US3879922A

US3879922A - Machine for closing and sealing erected cartons

Info

Publication number: US3879922A
Application number: US123700A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward J Derderian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-10-20
Filing date: 1971-03-12
Publication date: 1975-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 1992-04-29

Abstract

A machine for closing and sealing erected cartons having extended articulated flaps, characterized by a readily adjustable glue-applying apparatus particularly suited for use in applying parallel ribbons of glue to multiple portions of selected flaps while the flaps are then outwardly inclined at angles greater than 90* but less than 180* with respect to their carton-closing positions. A particular feature of the invention inheres in the use of intermittently operated extrusion heads supported in planes defining included angles greater than 90* and less than 180*, with respect to a horizontal plane, for applying extruded ribbons of adhesive to outwardly inclined, articulated flaps of cartons preparatory to their being closed and sealed.

Description

United States Patent Derderian 1 Apr. 29, 1975 1 1 MACHINE FOR CLOSING AND SEALING 3.354.606 11/1967 Miller et al. 53/374 x 3.426.502 2/1969 Greenberg 53/75 ERECTED CARTONS [76] lnvemor' a rg t kg gzg s Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Auurney. Agent, or Firm-Huebner & Worrel [22] Filed: Mar. 12, l97l [2]] Appl. N0.: 123,700 57 ABSTRACT Related Applicafio" Data A machine for closing and sealing erected cartons [63] Continuation-impart of Scr. No. 871.446. Oct. 20. having extended articulated flaps, characterized by a i969. abandoned. which i5 a continuation of SCI. N0. adjustable g]ue-app|ying apparatus particularly 67814201 1967- suited for use in applying parallel ribbons of glue to multiple portions of selected flaps while the flaps are [52] US. Cl. 53/374 then outwardly inclined at ang|es greater h 90 but [5 I'll. l than 0 respect to their canon closing p [58] Fleld of Search 53/374. 375 smons A particular feature of the invention inheres i the use of intermittently operated extrusion heads sup- [Sl References and ported in planes defining included angles greater than UNITED STATES PATENTS 90 and less than l80. with respect to a horizontal 1.862.346 6/1932 Van Der Pyl ct 111 53/374 P for pp y extruded ribbons Of adhesive 10 2.095.258 10/1937 Kimball et a1. 53/374 outwardly inclined, articulated flaps of cartons prepar- 2.69l.260 10/1954 Schlemmcr 53/374 X awry to their being closed and sealed. 2.762.274 9/1956 Kerr 53/374 X 2.808.693 10/1957 Guggenheim 53/374 X 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTE MRZWN SHEET 1 BF 3 EDWARD J. BERGER/AN INVENTOR A 77DRNEK$ PA I ENTEDAPRZSIQYS sumzum EDWARD J. DERDERIAN [Ill Em ATTOWEIG :aTEM EUAFRZQiQYB 3.879.922

EDWARD J. DERDER/AN INVENTOR A TTORNEKS MACHINE FOR CLOSING AND SEALING ERECTED CARTONS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 87l,446 abandoned, filed Oct. 20, 1969. which, in turn. is a continuation of application Ser. No. 678,420. filed Oct. 26, I967.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to carton sealing ma chines and more particularly to a machine including an improved glue-applying apparatus for use in adhesively sealing erected cartons and the like.

An expanding need for rapidly and economically sealed cartons and the like has lead to the development of numerous types of automatic carton sealing machines suited for adhesively sealing cartons substantially rectangular-in form and having articulated flaps folded inwardly over and inwardly below the contents of the cartons.

Attempts have been made to employ pressurized glue applicators including extrusion heads for applying ribbons of liquid glue to articulated flaps of cartons as the flaps are maintained in vertical positions. However. currently available extrusion heads have a distinct propensity to weep, due to the so-called standpipe effect wherein air is permitted to enter the upper portions of the head, through adhesive discharge openings, for thus destroying fluid restraining vacuum developed within the head. Consequently. these efforts heretofore have met with limited success since weeping" and running" of the glue normally attend a use of these heads. As should readily be apparent, weeping and running of the glue employed in sealing cartons are highly undesirable. since the contents of the cartons being sealed thus are subjected to contamination by the glue. or similar adhesive, so that the quality thereof seriously is impaired.

In some instances the flaps are folded to outwardly extended positions for receiving glue, applied in ribbons by pressurized extrusion heads. However. numerous additional difficulties frequently are encountered when such techniques are employed. For example, folding of the flaps normally is achieved through a use of stationary guides acting as plows, which outwardly fold articulated flaps along their score lines. Thus, the guides serve to break the flaps along the score lines, as the flaps are caused to assume a horizontal position, prior to receiving the glue. In some instances, the folding is sufficiently vigorous to initiate a fracture or rupture of the flap. Furthermore, due to the inherently present restraining effects of the guides, as they act on the surfaces of flaps of filled and moving cartons, there is a tendency for the cartons to become deformed, and- /or the flaps to be torn and even severed, particularly where the flaps are manipulated in the course of highspeed carton-sealing operations.

Additionally, where hot-melt glue is employed as an adhesive, in sealing the cartons, folding of the flaps through angles of 180, from a horizontal gluereceiving position to a carton-closing position, is deemed undesirable. Such results from the inherent time lag encountered in performing flap-folding operations.

Another problem sometimes encountered is in achieving and maintaining selected relative positions of the extrusion heads due to vibratory motion imparted thereto during periods of the machine operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved carton-sealing apparatus.

Another object is the provision of a carton-sealing machine having an adhesive applying apparatus for ap' plying adhesive to side flaps of cartons, while the flaps are disposed at appreciable angles relative to their folded carton-sealing positions.

Another object is to provide a gluing apparatus in which the glue is applied automatically to localized areas on the side flaps for avoiding contact of the glue with the contents of the carton.

A further object is to provide an improved cartonsealing machine which readily is adjustable for accommodating different heights and widths of cartons being handled.

Another object is to provide an improved adjustable support for facilitating a rapid reorientation of carton units employed in carton-sealing machines.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a carton-sealing machine which is employable in rapidly gluing and sealing cartons while avoiding misshapen cartons and misaligned flaps.

