US3264798A

US3264798A - Packaging machine

Info

Publication number: US3264798A
Application number: US238504A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gerald R Hayes; Charles F Hayes
Original assignee: Hayes Machine Co Inc
Current assignee: Hayes Machine Co Inc
Priority date: 1962-11-19
Filing date: 1962-11-19
Publication date: 1966-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 1983-08-09

Description

g- 9, 1966 G. R. HAYES ETAL 3,264,798

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1962 9 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS GERALD R HAYES BY CHARLES E HAYES UB LLGM ATTORNEY Aug. 9, 1966 G. R. HAYES ETAL 3,264,798

' PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1962 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 INVENTORB GERALD R. HAYES y CHARLES F, HAYES QFM ATTORNEY g- 9, 1966 G. R. HAYES ETAL 3,264,798

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1962 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 qv o o O-O 1 E 1, \l m m 9 w E 111111 8 Q K L 1 r\ Q g E 3 ri1\g 5 1 INVENTOR5 GERALD. R HA YES BY CHARLES F. HA YES ATTORNEY Aug. 9, 1966 e. R. HAYES ETAL PACKAGING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 19, 1962 aKFM G. R. HAYES ETAL Aug. 9, 1966 PACKAGING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 19, 1962 INVENTORS GERALD R. HAYES y CHARLES F. HAVES QQN'Y Aug. 9, 1966 G. R. HAYES ETAL PACKAGING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 19, 1962 INVENTORS GERALD R HAYES CHARLES F. HA YES Aug. 9, 1966 G. R. HAYES ETAL PACKAGING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Nov. 19, 1962 INVENTGRS GERALD P. HAVES BY CHARLES E, HAYES Aug. 9, 1966 G. R. HAYES ETAL 3,264,798

PACKAGING MACHINE Flled Nov. 19, 1962 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORS GERALD A. HA r55 CHARL 55 F. HA v55 BY 019M ATTORNEY Aug. 9, 1966 G. R. HAYES ETAL PACKAGING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed NOV. 19, 1962 INVENTORS GERALD R. HA YEZQ CHALS F. HAY 5 QM A ORNEY United States Patent PACKAGING MACHINE Gerald R. Hayes and Charles F. Hayes, Marshall, Mich., assignors to Hayes Machine Company, Marshall, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Nov. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 238,504 26 Claims. (Cl. 53-374) The present invention relates broadly to machinery, and in its specific phases to a packaging machine.

Most packaging machines are large and complex so as to use up, especially in small factories, too much room for the work being done. Also where cartons made up from fiat tubular blanks of boxboard, with the flaps to be folded and glued, are handled on a packaging machine, such blanks are usually formed from non-waxed boxboard. Such cartons take flap sealing glue readily and the ordinary roll-on glue applicators are commonly used for that purpose. However, where the cartons are to be used for packing greasy materials, such as bacon, or a moisture proof carton is desired, it is common practice to use boxboard carton blanks covered with a wax coating, a plastic coating, or both. Such blanks do not properly receive and hold a thin layer of glue on their flaps through the use of conventional roll-on glue applicators. It was a recognition of these problems and the need of improved packaging equipment to overcome same, as well as other problems and difiiculties in the industry, which led to the conception and development of the present invention,

Accordingly among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a packaging machine which is relatively compact, simple, easy to manufacture, and positive in action.

Another object is to provide a packaging machine which may be operated on single packages, or-automatically by taking tubular carton blanks from a hopper, opening them ready for filling,then folding and sealing the flaps after the carton has been filled, and lastly delivering the filled and sealed carton ready for packing in a shipping container.

Another object is to provide a packaging machine which will properly place the carton flaps, at both ends of the carton, in position to receive sealing glue, extrude the latter in proper position on the flaps simultaneously on both ends of the carton, and then fold and seal the flaps ready for shipment of the carton.

A further object is to provide the packaging machine with means which automatically extrudes glue on the carton flaps in proper position and amount as the carton moves past the gluing station, with such glue thus being satisfactorily placeable on waxed or plastic coated carton flaps.

A further object is to provide a packaging machine which will take a flat folded tubular blank from the bottom of a stack of such blanks and open same with the flaps extending outward from both ends while carrying said blank to its starting position for filling and forwarding lengthwise of the packaging machine where its flaps are folded and sealed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine which will take a carton with flaps projecting outward from both ends and will fold and seal said flaps at each end simultaneously.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine wherein the carton forwarding means intermittently oscillates back and forth to carry the carton step by step lengthwise of the machine.

