US2927411A - Carton closing machine - Google Patents

Description

March 8, 1960 c. E. KEI-'QRA CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed OCT.. 22, 1954 m .N... n m m A ,Q NWN w om o OWNl 0PM o ONT om /1oN oom o www v oom os@ OQNmN, M hsinnb! .l ll'l- N Y gs 2..' vi a OQ .ma m .l om- QTI wrm. om? o5 n vo. o@ OQN @Q 06N 00N CS n.: mv@ L: .1. n. n. nom? .Qz N0 awr aovm om Cm. o 4 mm. m Wm Tl o9 wm. o T1. wm o d0. N m Hlmfwd! NQ March 8, 1960 c. E. KERR CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 22, 1954 INVEN-roR CHARLES E KERR A'r'roRNEY March 8, 1960 c. E. KERR CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 22, 1954 N0@ Omm-lmH-H.-

NON ON .N

l: INVENToR CHARLES E.KERR

NMi/W ATTORNEY March 8, 1960 Q E, KERR 2,927,411

CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed oct. 22. 1954 s sheets-sheet 4 F\ 214 @l2-5A w ma 3? f' A95' /y Vl/A eso 7 96 ugo m W 2 I if 6 e? 1 sa ,72 J'ZGB \f 264 s/ (oo/4 Z l aad" LLL E'Il3 '7 INVENTOR CHARLES E. KERR BY #uw ATTORNEY March 8, 1960 c. E. KERR CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 22, 1954 mnu-HPF mnd..

mum-nml N HWI INVENTOR CHARLES E. KERR ATTORNEY March 8, 1960 Q E, KERR K CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 22, 1954 March 8, 1960 c. E. KERRl I 2,927,411

CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR CHARLES E. KERR BY /QVM ATTORNEY March 8, 1960 C, E, KERR 2,927,411

' CARTON 'CLOSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 g INVENr'on cHARLEs E. KERR ATTORNEY United States Patent CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Charles E. Kerr, Hoopeston, Ill., assignor to Food N [achinery and Chemical Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application October 22, 1954, Serial No. 463,926

' 19 claims. (ci. 53-376) This invention relates to apparatus for handling paper cartons, and more particularly to carton closing machines.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved carton closing machine.

Another object is to provide a carton closing machine particularly adapted for use inconnection with cartons having hinged covers and locking tabs extending from ap extensions of the covers, which tabs are adapted to seat within slits in walls of the carton to secure the covers in closing relation.

Another object is to incorporate within a carton closing machine, apparatus for folding a carton along certain previously scored fold lines to pre-break or crease the material of which the carton is made, as a step preliminary to final closing of the cover and securing the same in closed position. l

Another object is to provide means for opening the slits of a carton characterized by locking tabs insertable into slits in the carton walls to secure the cover in closed position and for guiding the approaching tabs into the slits to ensure proper seating of the tabs within the slits.

.Another object is to provide a machine adapted to receive a continuous, rapidly advancing procession of filled cartons with their covers in open, erect position, and to automatically perform on each carton the operations of preliminarily folding the cover to pre-break the material of which the carton is formed, along the fold line between the cover and the body of the carton, similarlypre-breaking the carton material along the fold lines between the cover and the ap extensions, permitting the cover to spring back away from its fully closed position until the locking tabs clear the slits in the carton walls, and thereafter pressing the cover closed and effecting insertion of the locking tabs into the slits in the carton walls.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the carton folding machine of the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective of the carton folding machine.

Figure 3 is a section taken along lines 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a section taken-along lines 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is an elevation taken along lines 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is an elevation taken along lines 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Figure 7 is a section taken along lines 7 7 of Figs. 1 and 5.

Figures 8, 9, and l0 are sectional views, taken, respectively, along lines 8 8, 9 9, and 10-10 of Fig. 1, and illustrating successive preliminary folding operations.

Figures 11 to 14, inclusive, illustrate another series of successive preliminary folding operations.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary perspective showing the front slit-opening and tab-guiding means of the machine of the invention. Y

ice

Figures 18, 19 and 2O illustrate successive steps of the' operations of folding the end ap extensions of the cover and inserting their locking tabs into the slits of the carton end walls.

Figure 2l is a perspective of a typical carton of the type upon which the closing machine of the invention is designed to operate.

Figure 22 is a perspective of a modified form of the carton closing machine of the invention.

Figure 23 is a fragmentary plan of the carton closing machine of Fig. 22.

Figures 24, 25 and 26 illustrate successive operative positions of the slit opening and tab inserting means of the machine of Figs. 22 and 23.

A -carton C typical of those adapted to be closed by the machine of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 21 and comprises a body 26 having a bottom 28, two opposed side walls 30, a back wall 32, and a front wall 34. A cover 36 is hinged to the back wall 32 along a scored fold line 38. The cover 36 is extended at each side to provide two opposed side flaps 40 hinged to the cover 36 along scored fold lines 42. The front of the cover 36 is also extended to provide a front liap 44 hinged to the cover 36 along a scored fold line 46. Each of the side flaps 40 has a tab 48 extending beyond its distal edge and receivable within a slit 51B in the associated side Wall 30 of the carton body when the cover 36 is closed; and the front ap 44is provided with a locking tab S2 extending from its distal edge and receivable Withinl a slit S4 in the cartons front lwall 34 when the cover 36 is closed. Each of the-slits 50 is of substantially U-shaped configuration definingv a tongue 56 severed from the associated side wall 30 throughout its entire periphery except at its upper end, so--that the tongue may readily be flexed inward to open the slit 50 for the reception of the associated tab 48. For the same purpose the slit 54 is of inverted T-shaped configuration, defining two opposed corners 58 capable of being readily flexed inward to facilitate reception of the tab 52 within the slit 54.

