are spaced to engage the ends of the empty carton bottom member and which are mounted for limited outward movement when downward force is applied to said carton bottom member.