Still further objects and advantages of the present packaging machine will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means herein Patented August 9, 1966 ice after fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the annexed drawings:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a perspective view of the packaging machine of the present invention as seen from the operators side of same.

FIGURES 2A and 23 together illustrate an enlarged, longitudinal, fragmentary sectional view of the packaging machine as viewed along the line IIA-IIB of FIGURE 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view of the packaging machine as taken along the line IIIIII of FIGURE 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is a top view of the packaging machine shown in FIGURE 1, and adjusted to handle the minimum length package which can be closed and sealed by same.

FIGURES 5 and 6 together illustrate a composite, enlarged, longitudinal, partially sectioned elevational view of the packaging machine with the main portion of the carton hopper and side guard omitted, and as seen from the opposite side of the packaging machine from that shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a fragmentary, vertical, cross sectional View of the packaging machine as taken along the line VIIVII of FIGURE 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 8 illustrates an enlarged, fragmentary cross sectional view as taken along line VIII-VIII of FIGURE 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the tucking mechanism for one of the carton trailing flaps.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary top view of the end flap gluing apparatus which is illustrated in place on a smaller scale in the assembly view of FIG- URE 4.

FIGURE 11 is a schematic diagram of one of the glue applicators and certain of the controls for same.

The packaging machine 10 of the present invention, particularly as seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, in its actuation, goes through the following series of operations. The flat-folded cartons 11, which are to be packed and sealed, are held in a hopper 12. The packaging machine 10 has means at that end of the assembly which will take these cartons one at a time from the bottom of the hopper 12, open them up and hold them while the goods to be packed in same is shoved into the open end of the carton. With the carton 11 thus packed the packaging machine has an oscillating member which moves this filled carton to the right where the small tab or dust fiap on the leading end of the carton is first tucked in and then the trailing small tab or dust flap is tucked in. Then the lower main flap at'each end of the carton is turned up and glue applied simultaneously to the exposed ends of same substantially full length of the flaps. The upper flaps are then turned down over the lower flaps and onto the glued area of same following which the carton is forwarded between electrically heated members which hold the flaps tightly sealed as they slide down these members to the discharge end of the machine and during which time the flaps are thoroughly glued and fastened to each other. When the carton as thus filled, folded, and with the end flaps sealed, reaches the righthand end of the packaging machine as shown in FIGURE 1, it is ready to be placed in a shipping container. The portions of the packaging machine 10 which accomplish these various things will now be described in detail.

The main frame 13 of the packaging machine 10. has four corner legs 14 for supporting the assembly on the floor. Near the upper end of these legs 14 are a pair of top side rails 15 which extend from end to end :of the main frame between legs. These legs 14 are also joined together by bottom side rails 16. The same legs 14 are joined together atthe ends of the machine adjacent the ends of top side rails 15 by means of top end cross rails 19 while the same legs are joined adjacent the ends of bottom. side rails 16 by means of bottom end cross rails 20 as seen in FIGURE ZB.

Mounted above the top of top side rails 15 and joined to the upper ends of legs 14 in conventional manner is the main top frame assembly 21, down which carton 11 1 is passed during the filling, closing, gluing, and flap sealing of same ready for shipment. This main top frame assembly includes several stations where something is done with the carton 11 as it moves lengthwise of the packaging machine 10. The details of these variousstations will be separately described.

Now'referring more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 3, it will be noted that C-shaped support members 24-and- 25 are respectively mounted in conventional manner on the outer faces of front and back side rails 22 and:23

of main top frame assembly 21. The innerends of the upper portion of these C-shaped support members are vertically drilled for the reception of front and back,

presser

support rods

26 and 27. These'rods are adjustable up and down and anchorable in fixed position by means of front and back hand operated set screws 28 Mounted between the head portion of these front and I back ,

bolts

34 and 35 and the corresponding front and 1.

back bars 32 and 33 are mild compression springs 36 and 37., Fastened on the lower or head end portion of front and

back bolts

34 and 35, 'by welding or in other conventional manner, are front and back longitudinalishoe bars 38 and 39 which, when the machine is in operation and used for sealing cartonsor the like, ridelon the upper face of such cartons and hold them firmly in place as they are moved lengthwise of the packaging machine.