In general, lthe carton folding machine of the present invention (Fig. 1) comprises a conveyor for receiving a continuous procession of filled carto-ns C having open, erect covers o'and for advancing the cartons C uninterruptedly in a continuous flow to and through a preliminary folding station P where the cover 36 of each carton C is folded to, or almost to, closing position to pre-break, or crease the carton material at the fold, line 38 along which the, cover 36 is hinged to the body 26. While the cover 36 is thus at or adjacent its closed position, the side iiaps 40 and the front flap 44 are folded downward to crease the fol- dlines 42 and 46. As the carton C moves beyond the preliminary folding station P, 'its cover 36 springs back. away from its closed position, far enough for the ends of the locking tabs 48 and 52 to clear the slits 50 and 54. The carton then enters a final closing station F, where, without interrupting the advance of the carton, a plate 206 descends onto the cover 36 and presses it to closed relation on the carton body 26. At the same time, fingers 260 and 234 press inward portions of the side walls 30 and front wall 34 to open the slits 50 and 54, and in so doing the fingers assume positions wherein they adapted to guide the tabs 48 and 52 into the slits 50 and 54 as the cover 36 descends. The plate and fingers then retnact, releasing the closed carton which is then delivered rto a discharge chute 278, thus completing the rapid and uninterrupted passage of the carton through the closing machine.

More specifically described, the carton closing machine of the present invention (Fig's. l-and 7) comprises a horizpntal frame -69 generally circular'in form and'rigidlyv mounted on a supporting pedestal 62 (Figs. 2 and 7). A:

rectilinear conveyor frame 64 (Figs. 3, 5 -and 6) extends l substantially tangentially from the circular frame 60.A lnturned anges 74 and 74a of the side walls 72 'of the conveyor frame support opposed guide members 76 Aand 76a, the coplanar horizontal flanges 78 and' 78a f which are arranged with their inner edges spaced apart to deiine a longitudinally extending slot 80 therebetween. Upstanding parallel flanges 82 and 82a of the guide members 76 and 76a define 'a rectilinear guideway 84 of only slightly greater width than the length, i.e., the front-tohack dimension, of one of the cartons C which are supplied to the guideway 84 in a continuous procession vfrom any suitable source of supply (e.g. from a carton filling machine). Each carton C is received on the guideway 84 with its cover 36 extending substantially verticallyvup- Ward from the back wall 32, and with the flaps 40 and 44 substantially in planar alignment with the cover. Moreover, each carton C is placed on the guideway 84 with its back wall .52 facing the outer ange 82a, the plane of which is at a greater distance from the 'center of the circular frame 60 than the plane of the inner flange 82.

The cartons are advanced sideways along the guideway 84 by a conveyor chain 90 (Fig. 1) trained around spaced sprockets 92 (Fig. 7) one of which is rigidly lmounted on a shaft 94 journalled in a bearing 96 formed in a bracket 97 which is mounted on the circular frame 60. Spaced flights 98 carried by the chain 90 are adapted to extend upward through the slot 80 into position to engage cartons C on the guideway 84 and to advance the cartons C therealong. The conveyor 90 is driven by a sprocket 100 (Figs. 1 and 5) rigid with an extension of the shaft 94 and connected by a roller chain 102 with a driving sprocket 10411 (Fig. mounted on a shaft 104 rotatably supported from the circular frame 60 and adapted to be rotated at suitable speed by gearing 106.

The preliminary folding station P is arranged in cooperative association with the rectilinear guideway 84 and comprises an inwardly and downwardly curved camming rod 110 (Figs. l, 5, 8, 9 and l0) sloping inward from a point above the outer guideway flange 82a,

at an elevation slightly less than that of the upper edge` of an erect cover 36 of a carton C (Fig. 8). The rod 110V slopes inward and then downward to dispose its lower end 112 at such elevation that as a carton C is advanced under the rod 110, the rod folds the cover 36 downward about'the fold line 38 until the cover 36 is substantially in closing relation on the carton body 26 (Fig. 9).

A cylindrical Hap-folding drum 116 (Figs. 1, 3, 4, and -14, inclusive) is disposed above the guideway 84 in position for each carton C to pass thereunder with its cover 36making tangential contact therewith immediately after leaving the camming rod 110. The drum 116 is carried by a shaft 118 which is journalled in brackets 120 upstanding from the conveyor frame 64 (Figs. 3, 5, and 6) and is rotated so that its circumference moves at a linear speed corresponding to that of the conveyor chain 84 and with the lower side of the drum moving in the same direction as the adjacent, upper run of the conveyor chain 90. This is accomplished by means of a sprocket 122 (Fig.' 5) rigid with the shaft 118 and engaged with the lower run 124 of the driving chain 102 which is looped upward and around the sprockets 122 so as to rotate the same in the direction opposite that in which the sprocket 100 turns. The upper run 126 of the chain 102 is looped upwardv and around an idler sprocket 128 which is journalled upon a bracket extension 129 and which supports the sprocket 128 in such apposition that the upper and lower runs 124 and 126 are held clear of each other.

The drum 116 corresponds in length to the length of aA carton C, and is provided with flanges 130 and-130a (Fig. 10) at its ends, above the guideway anges 82 and 82a, respectively. The anges 130 and 130a extend radially beyond the circumference of the drumv 1.16, so that when a carton C passes under the drum 116, the flanges 130a engages the back wall 32 of the carton, ,and the flange 130 engages the Vfront ap 44. As clearly shown in Figs. 3 and l0, the inner faces of the flanges 130 and 130:2 are marginally rounded as indicated at 131. When the ap 44 engages the flange 130, 'the rounded surface 131 thereof functions as a cam surface that gradually bends the lap 44 downward as the Vcarton is pushed between the two anges 130 and 130:1. In this manner, the material of the carton is creased, or prebroken along the fold line 46 at which the flap 44 is joined to the cover 3o, with the result that the flap 44 will remain in an angular position with relation to the cover 36 after the carton has passed beyond the drumll.