Another object is to provide an improved adjusting mechanism for use in adjusting carton-sealing machines.

Another object is to provide in a carton-sealing machine a gluing apparatus in which glue is applied to upstanding articulated flaps of filled cartons, and the like, while the flaps are extended at an angle greater than and less than with respect to the carton closing position thereof for thereby avoiding contamination of the contents of the filled cartons while permitting the flaps to be positioned to a carton closing disposition within a time interval sufficiently short for accommodating a use of quick-drying glues and the like.

These and other objects and advantages are achieved through an apparatus having adjustably supported guides for receiving and maintaining adjustable machine side flaps of a carton in a proper relationship while the carton is moved through the machine, and simultaneously applying glue to localized areas of the side flaps as they are supported at an inclination during the passage thereof through the guides. The application of the glue is achieved through adjustably supported glue applicators, including extrusion heads associated with the guides and controlled by a series of switches manipulated during movement of the carton through the machine, certain of the switches being adjustable to dictate the duration of the glue applying operation and to accommodate cartons of differing dimensions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a carton-sealing machine including an improved adhesive applying apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a somewhat enlarged detail side elevation of one of the side flap guides and its associated glue applying apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4, but with parts omitted.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the switch system for controlling the application of glue to the side flaps of the box.

FIG. 7 is a perspective schematic view of an adjusting unit employable in achieving lateral reorientation of the glue applying apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a fragmented perspective view of an alternate form of an adjusting unit employable with the unit of FIG, 7 in achieving reorientation of the glue applying apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a lock employable with the unit of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a machine 10, similar to a machine disclosed in US. Letters Pat. No. 2,764,123.

The machine 10 includes a lower frame II, an upper frame 12, a carton supporting and guide track system including an elongated plate 13, sloping rollers 14, table plate 15, lower guide rails 16, support plate 17, and upper guide rails 18, an endless driven chain including spaced cross flight bars 19, an end flap depressing plate 21, a rotatable flap tucker arm 22, and upper and lower plows 23 and 24 for folding the

side flaps

25 and 26 of an erected carton 27 against their adjacent end flaps, substantially as shown and described in greater detail in the aforementioned patentv In some instances. of course, the cartons may be presented to the machine It] with the flaps thereof angularly related with respect to both their open and closed positions. However, it is important to understand that the particular manner in which the cartons are presented to the machine I forms no part of the instant invention.

Directing attention to FIG. 3, the lower frame 11 of the machine has secured thereto mounting brackets 28 which support bearing mounts 29. These mounts serve to journal a pair of

vertical shafts

31 and 32 which are interconnected by an endless chain 33 and provided with appropriate gearing for accommodating simultaneous rotation of the shaft in a common direction.

Secured to the upper end of the shaft 31 there is a concentric bevel gear 34 meshed with a bevel gear 35. The gear 35, in turn, is secured to a horizontally extended shaft 36 journaled in a bearing mount 37 attached to the frame 11. The shaft 36 includes a squared end 36: receivable in a suitable opening in a handcrank, quite similar to that illustrated in FIG. 8, for turning of the shaft. Each of the

vertical shafts

31 and 32 is formed with similarly directed helical screw threads 38 which receive thereon nuts 39. These nuts serve as journals for a horizontal shaft 41, also provided with a squared end, designated 41s, for receiving a hand-crank or the like, not shown. It should be apparent that rotation of the shaft 36 causes the

vertical shafts

31 and 32 to rotate in a common direction for raising and lowering the nuts 39 and the shaft 41 carried thereby. The direction of movement of the nuts 39, of course, depends upon the direction of the rotation imparted to the shaft 36.

The shaft 4] is provided with oppositely directed helical thread portions 420 and 42b which are threadedly engaged with nuts 43a and 43b, respectively, which, in turn, slidably engage a supporting angle iron 44. Consequently, rotation imparted to the shaft 41 serves to move the nuts 43a and 43b farther apart or brings them closer together, depending upon the direction of rotation of the shaft.

Somewhat similarly, upper frame 12 has attached thereto bearing mounts 45 in which are journaled a pair of vertical shafts 46a and 46b having helically threaded portions 47 threadedly engaging a pair of nuts 48. The shafts 46a and 46b are connected by an endless chain 49 and appropriate gearing for affording the shafts simultaneous rotation in a common direction. The upper end of the shaft 460 being squared, as at 465, for receiving a handcrank, also is not shown. Journaled in the pair of nuts 48 is a horizontal shaft 51 having oppositely directed helically threaded portions 520 and 52b which threadedly engage a pair of nuts 53a and 53b, respectively. These nuts also are slidably engaged by an angle iron 54 and the shaft having a squared end 51s for receiving a hand-crank, not shown. Hence, it will be appreciated that a turning of the shaft SI serves to adjust the position of the nuts 53a and 53b, inwardly or outwardly, and turning of shaft 46a serves to adjust the po' sition of the nuts 48, upwardly or downwardly.

It is important to understand that the shafts 46a, 46b and the shaft 51, as described, are driven through a manipulation of a hand-crank, for effecting reorientation of the nuts associated therewith. However, a power train, hereinafter more fully described, preferably is employed for this purpose.

Each of the nuts 43a, 43b, 53a and 53b has mounted thereon a side flap guide and glue application device, designated generally by reference numeral 55. Hence, it will be appreciated that by turning the

shafts

36, 41, 46 and 51, the devices 55 will be adjusted to accommodate cartons 27 of various heights and widths. Also, it will be noted that the side flap guide and glue applying devices 55 are so disposed that the side flaps guided thereby are outwardly inclined at a selected angle with respect to the horizontal, preferably at an angle of approximately Since the several glue application de vices 55 are of substantially similar construction, only the device associated with the nut 53b will be described in detail, it being understood that the description thereof also applies appropriately to the remaining devices 55.

Inviting particular attention to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be noted that the nut 53b has affixed thereto a supporting plate 56 to which an attaching plate 57 is adjustably connected by bolts 58 or the like. The plate 57 is fixed to one side of one of a pair of U-shaped brackets 59, to the legs of which are attached side flap guide elements 61a and 61b inwardly thereof. The guide elements 61a and 61b, FIG. 5, include off-set end portions 61(- and 61d, and are spaced apart sufficiently to receive therebetween and guide a side flap for a carton, designated, for purposes of illustration by the reference numeral 25, as a carton 27 is advanced therethrough.