The. position of the front and back shoe bars 38 and 39 r extending longitudinally of the machine, are adjustable" to and from each other along with the other movable portions of the front and back portions of the main top frame assembly 21 to accommodate difierent length cartons 11 whichare being opened, packed, and sealed as'they are movedlengthwise of this machine to the discharge .end i of same. The movement of the front and back portions of the main top frame assembly 21 to and from each other is handled as will be hereinafter described,

Mounted crosswise of the packaging machine at opposite ends of same by means of front and back bear-- ings 40 and 41, FIGURE 3, are rightand left-threaded shafts 42. These bearings 40 and 41 for the shaft 42' may be mounted on the main frame 13 of-the packaging These front a and 29. On the lower end of the presser support rods 26 2A and 2B, and these two shafts connected through 'suchi sprocket means bymeans of a chain 48 so that rotation:

of hand crank 46 which rotates theright-and left-threaded shaft 42 at the discharge encl of the machine will likewise rotate the other right-and left-threaded shaft 42 at the inlet end of the machine. The top and bottomruns of the chain 481'as it passes lengthwise of the vmachine are guarded by passing same through :open-end tubes .49. and

50. It is thus to be seen that by rotating hand crank 46' the front and backportions of the main top frame assem-v bly 21 will move totand from each other depending upon the direction of turning the hand crank, thus facilitating setting up the: machine forditferent length'cartons to be sealed by same.- To stabilize the front and backportionsof the main top frame assembly. in their Sid6W1S6- movements, as well as adjusted position, they ,are ,slida-bly mounted in rconventionalvmanner on main frame 13 supported cross rods 201 and 20-2",%FIGURES 2A and 2B.

Referring to FIGURES, it will be noted that ways 51 and 52 .are :respectively mounted on front and back top frame side; rails 223and 23. These ways 51 and 52 respectively carry front and rear carrier bars, 53 and 154 which are slidable back and forth endwise on said ways.

Rigidly connected to said front and rear carrier bars 53v and 54 -are downwardly extending front and rear operating arms; 55 and 56 whichhave a crosswise bifurcated lower end, FIGURE 2B. Slidably fitting the bifurcated lower ends of front and rear operating arms 55 and.56,

FIGURE 3,. is a cross bar 57. This crossbar. 57 in turn is fastened ontheupper end :of front and

rear carrier arms

58 and 59. Across shaft 60 passes-horizontally= through alined openings in said front and'rearcarrier machine 10 by means of suitable angle brackets 43 and 44 T which may be fastened to the main frame 13, or an exten- I sion of same, bymeans of cap screws 45 if desired. It

is also to be noted that the hand crank 46, FIGURE 4,

may be'either directly or indirectly connected to;the-

rightand left-threaded shaft 42 at the discharge end of the packaging machine 10, and itiis intended that theshowing diagrammatically illustrate both types of construction. The rightand left-threaded shafts 42.at eachlend arms and.through1front; and rear. shoes, 61 :and 62 which are rigidly anchored to said front

andrear carrier arms

58 and 59..- These front and rear-shoes'61 and 62 in turn closely but slidably lit in front and rear ways 63 and 64' which in turn are supported-on front and rear brackets 65 and 66.:

Referring. now to FIGURES 5 and 6,- the, power drive for oscillating the frontand, rears carrier bars 53 and-54, FIGURE 3, willnowbe described. Motor 67, which is supported on intermediate longitudinal rail 17 in a manner which willibe hereinafter, described-,isprovided with a variable diameter pulley 68 for a V-belt 69 which in' turn passes around pulley 70 mountedon speed reducer 71 of conventional type having. a reduced speed output projecting rotary shaft 72 carrying a crank; arm 73. This crank arm in ,turnis connected by'a pivot pin 74 to, an adjustable, length link 75 .the other. end of which is piv0tally connected to cross shaft 60, FIGURE 3, which is supported on front and

rear shoes

61 and 62 as previously described. It is thus to be seen that'as crank arm 73, FIGURE 6, is carried in a circular path by means of projecting rotary shaft 72 ,this actuation will move .the adjustable link 75' back and forth endwise and such mo-. tion' in turn 'throughthe adjustable length 'link 75 being connected to cross shaft 60 will move .front and rear carrier bars 53 and 54 back and forth in their ways 51 e and 52, FIGURE 3.