The drum 116 isV provided with two cleatsl 13.?. and 134 (Figs. 1l to `14) extending longitudinally df the drum and, consequently, transversally with respect to the path of 4carton C. The cleats 132 and 134`are of quarter-round cross sectional form and are mounted on the `drum with one flat side 136 embedded slightly in the circurnferentialsurface of tthe drum and the other flat side 138 extending substantially radially therefrom. The cleats 132 and 134 are spaced apart aboutthe circumfereuce of the drum by a distance corresponding to the width of a carton C, with the round sides'y 140 facing each other. Thed rum 116 is rotated by the drive chain 102 (Fig. 5) in timed relation to the conveyor chain 90 (Fig. l) toeiect engagement of the leading side flap 40 of the cover of the carton with the round surface 140 of the cleat 132 (Fig. 12) and engagement of the trailing sideilap 40 of the cover of the carton with the round surfacey of the cleat 134 (Figs. 13 and 14). 1

The Vleading cleat 132 *isV provided with an arcuate flange 142 extending forwardfrom the cleat. rlhe function of the flange is to engage the leading tlap 40ct the cover (Fig. 11) in a line of contact in advance of the line'where the cleat 132 would initially engage the ap 40 were the ange 142'not present. Consequently, the flange 142 compensates for bulging of' the leading side wall of the carton which frequently is caused by the contents of the carton. Suchbulging o f the leading side wall 30' might place the upper edge of the leading side wall 30 directly under the cleat 132, and thus, in the absence of the ange 142, beconducive to crushing the wall 30. But the flange .142 eliminates this hazard, by contacting the leading flap 40 in advance of the point Where the ap is supported by a bulging wall '30, with the result that as the flap is forced downward yby the flange`142, the bulging wall'30 is straightened suiciently to permit uniformbending ofthe vllap40 along its hinge line 42. Initial bending of the ap is quickly followed by engagement of the flap by the round face 140 (Fig.`4) of the cleat 132, which occurs in a line -which advances toward the hinge line 42 of the ap as the bending of the flap progresses, until the line of con- Y tact is closely adjacent the hinge line, VVand the flap is bent so sharply around the upper edge of the associated side wall 30 that the carton material is pre-broken along the hinge line, causing the tlap 40 Vto remain in an angular position with relation to the cover 36 afterrthc flap passes beyond the range of operation of the cleat 132. l j v In its engagement Vwith the trailing side ap 40 of the carton cover, the cleat 134 (Fig. 13), does not require an extension such as that provided-on the cleat 132. 'Since initial engagement between the cleat 134 and the trailing end-flap 40 'occurs ina line spacedbehlnd the plane of the trailing end wall 30, and the rounded surface'140 makes rollingcontact with the lllap 40 in a line which Vapproaches the Iiinge line 42, a moderate amount of bulging of the side wall 30 is satisfactorily overcome. This action is completed while the kcarton travels through a shorter distance than that needed Yfor folding the leading ap.

A bracket 146 (Figs. 1, 5, and 6) extending upwardv from the inner side wall 72 of the conveyor frame 64, rotatably supports a roller y148 above the guideway 84 closely adjacent the discharge side of the drum 116. Its function is to prevent cartons from being lifted olf the guideway 84 by the flanges '130 and 130a between which each carton is compressed slightly as the carton passes out of the operative range of the drum 116. A bracket 150 (Figs. 2, 5, and 6) extends rigidly upward from the outer side wall 72 of the conveyor frame 64 and is formed with a horizontal flange 152 overlying the outer side of the guideway in position to limit the distance that the cover 36 of each carton springs upward upon release from the roller 148. It is important to observe, however, that the ange 152 is atr suliicient elevation to permit each cover 36 to spring upward far enough for the lower ends of the angularly downwardly extending locking tabs 48 and 52 to clear the slits 50 and 54, respectively.

The final folding station F comprises a rotary table 160 (Figs. l, 2, 5, 6, and 7) of substantially circular form, arranged above the frame `60, and rotatably mounted by bushings 161 and a thrust bearing 162 on an upward extension 164 of the pedestal62 (Fig. 7)..

The thrust bearing 162 supports the table 160 upon a shoulder 166 of the pedestal 62 so as to maintain the table 160 in horizontal alignment with the ianges 78 and 78a of the guideway 84. The parts are so arranged that the peripheral edge 168 of the table 160 intersects the ange 78 and extends to a position of substantial taugency with the conveyor chain 90 which is outwardly offset from the longitudinal center line of the guideway 84. Consequently, the cartons C are delivered onto the n table 160 in a position of stable equilibrium, wherein more than one-half of the carton rests upon the table 160 while less than half the carton overhangs the peripheral edge of the table.