The attaching plate 57 also has affixed thereto a laterally projecting stub shaft 62 adjustably received in a connector 63, the connector having a support shaft 64 to which a support bracket 65 adjustably is connected. Pivoted to the bracket 65 is a support arm 66 to which an angle bracket 67 is adjustably secured. The bracket 67 adjustably supports a glue applicator 68 having a glue extrusion head 69, sometimes called a glue applying nozzle, to which glue is supplied by a conduit 70. Preferably, the supply is controlled by a solenoidoperated valve 71 connected by wiring, collectively designated by numeral 72, to control switches and a power source, hereinafter described. Of course, the valve 71 can be controlled by air or similar fluids.

As a practical matter, each of the extrusion heads 69 has a row of spaced openings, not designated, and is resiliently urged by torsion springs 74 against a felt pad 75 suitably supported on the adjacent end of the guide element 61b, preferably by a slotted member 76. The pad 75 extends into a water container 77 and acts as a wick to keep the glue in the openings of the head 69 from drying.

The ends 610 of the upper pair of devices 55 have associated therewith telescoping guide rods 780 which extend to and are connected with the depressing plate 21 for unfolding and guiding the upper side flaps 25 of the carton 27 toward the guiding space between the elements 61a and 61b. Similarly, a lower pair of guide rods 78b extend from the table plate for performing a similar service for the bottom side flaps 26 of the carton, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As a practical matter, the guide rails 16 and 18 also are arranged for lateral adjustment by being suitably supported by threaded shafts 80 having squared ends 80s, FIG. 1.

Conduits 70, provided for the upper devices 55, are connected to a manifold 79 to which the glue is supplied via a pipe 81 from a suitable source, including a container 82 of glue supported by a bracket 83. The container is pressurized by air delivered via a pipe 84, also from a suitable source, not shown. The conduits provided for the lower pair of devices 55 similarly are supplied with glue from the container 82 by a manifold and pipe smaller to the manifold 79 and pipe 81.

In practice, the glue is applied to the side flaps 25 and 26 at spaced intervals and in a manner which provides voids along the surface of the flaps between the adjacent ends of folded end flaps ofa carton 27. While the side flaps are being guided by the elements 610 and 61b and the carton is moved through the machine by a cross flight bar 19 engaging the rear side thereof, the flight bar and the guide elements cooperate to maintain the sides of the carton in a rectangular relationship. It has been found in practice that cartons sealed employing the machine of the present invention always have square corners and rnisshapened boxes and misaligned flaps are avoided.

The control system for the gluing operation is best shown in FIG. 6, wherein is schematically illustrated circuitry for intermittently actuating the solenoidoperated valves 71 which, in turn, control the application of glue by the extrusion heads 69. The first or master switch in the control system is a normally open switch 85 having an actuating lever 86. This switch is suitably mounted, for example, on one of the upper guide rails 18, FIG. 3, so as to dispose the lever in the path of the carton 27. The other three switches employed in the system, designated 87, 88 and 89, respectively, are adjustably mounted on a support rod 91 on the frame 11, FIGS. 1 and 2. As a practical matter, the

switches

87 and 89 are also of the normally open type and are actuated by levers 92 and 93, respectively. The switch 88, however, normally is closed and is provided with an actuating lever 94. The

levers

92, 93 and 94 are extended to be actuated by a flight bar 19 as it advances through the machine.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the control system also includes a solenoid-operation switch 95 which has a pair of shorting bars 96 and 97. Accordingly, as a carton 27 is moved through the machine, its forward edge engages the lever 86 of switch and closes the switch, which completes a circuit from an electrical power source 98 via leads 99-103 and the shorting bar 96 through the solenoid-operated valves 71 and back to the power source. The switch 85 remains closed until the carton clears the lever 86. With the valves 71 thus energized, glue is applied to the respective heads 69 which extrude the glue through the openings thereof, and thus apply it to the leading portions of the side flaps 25 and 26 as they advance from the guide elements 61a and 61b.

The application of glue to the side flaps continues until the lever 92 of the switch 87 is engaged and tripped by a flight bar 19, whereupon the switch is closed and power is directed from the source 98 through the solenoid switch 95, via leads 99 and 103-105, causing it to move shorting the bar 96 and thus breaking the valve energizing circuit. The switch 87 is so positioned that the application of glue to the side flaps 25 and 26 is localized in the areas to be superimposed on the surface of the forward end flaps, when sealing of the carton has been completed.

The energization of the solenoid switch also moves shorting the bar 97 to complete a circuit including

closed switches

85 and 88, leads 99, 100, 103 and 105-107 and the solenoid coil of the solenoid switch 95, for holding the solenoid switch energized and the valve energizing circuit open.

Engagement of the lever 94 of the normally closed switch 88, by the flight bar 19, causes this switch to open and the aforementioned holding circuit to be broken. Thus, de-energizing the solenoid switch 95 is achieved which permits the shorting bars to return to normal position, i.e., with the shorting bar 97 withdrawn, creating a gap between leads 106 and 107, and the shorting bar 96 in place bridging the gap between leads 101 and 102. Hence, the valve energizing circuit is completed, whereupon the valves 71 open and permit glue to issue from the openings of the heads 69. The position of the switch 88 is adjusted on the rod 91 so that the glue commences to issue after passage of the leading ends of the folded rear end flaps of the carton so that the application of glue in areas where it might contact the contents of the carton thus is avoided.

Next, the lever 93 of the switch 89 is actuated by the flight bar 19 for closing the switch and completing a circuit via the switch, leads 99, 108, 109, 105 and 103 and the solenoid coil of the solenoid switch 95 for energizing the solenoid switch and breaking the valve energizing circuit. The switch 89 is adjusted on the rod 91 so that shortly afterward the carton 27 clears the lever 86, of the switch 85, and the switches return to the normal positions, shown in FIG. 6, the machine is readied to receive another carton 27. It is to be noted that in the absence of the canon 27 for actuating the master switch 85, actuation of switches 87-89 is ineffective.