At this point it should be noted that in FIGURE 3 the main topiframe assembly 2I iis inzits closed up or narrowest operating position the same .as in FIGURE 4. Under these conditions, rotation of hand crank346 in appropriate direction willspreadzthe front and rear portions of the main top frame'assembly 21 and as this takes. place the bifurcated lower ends, of front and rear operating

arms

55 and 56, FIGURE 3, will move outward on cross bar 5'2 which closely but slidably fits said bifurcated ends of the notedioperating arms. Itsis thus to be seen that the back and. forth movement of the front and rear carrier bars 53 and 54 does notchange; with inwardor outward movement of the front and back portions of the main top frame assembly.

Referring again to FIGURE 6, the motor 67 is mounted on a bracket 76 which has a pair of downward projecting arms 77. The upper portion of bracket 76 is cross drilled and threaded for the reception of the threaded portion of a shaft 78. This shaft 78 at the ends of the threaded portion of same is supported on hearing

members

79 and 80. These bearing members in turn carry a guide bar 81 adjacent but below shaft 78 and the downward projecting arms 77 of bracket 76 are bored in alinement for the reception of guide bar 81 so that as the motor 67 is moved backward and forward due to the rotation of shaft 78 through hand wheel 82 this will vary the diameter of variable diameter pulley 68 and thus through speed reducer 71 control the rate of back and forth movement of the various operating parts of the assembly.

Now referring to FIGURES 2A and 2B, it will be noted that rear carrier bar 54 has a series of dogs 83 mounted thereon by means of dog pivot pins 84 and that there is a dog stop pin 85 for each one of the dogs and which normally holds the dog with its upper end standing substantially vertical. The lower end of the dog 83 is weighted so that the dog will rest against the dog stop pin 85 under normal operating conditions. With dogs of this type, movement of the carrier bar 54 to the right enables these dogs to push cartons resting on top of the packaging machine to the right towards the discharge end of same and then leave the carton as the carrier bar 54 reverses and moves to the left. When the dog 83 reaches a carton which has been dropped by another one of these dogs 83 it merely pivots about dog pivot pin 84 and passes through under the carton and, when it has cleared same, the upper end of the dog swings back upright once more with the bottom up against dog stop pin 85 ready to forward the next carton to the right when the carrier bar 54 reverses and starts moving toward the righthand end of the assembly. This back and forth movement of the carrier bar 54 with its dogs thus acts to move a package being closed and sealed, intermittently, step by step from the lefthand end of the machine to the righthand end where it is discharged. It should be noted at this point that the front carrier bar 53 has like dogs 83 pivotally mounted thereon the same as rear carrier bar 54, and substantially in parallel position to same. Therefore, there is no need of describing in detail the dogs carried by the front carrier bar 53 since such would be a mere duplication of what has already been described. It is thus obvious from the above description that the back and forth movement of front and rear carrier bars 53 and 54, with their dogs pivotally mounted thereon, supply two dogs each time for moving each carton forward along the machine toward the discharge end of same.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the hopper 12 has a framework 86 mounted on the packaging machine in conventional manner such as by means of cap screws 87, FIGURE 6. This framework 86, FIG- URE 1, carries sidewise adjustable left and right