A ring gear 170 (Figs. 2, 5, 6, and 7) is affixed by a plurality of cap screws 172 to the lower side of the table 160 in axial alignment therewith. A spur gear 174 (Figs. 1 and 6) meshing with the ring gear 170, is

rigid with a Vertical shaft I176 which is journalled in suitable bearings 178 (Fig. 6) carried by the frame 60, and the shaft 176 is connected to the aforesaid shaft 104 to be rotated thereby, by bevel gears 180 (Fig. l). The shaft 104 is connected by another set of bevel gears 182 to a drive shaft 184, driven by any suitable source of power (not shown). Since the shaft 104 constitutes the drive for the conveyor chain 90, the conveyor chain 90 and the rotary table are synchronized with respect to each other, and the gears 170, 174, and 180 are appropriately proportioned to effect rotation of the table 160 at such a rate that one of four individual coverclosing and tab-inserting stations 190 (Figs.l l, 2, 5, 6 and 7) carried by the table 160, is presented to the delivery end of the guideway 84 each time one of the flights 98 of the conveyor chain pushes a carton C onto the table 160. l

Carried by a head 192 (Fig. 7) and the table 160 are four cover-closing and tab-inserting stations 190. The head 192 comprises a hub 194 supported on and rigidly afi'ixed by bolts 195 to the hub 196 of the table 160, and four spokes, or arms 198 extend radially from the hub 194, ninety degrees apart. Each arm 198 is provided at its outer end with vertically aligned bearings 2.00 within which the rod 202 of a plunger 204 is mounted for vertical reciprocation. The rod 202 is of non-circular cross section, and the bearings 200 are fitted to the rod, with the result that the plunger 204 is prevented from rotary motion with respect to the bearings. The lower end of the rod 202 is provided with a horizontal presser plate 206, and the upper end of the rod 202carries a cam follower roller 208. A spring 210 constantly urges the plunger 204 upward and thereby presses the roller 208 against a cam surface 212 (Figs. 1,2, 5, 6 and 7) on the underside of a circular plate 21'4 rigidly aflixed to the extension 164 of the stationary pedestal 62 by a clamping dowel pin 216 (Fig. 7). The cam 212 includes a downwardly projecting lobe 218 (Pigs. 2, 5, and 6) so positioned and so proportioned that after each coverfolding and tab-inserting station 190 arrives in position for the guideway 84 to discharge a carton C ontothe table and into the station 190, the plunger 204 of the station 190 is pushed downward by the cooperating lobe 218 and follower roller 208, until the plate 206 is spaced from the table by a distance `coinciding with the height of the carton C.

As already stated, the function of the horizontal flange 152 (Figs. l, 2 and 6) is to limit the height to which the cover 36 of each carton C can spring back after its hinge line 38 has been creased; vand the ange 152 is disposed so closely adjacent the area where the cartons C pass from the conveyor guideway 84 onto the rotating table 160 that the trailing end of a carton does not pass out from under the ange 152 until at least the leading end of the carton is underneath the presser plate 206 of the station into which Vthe carton is being delivered. Hence, the flange 152.guides each partly closed cover 36 to the position indicated at 36a in Figs. 7 and 16, wherein the presser plate is directly above the hinge line 46 between the cover 36 and the front flap 44. Therefore, the downward thrust of the plunger 204 induced by the cam lobe 218 pushes the cover 36 to its fully closed position on the carton body 26, as illustrated in Fig. 17.

Each of the stations 190 is provided with a vertical guide plate 230 (Fig. l5) rigidly supported from the table 160 by angle brackets 232 (Figs. 7, 15, 16, and 17) in a position opposite and spaced radially, inward from the front wall 34 of a carton C in the associated station 190. The guide plate 230 is provided with an intermediate downwardly and `outwardly inclined finger 234, and two similarly inclined lingers 236 spaced laterally from the intermediate finger 234 at either side thereof..

A guide strap 240 of semi-circular form (Fig; l) is arranged substantially concentrically with respect to the table 160, and is adjustably supported in position outwardly spaced therefrom and extending above the plane thereof, by brackets 97 and 242 (Figs. 2, 5, 6, and 7) rigid with and extending upward from the frame 60. The lstrap 240 is so arranged that as a carton C is carried in a circular path by the table 160, the strap 240 engages the back wall 32 of the carton and resists any tendency for the carton C to move radially outward. Therefore, as a guide plate 230 approaches the point of tangency between its circular path with the rectilinear path of the front wall 34 of a carton about to be deposited in a station 190, the lower ends of the fingers 234 and 236 are caused to press firmly against the front wall 34 of the carton.

As clearly shown in Figs. 1'5, 16, and 17, the intermediate finger 234 protrudes further from the plane of the plate 230 than do the fingers 236, and its lower end is at an elevation slightly above that of the slit 54 in the front wall 34 of the carton. Therefore, while the two fingers 236 engage the carton at either side the slit 54 and thereby hold the carton with both rear corners in sliding engagement with the guide strap 240, the lower end of the intermediate finger 234 presses inward the portion of the front wall 34 immediately above the slit 54, as illustrated in Fig. 16. VThis not only opens the slit 54, preparing it for subsequent entry of the front locking tab 52 thereinto, but also disposes the linger 234 in a position sloping upward from within the carton, just inside the slit, to a higher point infront of the carton, The sloping finger 234 when so disposed lies in 7 the path of the tab 52 as the tab, is being carried downward by the descending fcover 36; with the result that as the cover nears its fully: closed-position, the linger 234 intercepts the tab' 52 and guides' it into and through the slit 54, as illustrated in Fig. 17.