It is important to note that, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the

horizontal shafts

41 and 51 are supported to be rotated by handcranks in a manner hereinbefore described. These shafts function quite satisfactorily when so supported. It is, however, also important to note that the

shafts

41 and 51 can be driven in rotation in response to an operation of selectively operable drive trains for rapidly reorienting the nuts 43a and 43b and the nuts 53a and 53b to effect a variation in the spacing established therebetween.

For the sake of simplicity. a single drive train, generally designated 115, employed in driving the shaft 51 for laterally adjusting the position of the nuts 53a and 53b is hereinafter described with the description thereof having equally applicable to the drive train often employed in driving the shaft 41 for achieving lateral adjustment of the nuts 43a and 4311. Further, it is to be understood that as many drive trains as is desired can be employed.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the shaft 51 is journaled in a pair of bearings 120 suitably mounted at opposite sides of the upper frame 12. Therefore it is to be understood that the shaft 51 is supported near its opposite ends by the frame 12.

Fixed to the shaft 51 is a concentrically mounted, driven sprocket 122. This sprocket serves as a torque input sprocket for imparting rotation to the shaft 51. The sprocket 122, in turn, is driven through a suitable chain 124 trained thereabout and circulated by a driving sprocket 126 mounted on the output end of the shaft 128. The shaft 128, in turn, is mounted to be driven by a suitable reduction train, not shown, supported within a gear box 130 and coupled in a driven relationship with a fluid-driven motor 132.

The motor 132 preferably is powdered by a stream of air and is of a suitable and commercially available design. As such, the motor 132 responds to an introduction of a stream of air under pressure and provides a predetermined output torque. Similarly, the reduction train is of a known design and is suitable for steppingdown the speed ofthe motor 132 as it drives the output shaft 128 for imparting rotation to the sprocket 126. Of course. the motor 132 and gear train employed can be varied as is found desirable for satisfying the requirement of given operative parameters.

In practice, the motor 132 is rotated in a first direction in response to a flow of air delivered thereto through one of a pair of conduits 134 for achieving rotation in a first direction, and similarly responds to a flow of air delivered through the other conduit, of the pair of conduits 134, for achieving rotation in a second direction, opposed to the first direction or rotation. Hence, by delivering air through a selected conduit of the pair of conduits 134, the direction of rotation imparted to the motor 132 is established.

The pair of conduits 134 operatively is associated with a suitable selector valve 136 coupled with a pressure line 138. The pressure line 138 is valved by an onoff valve 139 and serves as a pressure input for deliver ing air under pressure, from a source not shown, to the selector valve and thence to the motor 132. Accordingly, it is to be understood that by a selective manipulation of the selector valve 136, the direction of rotation imparted to the motor 132 is determined.

Selective manipulation of the selector valve 136 is achieved through a pair of manually operable buttons 140 associated with suitable on-off valves, not shown. These valves normally are closed and are coupled with the selector valve 136 through a plurality of fluid conduits 142 in a manner such that as a selected one of the buttons 140 is digitated, a flow of air is delivered to the selector valve 136 for driving the valve in a switching" mode. whereby a flow of air from the pressure line 138, through the pair of conduits 134 to the motor 132 is reversed in a manner consistent with fluid-control circuit design.

Also coupled with the selector valve 136, through a pair of conduits 144, is a normally opened. on-off valve 146, through with the conduits 144 communicate. The valve 146 is provided with a suitable unit associated with a spring-loaded reciprocable button 148 which, when depressed, acts to interrupt the communication between the conduits 144.

Preferably, the on-off valve 146 is interposed between the pressure line 138 and the pair of conduits 134 so that a flow of air to the conduits 134 is interrupted in response to a closing of the valve 146. Of course, the particular arrangement employed in associating the on-off valve 146 with the pressure line 138 and the pair of conduits 134 is dictated, in part. by the particular type of selector valve employed. It is, however, important to appreciate that the on-off valve 146 responds to a depression of the button 148 for interrupting an established flow of air as it is delivered from the pressure line 138 to the motor 132.

The button 148 is depressed, in operation, by means of an arcuately displaceable cam 150 having a pair of oppositely inclined faces 15] and suitably fixed at the distal end of a radial arm 152. The arm 152 is secured to a gear-driven disk 154, through a suitable collar, not designated. Preferably, the disk 154 is a spur gear supported for rotation about a concentrically related support shaft 156. Hence, by imparting rotation to the disk 154, the arm 152 arcuately is displaced for reposition ing the cam 150 bringing one of its faces 151 into depressing engagement with the button 148 of the on-off valve 146.

The disk 154 is coupled with the shaft 51 through a gear train including a spur gear 158 fixed to an adjacent end of the shaft 51 and is driven in rotation by the shaft 51 as it is driven in rotation for displacing the nuts 53a and 53b. As a practical matter, the spur gear 158 is meshed with teeth formed about the periphery of the disk 154 to provide a perdetermined ratio found practical in achieving a desired displacement of the arm 152 for a given magnitude of displacement imparted to the nuts 53a and 53b.

In order to vary the distance through which the arm 152 must be displaced for effecting a depression of the button 148, the valve 146 is fixed to the shaft 156, through an arm 157, while the shaft 156 is supported for rotation by a suitable bearing structure, not shown. At the distal end of the support shaft 156, there is provided a manually operable knob 160 provided for accommodating a manually effected repositioning of the valve 146.

In practice, a pointer-dial unit, generally designated 162, also is associated with the support shaft 156 so that the magnitude of the repositioning of the on-off valve 146 is determinable through an observation of the pointer-dial unit 162. Since the unit 162 is of any convenient construction, a detailed description is omitted. However, it is to be understood that the dial of the unit 162 is provided with indicia indicative of displacement for the nuts 53a and 53b. Therefore, by repositioning the valve 146, through a manipulation of the knob 160, in accordance with the markings of the pointer-dial unit 162, the extent of displacement of the arm 152, as required for pressing of the button 148. can be varied.