hopper side members

88 and 89 with said side members being conventionally adjustable to handle diiferent size carton blanks to be set up. Also mounted on said framework 86 is a hopper bottom member 90 which is substantially parallel and between the hopper side members and below same so as to form the hopper bottom which will support the lower edge of the cartons to be set up. Also mounted on framework 86 is a control panel 91 which is conventionally connected by means of a power cable 92 to a suitable source of operating electricity, and to the electric motor, et cete-ra. The power supply to the entire assembly is through power input cable 93.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2A, 4, and 6, with the carton 11 opened up at the carton set up station, it will have its flaps extending out from the top and bottom substantially parallel to the sides and ends and in position to have the goods to be packed slid into same from the operators side of the machine. A carton as thus set up ready for the reception of the goods is shown in FIG- URE 6 from the hopper side thereof. The modified dog 83 then engages the side of the filled carton 11 and starts moving it lengthwise of the packaging machine 10. The leading small or so-called end dust flap 94 comes into contact with a folder rod 95 which turns this flap inward substantially parallel to the end of the carton. There is, of course, one of these folder rods 95 at each end of the carton so both leading dust flaps 94 are turned in simultaneously. Then as the carton continues to move forward and before folder rod 95 gets more than part way across the ends of the carton the trailing small dust flap 96 is quickly turned inward by a tucking arm 97 of tucking assembly 98 which will be hereinafter described in detail. As the carton continues to move forward the lower side flap 99 on each end of the carton comes into contact with plow members 100 which turn this flap, at each end of the carton, up parallel to the end of same in position to have glue applied to the outer face thereof. The application of such glue will be hereinafter described in detail. Where the carton is wax coated it is desirable to moderately warm this flap while in contact with plows 100 and this is done by supplying an electric heater 205, FIGURE 6, for plows 100' with electric connections 206 for supplying heating electricity as required and with conventional connections (not shown) to a source of electricity. The carton is then moved into contact with plow members 101 which turn the top flaps 102, FIG- URE 6, of the carton down into contact with the glue coated outer face of the lower upturned side flaps 99. These plow members 101 hold the flaps in tightly folded position as the leading end of the carton moves between electrically heated heaters 103 on opposite sides of the main top frame assembly 21 of the packaging machine 10. These electrically heated heaters 103 are carried by adjustable support members 104, FIGURE 4, so that these electrically heated heaters can be properly adjusted to receive the sealed end carton and guide same lengthwise of the machine as the carton is being moved forward and during which time the heat delivered by these electrically heated heaters sets up the glue so that when the carton is delivered from the end of the machine the carton flaps are all firmly glued in place. The folder rod 95 which turns in the small dust flap 94 may be mounted in place at each end of the carton in conventional manner but for ease of adjustment same may be conventionally carried by means of an adjustable support 105, FIGURES 4 and 6.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 9 of the drawings, the tucking assembly 98 has a mounting bracket 114 which carries a body member 106 which rotatably carries a vertical shaft 107 with a pulley shaped member 10 8 mounted on same and fastened on said body member 106. This pulley shaped member has connected thereto, and partially wrapped around same, a tension spring 109 which normally holds tucking arm 97 in its retracted position shown in FIGURES l and 4 where it is conventionally held against further outward movement by means of a conventional st-op- 113 which engages bracket .114, FIGURE 9. The tucking arm 97 is, of course, preferably adjustably anchored in conventional manner on the upper end of the noted vertical shaft 107. On the lower end of vertical shaft 107 there is keyed or otherwise anchored an actuating arm 110 preferably provided with a roller 1111 in position to be contacted by an actuating plate 112, FIGURE 1, carried by front carrier bar 53 which iactua-tes the front tucking assembly 98 and there is a like actuating plate 122, FIGURE 2A, on the rear carrier bar 54 which actuates a like tucking assembly 98 on the rear of the machine, the two tucking assemblies of course tucking in the two trailing small dust flaps 96 of the carton at the appropriate time as same is moving through the flap folding steps, and before the bottom and top flaps are folded.

Referring more particularly to FIGURE 9, it will be noted that actuating arm 110 of the tucking assembly 98 actuating plate 1-12 has moved past the tucking assembly.

98,-the pivoted member 117 is pivotally movedback to starting position on pivot pin 116 by means of tension spring 118 which is conventionally connected to the bi- I furcated member 115 and pivoted member 117 bymeans t screws-119. Pivoted member 117 has an extending arm portion 120. which fits in the bifurcated portion of member 115 and acts asa stop to normally hold pivoted member 117 in the extended position shown in FIGURE 9. Roller 1.11 is of course rota-tably mounted on a pivot pin 121. After actuating plate :112,"FIGURE 1, has moved to the left past tuckingassembly 98-and which the same position shown in FIGURE 1, but .with actuating plate 112 to the left of same.