Each of the cover-closing and tab-inserting stations 190 includes means for opening the slits 50 in the side walls 30 of a carton substantially simultaneously with the above described operation of the ,finger 234. VVA crosshead 250 (Figs. 2, 5, 6, 18, 19 and 20') is provided at the outer end of each arm 198, preferably integral therewith. Bearings 252 (Figs. 1, 2, 16, and 17) at the outer ends of each crosshead 250 rotatably support parallel horizontal shafts 254, to the inner end of each of-which a pinion gear 256 (Figs. 2, 18, 1,9, and 20) is secured. A vertically extending rack 258 engages each pinion gear 256, at the side thereof nearer 'the associated arm 198, so that upon upward motion of the racks 258, theshafts 254 are rotated iny sucha manner that fingers 260 secured to the outer ends of the shafts 254, are turned from a retracted, diverging position (Fig. 18) to a contracted arrangement wherein each finger 260 extends substantially vertically downward (Fig. 20). Each of the racks 258 is rigidly secured to the upper end of a vertical push rod 261 which is reciprocable within and extends through a vertical bearing 262 (Figs. 7, 16 and V1,7) in the table 160. The lower end of each pushrod 261 is provided with a follower roller 263 in operative engagement with a cam `surface 264 on the frame 60, as best shown in Figs. and 6.v A high `lobe 265 of the cam 264 is solpositioned that it moves the push rods 2 61 of each . station 19,0 upward immediately after a carton C is received upon the table 160 belowthe-associated plunger 204. The lobe 265 is so related to thelobe218 of the cam 212 that the fingers 260 assume their vertical positions (Fig. 20)- in engagement with the side walls of a carton, before the cover 36 is lowered beyondthe point at which the side tabs 48 reach the `elevation of `the slits 50 in the walls 30 of the carton.

The distal end 266 vof each linger 260 is of arcuate form, and Slopes downward and inward toward a carton C engaged between two of the fingers 265). Moreover, the end 266 of'each finger 260 is tapered to a relatively thin edge 268, and the fingers 260 are of such length that the end edges 26S of the fingers n260 engage theA portions of the sidewalls immediately above the slits 50 and press Ythese portions inward, openingthel slits 50 and preparingrthe same for reception of the nside locking tabs 48. When the fingers 260 arrive at their final, `contracted position (Figs. 19 and 20), theends266 ofthe fingersoccupy positions wherein they slope upward from inside .the carton, just inside the slits 50, colocations at higher elevations outside the carton. Accordingly, the arcuate ends 266 lie in the paths of the downwardly approaching tabs 48, and are thus adapted to intercept the tabs 48 and guide them into the slits.

`The high lobe 265 is of such length, measured circumferentially of the cam 264, that shortly after arrival of a cover-closing plunger 204 -in its lowest position, the associated rollers`263 pass off the high lobe, permitting the push rods 261 to move to lower positions andthe fingers 260 to retract to their raised, expanded positionstFig. 18). Such motion of the rollers 263 and lingers 260 is induced by a coil spring 270 under tension between exten: sions 272 of the fingers 260. This withdrawsthe end edges 268 of the fingers from engagement with the carton, permitting the sidewalls 30 to spring back toward their original flat configuration, and causing the .tabs 48 to be gripped between the edges of the slits 50, and thereby securing the cover 36 closed.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the gudefstrip 240 terminates in a portion 276 which is deflected outward, away from the table 160, and over a discharge chute 278. A cooperating, guide lstrip 280 is mounted on the chute 278 and curves inward over the table 160 in position to intercept eaclicarton C after completion of' the operation of closing the same, and to guide the closed carton onto the' disj charge chute 278. In this manner, each carton is pulled away fromV the associatedfguideplate 230, removing the finger 234 from the slit 54, and :thereby permitting the front wall 34 to spring back toward its original, at configuration. This causes the edges of the slit 54 to g'rip the tab 52, and thus cooperate with the tabs 48 and slits 50 in securing the cover closed.

It is believed that the manner in which each carton C is closed and its cover 36 secured, is readily understandable from the hereinabove description, throughout which the operation of each group of parts has been explained in conjunction with the description of their construction. It might be well at this point, however, to emphasize that in practical operation of the carton closing machine of the invention, lled open cartons are supplied to the machine in a rapidlymoving, continuous procession, and the cartons pass in closely spaced relation and at sustained high speed along the rectilinear conveyor guideway 84, Vand through the preliminary folding station P, where the camming rod bends the covers 36 down to, or nearly to, their closed position, and where the drum 116 bends first the front fiap 44, and then the side flaps 40, down to, or nearly to, the positions which they ultimately will occupi/.when the closing operation is completed. As the cartons pass from the preliminary folding station P into the final folding station F, the covers 36 spring upwardslightly, since the carton material, although pre-broken along the fold lines 38, 42, and 46, retainssufiicient Iinherent resiliency to return the covers 36 and the` aps 40 and 44 partially to their starting positions. This disposes the tabs 48 and S2 at a higher elevation than the slits 50 and 54, in proper position for subsequent guided movement into the slits. w

Without interruption of their rapid rate of advance, the cartons pass successively onto the rotating table 160, where each carton, with its cover 36 in an inclined position, is accurately located in one of the individual folding stations 190 by an indexing stop 286 (Figs. 2, 7, 18, and 19) on the table 160. While the carton is carried in an arcuate path on the table 160, the finger 234 enters and opens the slit 54 in the front wall. of the carton, and the fingers 260 turn downward and inward, inserting their end eges 268 into the side wall slits 50 and thereby opening the same. The cover 36 is then pressed closed by the descending plunger 204, and as this occurs,y the tabs 48 and 52 are guided into the slits 50 and 54, by the fingers, 260 and 234, respectively. The fingers 260 then retract, and briefly thereafter, the advancing carton engages the guide stripl 280, which pulls the vcarton away from the linger 234 and defiects the completely closed and secured carton onto the chute 278, which may convey the rapid succession of cartons thus delivered to it, to any suitable point of discharge.

Figs. 22 to 26, inclusive,illustrate a modified form of carton closing machine embodying the present invention. In this embodiment, all operating parts are constructed similarly to and operate in substantially the same manner as in the first described form of the machine, with the exception of the mechanism for opening the slits 50 in the side walls 30 (Figs. 25 and 26) of the carton C, and for guiding the side tabs 48 into the open slits.