Once the position selected for the on-off valve 146 is established, rotation of the shaft 156 is arrested by a spur gear 164 fixed thereto and meshed with a second spur gear 166. The gear 166 is fixed to an axially reciprocable shaft 168 having a knob 170 fixed thereto. In practice, there is provided a compression spring 172 for urging the spur gear 166 into a meshing relationship with the spur gear 164. Also, though not shown, it is to be understood that the shaft 168 is provided with suitable mating splined blocks with preclude rotation. Thus, it can be appreciated that so long as the spur gear 166 is meshed with the spur gear 164, rotation of the shaft 156 is prohibited and the position of the valve 146 is fixed.

For reasons which should readily be apparent, it is highly desirable to preclude an over-run of the output shaft 128 once selected positions for the nuts 53a and 53b are achieved. Consequently, a friction brake, generally designated 174, is associated with the output shaft 128 and functions to arrest rotation of the shaft 128 as a selected cam face 151, of the cam 150, engages and depresses the button 148 of the valve 146.

While the brake 174 can be of any convenient design, the brake, as currently employed, includes a brake disk 176 fixed to the shaft 128 and interposed between a brake block, not designated, of a brake-block assembly 178. The brake-block assembly 178 is a fluid-actuated unit. of a suitable design. operatively coupled through a conduit 180 with the selector valve 136 and the conduits 144 in a manner such that as flow of fluid through the conduits 144 is interrupted, the assembly 178 is rendered effective for clamping and thus frictionally arresting the rotation of the disk 176 for thereby arresting rotation of the shaft 128.

When employing the motor 132 for repositioning the nuts 53a and 53b the pointer-dial unit 162 selectively is positioned to a selected setting, by rotating the knob 160, so that reception of cartons 27 having known lateral dimensions is accommodated. The pointer-dial unit 162 is fixed at the selected setting through a manipulation of the knob 170 to effect a meshed engagement between the teeth of the spur gears 164 and 166.

As the knob 160 is manipulated for altering the position of the pointer-dial 162, the on-off valve 146 is advanced through a proportional distance as the shaft 156 is rotated. Hence, the distance through which the nuts 53a and 53b are to be advanced is established by setting the unit 162.

The direction of advancement for the nuts 53a and 53b is established by digitating one of the buttons 140. As air is delivered through the pressure line 138, in response to an opening of the valve 139, the brake-block assembly 178 acts to release the disk 172. Simultaneously therewith, rotation is imparted to the shaft 51, through the responsive circulation of the chain 124 as the motor 132 is energized. As the shaft 51 is rotated,

the nuts 53a and 53b are advanced in an axial direction along the shaft while an arcuate advancement of the arm 152 simultaneously is effected. As the nuts 53a and 5312 are advanced, in accordance with the selection made by manipulating the pointer-dial unit 162, a face 151 of the cam 150 engages and depresses the button 148 whereupon delivery of air to the motor 132 is interrupted. Consequently, the operation of the motor 132 is terminated and the brake 174 is caused to engage the disk 176 for arresting rotation of the shaft 128, whereupon the nuts 53a and 53b are restrained against movement.

Where the shaft 51 is journaled in bearings seated in the frame 12, it is desirable to elevate and lower the frame 12, relative to the frame 11, in order to accommodate cartons having different dimensions in vertical directions.

Accordingly. the frame 12 is provided with a plurality of axially reciprocable support shafts 181, P16. 8, which serve as jacks" for elevating and lowering the frame 12, only one of which is illustrated and described. for the sake of simplicity. In practice, the shaft 181 is seated for reciprocation in a suitable bearing 182 fixed to the frame 11, by welding or other means. Along one face of the shaft 181 there is provided a rack 184 meshed with a rotatably supported spur gear 186. Hence, by driving the spur gear 186 in rotation, the shaft is caused to axially be advanced in a direction determined by the direction of rotation imparted to the spur gear.

The spur gear 186, in turn, is fixed to a drive shaft 188 suitably supported for rotation by suitable bearing structure, not shown. Also fixed to the shaft 188 is a worm-wheel 190 meshed with a worm 192 fixed to an input shaft 194. The shaft 194 also is supported in suitable bearings, such as a plain bearing 196 seated in the frame 11, so that rotation of the shaft 194 is accommodated. ln order to impart rotation to the shaft 194 a crank-handle 198 having formed thereon suitable flats. not designated. is received at the outermost end of the drive shaft 194. Consequently, through a simple manipulation of the crank-handle 198 rotation is imparted to the rack-and-pinion coupling 183 as the worm-wheel coupling 189 is actuated in response to a manipulation of the handle 198.

Of course, it should readily be apparent that vibratory motion imparted to the frame 12, during periods of the machine's operation, tends to cause the shaft 180 to become reoriented. Therefore, the shaft 194 is provided with a locking mechanism generally designated 200 which effectively secures the shaft 181 in a desired position established by rotating the handle of the handcrank 198.

As best illustrated in FIG. 9, the locking mechanism 200 includes a disk 202 rigidly fixed to the shaft 194, preferably through a pin-and-collar coupling 204. The peripheral portion of the disk 202 is slotted at predetermined intervals to provide a plurality of peripheral slots 206 extending radially into the disk. Adjacent to the disk 202, and above the level of the shaft 194, there pivotally is mounted a pin 208. The pin is of a tonguelike configuration and is supported by a suitable bracket 210 arranged adjacent to the periphery of the disk 202. The bracket 210, in turn, is fixed to the frame 11 in any suitable manner, including a plurality of bolts 212. A pivot pin 214 serves quite satisfactorily for supporting the pin 208 in a manner which accommodates a gravitating displacement thereof into a locking engagement with a given slot 206 as the slot radially is aligned therewith.

While the drive train 115 has particular utility in imparting lateral displacement to the nuts 53a and 53b, it is to be understood that, where desired, the shafts 181 can be replaced by a threaded shaft and driven through a drive train quite similar to the drive train 115.