right whereupon it will come into contact with roller .111

Actuating plate 112 will then reverse its motion of travel and start moving to the '20 will move pivoted member117 counterclockwise about pivot pin 1 16, this tucking assembly will again assume and swing actuating arm 1 10 in clockwise direction ;and 1 through shaft 107 will rotate body member 106 and pulley shaped member 108 in like clockwise direction and simultaneously move tucking arm 97 in clockwise direction substantially to the position shown in FIGURE 9 where:

it will have tucked the trailing dust flap 96=of the carton inward into folded position. has moved past roll-er 111 the tension spring 109 will rotate the pulley shaped member 108 in counterclockwise When actuating plate 112 direction until stop 11 3'cornes up against mounting bracket 114, and at which time tucking arm 97 will be-- returned back to the position shown in FIGURE 1 ready for repeating the operation in connection with thenext oartonto be moved lengthwise of the packaging machine 10 toward the dischargre end of same. The tucking assembly 98at the back of the machine will of course contact the actuating plate 122 on that side of the. ma i same along folderrod 95 until the carton comes in con-:

tact with plow members 100 at each end of the carton and which plow members turn the bottom flap of the carton upward into position to receive glue. Dogs 83 I then continue pushingthe carton with its folded up bottom flap towardthe glue applicators. Directly beneath the bottom of the carton and jiustbefore the blue. app-1icato-rs 123 and I124, FIGURE 10, are a pair of

limit switches

125 and 126 which are electrically connected in series. These limit switches have respectively pivoted upstanding operating arms 127 and 128 which when moved downward by the moving carton passing over same close the electric circuit through the

corresponding limit switches

125 and 126. The closing of the electric circuit through these limit switches occurs when the leading edge of the turned up lower. side flap 99 reaches theglue dispens-ingout-let ot the glue.

applicators

123 and 124,ithe operation of which will be hereinafter described. As the cartonmoves past the glue applicators the deliveryof flow fromthe glue applicators 123. and 124.

With the glue applied to the outer face of lowerside 8E. flaps 99' the carton will have reached plow members 101 which will start turning top :flaps 102 down over lower side flaps 99 and into contactwith the glue which has been applied to same. These plows 101 hold the flaps in.

- contact with each other and allow the cartonin this form a to be delivered between the electrically heated heaters 103. which supply heat to the ends of the, carton andset up: the glue as the carton travels to the delivery endof the packaging machine 10. The amount of heat supplied through the electrically heated heaters l03is'controlled through a preset thermostat 129 inconventionalmanner. The. electricity supplied to the thermostatically controlled electrically heated heaters is delivered theretothrough terminal connections 130 and E131, FIGURE 4.

In connection with the apparatusior delivering glue to the turned up lower flap 99 of theqcarton at each end of same, the front and back assemblies. are identical and accordingly, for simplicity and avoidance of duplication only one will be described in detail. Referring now to FIGURES =4, 6, l0, and ll it will benoted that there-is a gluetauk132 with an airi pressure connection 133 for delivering air at, a pressure preferably in the range. of. eight to fifteen pounds per square inch into the top of tank 132.? This air isreceived from high pressure air line-134 with the air pressure delivered through. air pressure connection 13-3.beingmcontrolledby means of air pressure controller. 135. i The glue which is takeniirom glue tank 132 near the bottomof same isdelivered through glue line 136i-to the glue applicator 124, FIGURE 11. The body .13-7oi the glue applicator has a cylindrical section l38' at one end and a glue nozzle'section 139 at the other. end. These two sections are preferably threaded together-for-ease ofdisassemblyof the overall combination. Mounted inside .of the glue applicator 124t=,is: a piston and needle valve unit 140; The piston portion of .unit 140closely but slidably fits inside of the cylindrical section 138-while the needle valve enduofthe unit-140 is normally seated onneedle'valve seata141 of the glue nozzle section 139 of the glue applicator 124.5. From. this glue-nozzle seat 141% :there .is a passageway-14210 nozzle. outlet 143 at;the outer end of glue nozzle section v 139." In-the cylindrical section 138 of the glue applicator 124lthere isa compression spring 144 which normally forces the needle valve onto needlelvalve seat 141 and keeps samesealed. In the end of cylindrical section 13-8. there is provided a flow adjustment screw 145 which con-v trols the; distance that the needle valve can be moved off i the needle valve sea-t:141.i. The. glue; nozzle section 139. is provided with a partition 146 "so asqto provide a glue chamber 147 between said partition and the nozzle valve. seat; 141 with glue .line 136 beingconventionally con-v nected to this chamber 147 for delivery of glue thereinto. There is an=air chamber between partition 146- and the piston of the piston and needle valve unit 140.! Air at a pressure preferably inthe rangeyof eighty to a hundred pounds persquareinch is deliveredinto this air chamber' by means of an airline 1481withithe .air flowing through same from an air supply line 149 controlled by an air valve 150 which is actuated by a solenoid151iwh-ich opens air valve 150 when the electrici circuit through the carton;co-,ntacting limit switches 125 and :126 are: closed. Theioperating current for solenoid 151 is supplied through ielectric line 152 connected to said limit switches;