In the modified form of the apparatus, the arms -198 (Fig. 22) which radiate from the hub 194 of the head 192 provide support for only the cover-closing plungers 204 which are actuated by an overhead cam 212' in the same manner as are the plungers 204 of the first described form of the machine. As illustrated in Figs. 22 land 23, however, the side embracing members comprise arms 36), a pair of which is provided for eachof the four coverclosing and tab-inserting stationsk 190. Each of the arms 300 is provided with a split hub 302 and clamping l screw 304 `whereby the arm Vis secured to the upper end of a vertical )shaft 306 journalled in yand extending through 9A the rotary table 160 whereby the cartons C are transported in an arcuate path, one under each of the plungers 204 as in the rst described form'of the invention. A

lever 308 is affixed to the lower end of each shaft 3061 and each lever 308 carries a 'cam following roller 310 (Fig. 23). All of the rollers 310 are engaged within an endless camming groove 312 in the upper surface of the frame 60 above which the table 160 rotates.

The groove 312 includes a portion 314 (Fig. 23) at relatively great radial distance from the Vertical axis of rotation of the table 160', and a portion 316 at lesser radial distance from the said vertical axis, the two portions 314 and 316 of the groove being interconnected by appropriately configured portions 31S so that the camming groove 312 is endless. The portion 314 of the camming groove 312 is so spaced from the axis of the rotation of table 160 that when the camming rollers 310 associated with one of the pairs of arms 300 are disposed in the portion 314, the arms are spread apart as indicated at the right hand side of Fig. 23. The radial spacing of the portion 316 of the groove 312 from the axis of the tables rotation, however, is such that when the rollers 310 associated with one of the pairs of arms 300 are disposed in the portion 316, the arms are disposed in a contracted position wherein they extend parallel to each other as shown at the left hand side of Fig. 23. The spacing between the arms 300 of each pair is such that when the arms are in their said contacted, parallel position, bosses 320 on the inner facesy of the arms 300 are adapted to engage the two side walls 30 of a carton C with just sufficient force to center the carton between the arms 300 and under the associated plunger 204 without any appreciable distortion of the carton. v

Atthe outer end of each arm 300, a nger'322 is provided at a slightly higher elevation than the associated boss 320 and protruding inward a slightly greater disatnce from the arm 300 than does the boss 320, as best shown in Fig. 26. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that when the arms 300 occupy positions wherein they embrace a carton C, the lingers 322 engage the portions of the carton side walls 30 immediately abovel the slits 50 therein andpress these portions inward to open the slits 50 as. indicated in Fig. 25. The upper ksurface 324 of each linger 322 is of arcuate form and slopes upward and outward so that it merges gradually with the vertical inner face 326.

At the time that a carton C is deposited on the rotating table 60 beneath one of the plungers 204, the arms 300 associated with that plunger 204' are in their retracted, separated position which permits entry of the carton between the arms without interference. Immediately after such disposition of the carton between the arms 300, the cam follower rollers 310 associated with these arms enter the portion 312 of the camming groove causing the shafts 306 to turn and the arms 300 to move to their retracted position. This effectually centers the carton C below the plunger 204' and in relation to the finger 234' of guide plate 230 because of the engagement of the bosses 320 with the side walls 30 of the carton. At the same time, the fingers 322 open the slits 50 as hereinabove described and assume positions wherein their arcuate upper surfaces 324 slope upward and -outward from within the carton C just inside the opened slits 50 and to a location of higher elevation outside the carton. Consequently, the sloping upper surfaces 324 dicularly with respect thereto, said closing machine comlie in the path of the side liaps48 as they are carried downward by the cover 36 as the cover is moved to its closed position. It is readily apparent therefore that the arms 320 and their lingers 322 having upwardly and outwardly inclined upper surfaces 324 operate to guide the descending tabs 48 into and through the open slits 50 in the same manner as do the fingers 260 of the iirst described form of the invention.

'While I have illustrated'and described a particular embodiment and a modiiication of the present invention,

prising means for advancing the carton in a predetermined path, means mounted adjacent said path for fold! ing the cover to closing position on the body, means cooperatively associated with said folding means for opening the slit and vfor guiding the locking tab into the opened slit including a plate disposed in opposed relation to the slitted wall and having a linger sloping downward and toward the slotted panel, and means for deflecting the carton from said path to thrust the carton against the finger, said inger being disposed in an'oblique position sloping upward and away from the carton in the path of the tab on the closing cover, the lower end of the linger being in alignment with a portion of the slitted wall above the slit whereby the lower end of the finger opens the slit and the linger guides the tab into the slit as the cover closes.

2. Flap folding apparatus for a carton having side walls, ajcover on the body, and ya ap hinged to the side of the cover along a fold line adjacent the upper edge of one'of the side walls, s aid apparatus comprising a rotatably mounted drum, means for moving the carton sidewayspast the drum with the flap leading, a transverse cleat on the drum, means Vfor rotating the drum in timed relation with the carton advancing means, carton locating means on the advancing means for registering the iiap with said cleat and thereby effecting engagement of the flap by the cleat ata predetermined distance from the hinge line of the flap,` and an extension carried by the cleat and engageable with the iiap in advance of the cleat and at a greater distance fromthe hinge line to initiate folding of the iiapprior to engagement of the cleat with the flap. l

3. In a carton handling apparatus, a conveying mechanism comprising a straight line conveyor including a rectilinear guide track and means for propelling a carton longitudinally thereof, and a rotatably mounted tab-le in planar alignment with the discharge end of said guide track and arranged with its peripheral edge intersecting said track through more Vthan half but less than all of the tracks transverse extent whereby a carton delivered onto the table from the track is disposed in stable equilibrium on the table but with one edge of the carton overhanging the edge of the table, said 'propelling means being oiiset outwardly of the peripheral edge of said table and extending to a position whereina radius of the table is perpendicular to the propelling means.