OPERATION The operation of the apparatus of the present invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. With the guide rails 16 and 18, devices 55 and switches 87-89 previously having been adjusted to accommodate the dimensions of the carton 27, the carton is fed into the machine so that its rear side is engaged by a cross flight bar 19 for advancement therethrough. In the event the side flaps 25 and 26 are infolded, the guide rods 78a and 78b function to spread and outfold the side flaps 25 and 26, co operating with the bent ends 61c and 61d to direct the side flaps into the space between the guide elements 610 and 61b. The guide elements 61a and 61b cooperate with the flight bar engaging the carton 27 to maintain the same in rectangular relationship with corners square, the leading edges of the side flaps, as they emerge from the elements 61a and 61b, entering be tween the nozzles 69 and their respective felt pads 75, the leading side of the carton 27 engaging the master switch 85 and causing the application of glue which continues until the next flight bar 19 trips the lever 92 of the switch 87 to cut off the supply of glue to the heads. When the lever 94 of the switch 88 is tripped by the same flight bar, the application of glue to the side flaps recommences and continues until the switch lever 93 is tripped by the flight bar, the circuitry returning to normal with disengagement of the switch lever 86 from the carton. With continued movement of the carton, case or package, the plows 23 and 24 operate to fold back the glued side flaps against their respective end flaps causing adherence and sealing.

There has thus been provided a packaging machine having a gluing apparatus which cooperates with the machine to maintain cartons being sealed in rectangular form. with the glue or other adhesive being applied to localized areas of the side flaps while they are supported in an outwardly inclined disposition in order to avoid a deposition of glue on the contents of the carton.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. For example, the adjustment of the apparatus to accommodate cartons of various heights and widths could be performed automatically as by the provision of mechanical or electrical sensors controlling the operation of reversible motors coupled to the several shafts for driving the same in the proper direction.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for applying adhesive to pivotally supported flaps extended upwardly from the vertical walls of cartons and adapted to be displaced to cartonclosing positions comprising:

A. positioning means for positioning said flaps at an angle greater than 90 and less than 180 with respect to said carton-closing positions including flap guide means comprising elongated spaced apart guide elements for receiving said flaps therebetween mounted for vertical and horizontal adjustment relative to said apparatus for accommodating cartons of various widths and heights;

LII

B. means including a plurality of extrusion heads, each including a plurality of openings adapted to issue adhesive in a fluid state and to apply said adhesive to selected surfaces of one of said flaps as the flap is maintained at said angle;

C. means including a plurality of moisture transmitting pads, each being associated with one head of said plurality of heads;

D. a plurality of water containers operatively associated with said pads adapted to deliver moisture to said pads; and

E. means resiliently urging said plurality of heads into engagement with said plurality of pads for inhibiting the drying of adhesive within the openings of the heads.

2. A machine for sealing rectangular cartons having pivotal flaps comprising:

A. means for moving said cartons through the machine along a predetermined path including a flight bar disposed transversely to the path;

B. means for folding said flaps to a predetermined angle with respect to a carton-closing position thereof;

C. support means for maintaining said flaps at said angle during movement of the carton through the machine;

D. said support means including pairs of elongated parallel guide elements for receiving said flaps therebetween disposed parallel to the path of movement of said carton, said flight bar and said guide elements cooperating to maintain the sides of said carton in a rectangular relationship;

E. means for applying adhesive to said flaps while they are maintained at said predetermined angle including a plurality of adhesive applying heads. a solenoid-operated valve connected with each of said heads, and electrical circuitry controlling the valve, said circuitry including a master switch adapted to be actuated by movement of said carton through said machine, and switch means adapted to be actuated by the flight bar; and

F. means for folding said flaps to carton-closing position for sealing the cartons.

3. A machine for sealing cartons having side flaps including a gluing apparatus for applying adhesive to the flaps comprising:

A. means adapted to move said cartons continuously through said machine including a plurality of parallel, equally spaced flight bars, and means for con tinuously displacing the flight bars along a path extending through the machine;

B. means for folding said side flaps from a folded position to an opened position wherein said flaps are disposed at a predetermined angle greater than 90 and less than l with respect to the folded position as the cartons are moved through the machine;

C. means defining a glue applicator including extrusion heads adapted to be actuated to issue glue in a fluid state and to apply glue to said side flaps as the cartons are moved continuously through said machine while the flaps are maintained in said opened position, a solenoid-operated valve adapted to control the issuance of glue from said heads, a first microswitch disposed in the path of said cartons adapted to be actuated by a carton as it is advanced by a first flight bar for actuating said solenoid to initiate an issuance of glue from said heads, a second microswitch disposed in the path of a second flight bar, spaced from said first flight bar, adapted to interrupt the actuation of said heads for interrupting the issuance of glue as the carton is advanced by the first flight bar, a third microswitch disposed in the path of said second flight bar adapted to be actuated by said second flight bar for causing said heads to again be actuated for issuing glue, and a fourth microswitch disposed in the path of said second flight bar adapted to be actuated by said second flight bar for interrupting the actuation of said heads for terminating the application of glue to said side side flaps; and

D. means for folding said side flaps after glue has been applied thereto for thus, sealing said cartons.

4. An apparatus for use in reorienting flap guide means in carton sealing machines comprising:

A. a vertically adjustable frame;

8. means including a vertically reciprocable support shaft for adjustably supporting said frame;

C. means including a rack-and-pinion coupling operatively associated with said support shaft for imparting vertical reciprocation thereto;

D. means including a drive shaft and a worm-andgear coupling associated therewith for operatively integrating the drive shaft with the rack-and-pinion coupling, and means for manually imparting rotation to said shaft for imparting vertical reciprocation to said support shaft through said worm-gear and rack-and-pinion couplings;

E. means for adjustably supporting said flap guides including.

1. a plurality of bearings mounted in said frame,

2. a screw-threaded shaft supported by said bearings and having formed thereon axially spaced segments of opposed helical threads.

3. a plurality of internally threaded axially spaced nuts restrained from rotation and mounted on said shaft in a paired relationship with said segments, and

4. means for imparting rotation to said shaft whereby axial displacement is imparted to said nuts as rotation is imparted to said shaft;

F. means for imparting rotation to said threaded shaft comprising,

1. a selectively operable power train including a selectively operable motor coupled with said shaft. and

2. motor control means associated with said motor for imposing thereon operative control;

G. a disk fixed to said drive shaft in a concentric relationship therewith having means defining a plurality of radially extending slots terminating in the peripheral portion thereof; and

H. means including a tongue pivotally supported above said shaft, adjacent the periphery of said disk, and configured to be received within each of said slots for selectively impeding rotation of said wheel.

5. Means for use in reorienting guide means supported on a rotatable shaft and employed in carton sealing machines employed in sealing cartons having articulated flaps comprising:

A. fluid circuit means having a selectively operable. fluid-driven motor associated with a power train extending between said motor and said rotatable shaft, and control means operatively associated with said motor for imposing thereon operative control including,

1. a fluid conduit coupled with said motor for delivering thereto a flow of fluid under given pressures,

2. an operative selector valve associated with said fluid conduit for reversing the directions of the flow of fluid as it is delivered to said motor, and

3. a fluid supply line for delivering fluid under pressure to said selector valve;

B. means including an on-off valve interposed in said pressure line; and

C. means including a radially extended arm associated with said rotatable shaft for actuating said onoff valve when said shaft has been rotated through a predetermined angle of rotation.

6. A machine for sealing cartons having extended flaps comprising:

A. means for moving said cartons through said machine;

B. means for engaging and folding said flaps from an initial position to an adhesive receiving position preparatory to an application of adhesive thereto;

C. adjustably supported guide means for maintaining said flaps in said adhesive receiving position during movement thereof through the machine including pairs of elongated guide elements maintained in a speed relationship for receiving said flaps therebetween;

D. means for applying adhesive to said flaps while the flaps are maintained in said adhesive receiving position including a plurality of wicks supported adjacent to said guide elements, a plurality of solenoidoperated adhesive heads associated with said wicks, and means for urging said adhesive heads into engagement with said wicks; and

E. means for folding said flaps to carton-closing positions for thus sealing said cartons.

7. An apparatus for applying adhesive to pivotally supported flaps extended from the vertical walls of cartons and adapted to be pivotally displaced to cartonclosing positions comprising:

A. positioning means supported for positional adjustment in vertical and horizontal directions for positioning the flaps at an angle greater than 90 and less than l80 with respect to the carton-closing positions thereof including,

1. a bearing-supported shaft having formed thereon a pair of mutually spaced segments of opposed helical threads,

2. a pair of internally threaded, axially spaced nuts supported by said shaft and independently received in a paired relation with the segments of said pair of segments of helical threads,

3. flap guide elements mounted on said nuts for maintaining said flaps at said angle, and

4. means for imparting rotation to said shaft while the nuts are supported against rotation, including a selectively operable fluid-driven motor, a power train extending between said motor and said shaft, and motor control means connected with the motor for imposing thereon operative control, said control means being characterized by a fluid conduit connected with said motor for delivering thereto a flow of fluid under pressure. operative selector valve means connected with said circuit for reversing the directions of the l. a vertically oriented shaft,

-2. a rack-and-pinion coupling connected with said shaft for imparting axial reciprocation thereto, 3. drive means including a driven shaft and a worm Sure and means including f y 5 gear coupling for integrating said shaft with said tended from said shaft for actuating said on-off rack and pinion Coupling and a crank handle valve when said shaft has been rotated by said idly affixgd said Shaft, whereby a manuany thmugh a prcdetcrmmed mglc tiated rotation of said shaft is accommodated, P 4. a disk affixed to said shaft in a concentric relamciudmg a phimmy e.xtrusmn heads m tionship therewith having a plurality of radially leach q a pluiumy 0f opemngs adapted w extending slots terminating in the peripheral porissue adhesive in a fluid state and to apply the adheti n ther of and sives to selected surfaces of said flaps as the flaps 0 I t t H t d are maintained at said angle by said flap guide elemeans u mg ongue PM) y Suppor mems H above said shaft, adyacent the periphery of said disk, configured to be received within each of said slots for selectively impeding rotation of the disk; and

B. means including a plurality of extrusion heads,

each including a plurality of openings adapted to 8. An apparatus for applying adhesive to pivotally supported flaps extended from the vertical walls of cartons and adapted to be pivotally displaced to cartonclosing positions comprising:

A positioning means supported for positional adjust- 2o ment in vertical and horizontal directions for positioning said flaps at an angle greater than 90 and less than 180 with respect to the carton-closing positions thereof including issue adhesive in a fluid state and to apply the adhesive to selected surfaces of said flaps as the flaps are maintained at said angle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying adhesive to pivotally supported flaps extended upwardly from the vertical walls of cartons and adapted to be displaced to carton-closing positions comprising: A. positioning means for positioning said flaps at an angle greater than 90* and less than 180* with respect to said carton-closing positions including flap guide means comprising elongated spaced apart guide elements for receiving said flaps therebetween mounted for vertical and horizontal adjustment relative to said apparatus for accommodating cartons of various widths and heights; B. means including a plurality of extrusion heads, each including a plurality of openings adapted to issue adhesive in a fluid state and to apply said adhesive to selected surfaces of one of said flaps as the flap is maintained at said angle; C. means including a plurality of moisture transmitting pads, each being associated with one head of said plurality of heads; D. a plurality of water containers operatively associated with said pads adapted to deliver moisture to said pads; and E. means resiliently urging said plurality of heads into engagement with said plurality of pads for inhIbiting the drying of adhesive within the openings of the heads.

2. A machine for sealing rectangular cartons having pivotal flaps comprising: A. means for moving said cartons through the machine along a predetermined path including a flight bar disposed transversely to the path; B. means for folding said flaps to a predetermined angle with respect to a carton-closing position thereof; C. support means for maintaining said flaps at said angle during movement of the carton through the machine; D. said support means including pairs of elongated parallel guide elements for receiving said flaps therebetween disposed parallel to the path of movement of said carton, said flight bar and said guide elements cooperating to maintain the sides of said carton in a rectangular relationship; E. means for applying adhesive to said flaps while they are maintained at said predetermined angle including a plurality of adhesive applying heads, a solenoid-operated valve connected with each of said heads, and electrical circuitry controlling the valve, said circuitry including a master switch adapted to be actuated by movement of said carton through said machine, and switch means adapted to be actuated by the flight bar; and F. means for folding said flaps to carton-closing position for sealing the cartons.