4. In carton handling apparatus, a conveyor mech anism comprising a guide track, a rotatably mounted table in position to receive cartons from said guide track, the peripheral edge of the table intersecting the track through more than half but. less than all of the transverse extent of the track whereby a carton delivered ontothey table from the track is dispo-sed in stable equilibrium on the table but with part of the carton protruding beyond the edge of the table, a drive chain movable longitudinally of the guide track and extending to a position of tangency with the table, and a carton engaging lug carried by said chain.

5. In carton handling apparatus, a conveyor mechanism comprising a guide track, a rotatably mounted table in position to receive cartons from said guide track, the peripheral edge of the table intersecting one side edge ofthe track and extending to a position between the longitudinalcenter line and the opposite side edge ofthe track whereby the table is adapted to` receive a carton from the track with more than half the carton inward of the peripheral edge of the table and with less than half.' of the carton overhangingtheedge` of theY table, a'v guide chain movable longitudinallyof the track, and a carton engaging lug carried by the chain, said chain being offset from the longitudinal center line of the track to dispose said lug in position to engage said overhanging portion of the carton. l

6. In a machine for closing a carton includinga body anda substantially horizontally extending ilap disposed substantially in planar alignment with the uppermost portion of the body, apparatus for folding the flap downward comprising a rotatably mounted drum, means for advancing the carton past the drum substantially in tangential relation therewith, means connecting the drum to the advancing means for rotationin timed relation therewith, and a transverse cleat projecting fro-m the circumference of the drum in a position clearing the body of the carton and in opposed relation to the flap whereby the cleat engages the ap and folds the same downward relatively to the carton as the carton advances past the drum, the surface of the cleat engageable with the liap being rounded andmaking rolling contact with the iiap in a line Vthat progresses toward the body of the carton. Y

7. A machine for closing a cartonhaving a body including a slitted` wall, a cover hinged thereto, a flap hingedto the cover, and a locking tab extending from the flap, said closing machine comprising aA table mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane, meansV for rotatingthe table, means for placing onto the tablea carton with its cover in an open position and its flap and locking tab extending substantially perpendicularly fromthe cover, a tab guide mounted on the table for rotation therewith in alignment with the slit in the slitted wall of the carton, means for effecting relativekmotion between the carton and the tab guide to press the guide against theslitted l wall above the slit to open the slit and enter the guide into the slit, and means mounted on the table for rotation therewith for folding the cover to closed position and thereby sliding the tab along the guide and into the opened slit. Y e n 8. A machine for closing a carton havingva body including a slitted wall, a cover hinged thereto, a flap hinged to the cover, and a locking tab extending from the flap, said closing machine comprising a table mountedfor rotation in a horizontal plane, means for rotating the table, means for placing onto the table a carton with its cover inan open position and its flap and locking tab extending substantially perpendicularly from the cover, slit opening-means supported by the table for rotation therewith and for movement relative thereto from a carton releasing position to a carton engaging position, means operative synchronously with rotationl of the table to v press the slit-opening means against the slitted wall above the slit to open the slit and enter the slit-opening means into the slit, and means mounted on the table for rotation therewith for folding the cover to closed position and sliding the tab into' the opened slit.

9. A machine for closing a carton having a body including a rear wall and a slitted side wall, a cover hinged to the rear wall and a locking tab connected to the cover, said closing machine comprising conveying means constructed and arranged to advance the carton along a predetermined circular path with the cover of the carton in an open position and the locking tab extending substantially perpendicularlyr from the cover, an arm pvotally mounted on the conveying means for advancement therewith, a slit opening finger projecting from the arm in alignment with the slit in the side wall of the carton, means operative in timed relation with the conveying means to pressthe finger against the slitted wall above the slit to open the slit and enter the linger into the slit, and means mounted onthe conveying means for advancement therewith for folding the cover to closed position and thereby sliding the tab along the finger and into the opened slit.

10. A machine for closing a carton having a body including a rear wall and a slitted side wall, a cover hinged to the rear wall, and a locking tab connected to the cover, said closing machine comprising conveying means arranged to advance the carton along a predetermined circular path with the cover of the cart-on in an open position and the locking tab extending angularly from the cover, slit opening and tab guiding means supported from the conveying means for advancement with the carton and for movement relative thereto from a withdrawn position to a carton engaging position, means operating in timed relation with advancement of the carton by the conveying means to enter the slit opening and tab guiding means into the slit, and means operating while the slit opening and tab guidingl means is inserted intothe slit for folding the cover to closed position and sliding the tab along the guiding means into the slit. J f

1l. A machine for closing a carton having a body including opposed slitted walls, a cover hinged to the body, and a locking tab associated with each of the slitted walls and extending angularly from the cover, said closing machine comprising a table mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, means for rotating the table, two opposed arms, means carried by the table for rotation therewith and mounting said arms for rotary motion from a carton releasing arrangement to a carton engaging arrangement, means connected to the table for operation in timed relation therewith for placing ontothe table adjacent the arms a carton with its cover in an open position, means operative in timed relation with the table for folding the cover to closing position, rmeans operable during operation of said cover closing means for turning the arms to said carton engaging arrangement thereof, and fingers extending inward from the arms in positionto engage the slitted walls of the `cartons adjacent the slits therein to open the slits for entry of the tabsv thereinto.

12. A machine for closing a carton having a body including opposed slitted Walls, a cover hinged to the body, and a locking tab associated with each of the slitted walls and extending angularly from the cover, said closing machine comprising a table mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, means for rotating the table, two opposed arms mounted above the table for rotation therewith and for motion relative thereto from a carton releasing ar-V rangement to a' carton engaging arrangement, means connected to the table for operation in timed relation therewith for placing onto the table adjacent the arms a carton with its cover in an open position, means operative in timed relation with the table for folding the cover to closing position, means operable during operation of said cover closing means for moving the arms to said carton engaging arrangement thereof, and lingers extending inward from the arms in position to engage the slitted walls of the cartons adjacent the slits therein to open the slits for entry of thetabs thereinto.

13. A machine for closing a carton having a body including opposed slitted Walls, a cover hinged to the body, and a locking tab associated with each of the slitted walls and extending angularly from the cover, said closing machine comprising a table mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane, means for rotating the table, two opposed arms, means carried by the table forrotation therewith and mounting said arms for rotary motion from Ia carton releasing arrangement to a carton engaging arrangement, means connected to the table for operation in timed relation therewith for placing onto the table adjacent the arms a carton with its cover in an open position, means operative in timedrelation with the table for folding the cover tol closing position, means operable during opera tion of said cover closing means for turning the arms to said carton engaging arrangement thereof, and iingersextending obliquely inward from the arms in position toV into the opened slits as the cover approaches said closing position.

14. A machine for closing cartons comprising a rotatably mounted table, rotating means therefor, stationary circular cam means mounted in axial alignment with the table, plunger means mounted for rotation with the table and for reciprocation relative to the table and yieldably urged into operative engagement with the cam means, carton closing means mounted adjacent the table for rotation therewith and connected to the plunger means for actuation thereby to effect a carton closing operation and means for placing an open carton onto the table in position to be engaged by said closing means during advancement of the carton on the rotating table.

15. A machine for closing cartons comprising a rotatably mounted table, rotating means therefor, a plurality of stationary circular cams mounted in axial alignment with the table, a plunger associated with each cam and mounted for rotation with the table and for reciprocation relative to the table and yieldably urged into operative engagement with its associated cam, carton closing means connected to each plunger to perform a carton closing operation, and means for placing an open carton onto the table in position to be engaged by said closing means during advancement of the carton by the rotating table.

16. A machine for closing cartons of the type including a body and a cover hinged to the body, said carton closing machine comprising a rotatably mounted table, rotating means therefor, a stationary circular cam mounted in axial alignment with the table, a plunger mounted for rotation with the table and for reciprocation relative to the table and yieldably urged into operative engagement with the cam, a cover closing plate carried by the plunger' and means for placing a partially closed carton onto the table in alignment with said plate.

17. A machine for closing cartons of the type including a body having a slitted wall, a cover hinged to the body and a locking tab hinged to the cover, said carton closing machine comprising a rotatably mounted table, rotating means therefor, a stationary circular cam mounted in axial alignment with the table, a plunger mounted for rotation with the table and for reciprocation relative to the table and yieldably urged into operative engagement with the cam, a rack carried by the plunger for reciprocation therewith, bearing means mounted in iixed position relative to the table for rotation therewith, a pinion gear journaled in the bearing means and enmeshed with said rack, an arm rigid with the pinion, a slit-opening linger projecting laterally from the arm, and means for placing an open carton onto the table in position for its slitted wall to be engaged adjacent the slit therein by said linger upon rotation of said pinion.

18. A machine for closing cartons of the type including a body having a slitted wall, a cover hinged to the body, and a locking tab hinged to the cover, said carton closing machine comprising a rotatably mounted table, rotating means therefor, a plurality of stationary circular cams mounted in axial alignment with the table, a plunger associated with each cam and mounted for rotation with the table and for reciprocation relative to the table and yieldably urged into operative engagement with its associated cam, a cover closing plate carried by one of said plungers, a rack connected te the other plunger for reciprocation therewith, a pinion in meshing engagement with the rack and rotatably mounted on the table for movement therewith and for rotation about its `own axis relative to the table, an arm rigid with the pinion, a slitopening and tab-guiding nger on the arm and means for placing an open carton onto the table in alignment with the cover closing plate and with the slit in its slitted Wall in alignment with said finger, said cams being arranged to etect rotation of the pinion to advance the finger into engagement with the carton prior to movement of the cover closing plate to its fullyV advanced position.

19. A machine for closing cartons of the type including a body having a slitted front wall, a back wall, a cover hinged to the back wall and a locking tab hinged to the cover, said machine comprising a rotatably mounted table, rotating means therefor, a bracket rigid with the table, a slit-opening and tab-guiding ringer supported by the bracket in position inclining downward and radially outward relatively to the table, means for placing an open carton onto the table with the slit in the slitted wall of the carton opposite said nger, means operative as the table turns for crowding the carton radially inward of the table to press the finger against the front wall of the carton adjacent and above the slit to open the slit and enter the lower end of the finger into the opened slit, a plunger mounted for rotation with the table and for reciprocation relative to the table, yieldable means urging the plunger upward, and a circular cam engaged by the plunger and mounted in xed position thereabove to effect lowering the plunger While the slitopening and tab-guiding finger is 'entered into the slit.

References Cited in' the tile Vof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,051,339 Little Aug. 18, 1936 2,282,278 Wysong May 5, 1942 2,340,835 Malhoit Feb. 1, 1944 2,441,410 Guyer et al May l1, 1948 2,577,529 Kerr et al. Dec. 4, 1951 2,584,925 Rideout Feb. 5, 1952 2,598,135 Schmied May 27, 1952 2,625,778 Wood Jan. 20, 1953 2,660,012. Boyce et al. Nov. 24, 1953

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