2. a screw-threaded shaft supported by said bearings and having formed thereon axially spaced segments of opposed helical threads,

2. motor control means associated with said motor for imposing thereon operative control; G. a disk fixed to said drive shaft in a concentric relationship therewith having means defining a plurality of radially extending slots terminating in the peripheral portion thereof; and H. means including a tongue pivotally supported above said shaft, adjacent the periphery of said disk, and configured to be received within each of said slots for selectively impeding rotation of said wheel.

2. a rack-and-pinion coupling connected with said shaft for imparting axial reciprocation thereto,

3. a fluid supply line for delivering fluid under pressure to said selector valve; B. means including an on-off valve interposed in said pressure line; and C. means including a radially extended arm associated with said rotatable shaft for actuating said on-off valve when said shaft has been rotated through a predetermined angle of rotation.

3. drive means including a driven shaft and a worm gear coupling for integrating said shaft with said rack-and-pinion coupling and a crank handle rigidly affixed to said shaft, whereby a manually initiated rotation of said shaft is accommodated,

3. A machine for sealing cartons having side flaps including a gluing apparatus for applying adhesive to the flaps comprising: A. means adapted to move said cartons continuously through said machine including a plurality of parallel, equally spaced flight bars, and means for continuously displacing the flight bars along a path extending through the machine; B. means for folding said side flaps from a folded position to an opened position wherein said flaps are disposed at a predetermined angle greater than 90* and less than 180* with respect to the folded position as the cartons are moved through the machine; C. means defining a glue applicator including extrusion heads adapted to be actuated to issue glue in a fluid state and to apply glue to said side flaps as the cartons are moved continuously through said machine while the flaps are maintained in said opened position, a solenoid-operated valve adapted to control the issuance of glue from said heads, a first microswitch disposed in the path of said cartons adapted to be actuated by a carton as it is advanced by a first flight bar for actuating said solenoid to initiate an issuance of glue from said heads, a second microswitch disposed in the path of a second flight bar, spaced from said first flight bar, adapted to interrupt the actuation of said heads for interrupting the issuance of glue as the carton is advanced by the first flight bar, a third microswitch disposed in the path of said second flight bar adapted to be actuated by said second flight bar for causing said heads to again be actuated for issuing glue, and a fourth microswitch disposed in the path of said second flight bar adapted to be actuated by said second flight bar for interrupting the actuation of said heads for terminating the application of glue to said side side flaps; and D. means for folding said side flaps after glue has been applied thereto for thus, sealing said cartons.

4. a disk affixed to said shaft in a concentric relationship therewith having a plurality of radially extending slots terminating in the peripheral portion thereof, and

4. An apparatus for use in reorienting flap guide means in carton sealing machines comprising: A. a vertically adjustable frame; B. means including a vertically reciprocable support shaft for adjustably supporting said frame; C. means including a rack-and-pinion coupling operatively associated with said support shaft for imparting vertical reciprocation thereto; D. means including a drive shaft and a worm-and-gear coupling associated therewith for operatively integrating the drive shaft with the rack-and-pinion coupling, and means for manually imparting rotation to said shaft for imparting vertical reciprocation to said support shaft through said worm-gear and rack-and-pInion couplings; E. means for adjustably supporting said flap guides including,

4. means for imparting rotation to said shaft whereby axial displacement is imparted to said nuts as rotation is imparted to said shaft; F. means for imparting rotation to said threaded shaft comprising,

4. means for imparting rotation to said shaft while the nuts are supported against rotation, including a selectively operable fluid-driven motor, a power train extending between said motor and said shaft, and motor control means connected with the motor for imposing thereon operative control, said control means being characterized by a fluid conduit connected with said motor for delivering thereto a flow of fluid under pressure, operative selector valve means connected with said circuit for reversing the directions of the flow of the fluid as it is delivered to said motor, a fluid supply line for delivering fluid under pressure to said selector valve, means including an on-off valve interconnected with said fluid pressure line, and means including an arm radially extended from said shaft for actuating said on-off valve when said shaft has been rotated by said motor through a predetermined angle of rotation; and B. means including a plurality of extrusion heads, each including a plurality of openings adapted to issue adhesive in a fluid state and to apply the adhesives to selected surfaces of said flaps as the flaps are maintained at said angle by said flap guide elements.

5. Means for use in reorienting guide means supported on a rotatable shaft and employed in carton sealing machines employed in sealing cartons having articulated flaps comprising: A. fluid circuit means having a selectively operable, fluid-driven motor associated with a power train extending between said motor and said rotatable shaft, and control means operatively associated with said motor for imposing thereon operative control including,

5. means including a tongue pivotally supported above said shaft, adjacent the periphery of said disk, configured to be received within each of said slots for selectively impeding rotation of the disk; and B. means including a plurality of extrusion heads, each including a plurality of openings adapted to issue adhesive in a fluid state and to apply the adhesive to selected surfaces of said flaps as the flaps are maintained at said angle.

6. A machine for sealing cartons having extended flaps comprising: A. means for moving said cartons through said machine; B. means for engaging and folding said flaps from an initial position to an adhesive receiving position preparatory to an application of adhesive thereto; C. adjustably supported guide means for maintaining said flaps in said adhesive receiving position during movement thereof through the machine including pairs of elongated guide elements maintained in a speed relationship for receiving said flaps therebetween; D. means for applying adhesive to said flaps while the flaps are maintained in said adhesive receiving position including a plurality of wicks supported adjacent to said guide elements, a plurality of solenoid-operated adhesive heads associated with said wicks, and means for urging said adhesive heads into engagement with said wicks; and E. means for folding said flaps to carton-closing positions for thus sealing said cartons.

7. An apparatus for applying adhesive to pivotally supported flaps extended from the vertical walls of cartons and adapted to be pivotally displaced to carton-closing positions comprising: A. positioning means supported for positional adjustment in vertical and horizontal directions for positioning the flaps at an angle greater than 90* and less than 180* with respect to the carton-closing positions thereof including,

8. An apparatus for applying adhesive to pivotally supported flaps extended from the vertical walls of cartons and adapted to be pivotally displaced to carton-closing positions comprising: A. positioning means supported for positional adjustment in vertical and horizontal directions for positioning said flaps at an angle greater than 90* and less than 180* with respect to the carton-closing positions thereof including,