With thezglue delivered through glue line :136 into chamber .147 of the glue applicator 124--the closing of the two limitswitches 125 and 126 willaotuate' solenoid 151" to deliver the high. pressure ,air throughair line 148411) the central portion of: the glue applicatorbody137 which. in turn forces the piston end ofthe piston and needle valve unitI140 to the left against:the compression spring 144. automatically lifts the valve from its seat 141 i and allows glue under pressure to flow pastsuch valve seat through passageway 142 and out of nozzle outlet 143 which is closely adjacent the lower turned upflap 99 spear/9s of the carton and lays glue directly thereon. This places a strip of glue along the face of that flap as the carton is moved past nozzle outlet 143. Then just as the nozzle outlet reaches the end of flaip 99 one or both of the

limit switches

125 or 126 are released by the carton and open the electric circuit to solenoid 151 which instantly operates air valve 150' to shut olf the air pressure to air line 148 and opens an air vent in the valve 150, thus allowing needle valve to almost instantly close, through the action of spring 144, onto seat 141 and stop the fioiw of glue out of the nozzle outlet 143. This completes the cycle and places the apparatus in condition for reactuation upon movement of a succeeding carton to the gluing station.

The packaging machine as described above is adapted for taking by hand the blank cartons, forming them into open-ended tubes, filling with goods such as bacon slices on a piece of cardboard, and placing the so-filled carton on the top of the assembly where it is automatically picked up and moved step by step through the carton flap folding, gluing, and sealing steps. In some cases, however, 'where large quantities of bacon or the like are to be packaged it is desirable to provide the starting end of the assembly with a hopper, as shown in FIGURE 1, and certain other equipment for automatically opening the cartons and holding them while the bacon or the like is placed in the carton and then the carton forwarded through the various steps as described above. Such an apparatus will now be described.

Referring first to FIGURES 1 and 2A, it will be noted that the hopper 12 has a framework 86 which is mounted on an extending end portion 203 of the packaging machine 10. This hop-per is preferably set at an upwardly inclined angle to facilitate feeding blank cartons into the machine in position to be filled. The transferring of the blank cartons from the hopper to the filling position is handled by means of a mechanism utilizing suction as will be hereinafter described. While many factories have both .air compressors and compressed air lines as well as suction pressure machines and suction pressure lines, the common procedure which many factories prefer, is to use their own compressed air lines to operate the machinery and to have the machines self-contained so far as suction pressure is concerned. The present machine, accordingly, is preferably supplied with a suction pressure machine of the unitary type 153 as shown in FIGURE 6 of the drawings.

The suction or vacuum created by the unitary suction pressure machine 153, FIGURE 6, is conventionally connected by a suitable vacuum tubing 154 to a vacuum pressure valve 155 actuated through a suitable solenoid 156. This valve 155 is connected through a trap 157 and vacuum tubing 158 to a vacuum header 159 pivotally mounted on a support and stop member 168 by means of a conventional pivot pin 161, FIGURE 7. This vacuum header 159 carries a vacuum arm member 162 which has upturned end portions with vacuum cups 163 on the upper end of same and which, when in retracted position, are substantially parallel to the top surface of the packaging machine along which the cartons are to be forwarded through their folding and sealing operations.

Referring now to FIGURES 6 and 7 there is a doubleacting air pressure operated cylinder 164 pivotally mounted on bracket 165 by means of pivot pin 166 and with air under pressure delivered to the upper and lower ends of said cylinder by means of high

pressure air tubes

167 and 168. The air delivered to these tubes is passed through valve 169 from air supply line 170. This valve 169 in turn is controlled through the actuation of solenoid 171. The piston (not shown) of cylinder 164 is conventionally mounted on a piston rod 172. Mounted on the upper end of piston rod 172 is an adjustable clevis 17 3, which in turn is pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 174 to the vacuum header operating arm 175. The clevis 173 is preferably adjusted so that when same is in its uppermost position the vacuum arm member 162 will support the 10 vacuum cups 163 substantially in the position shown in FIGURE 7.

It should be noted at this time that the vacuum cups 163 have suction pressure acting on them at all times except when a carton which has just been filled is to be forwarded through the closing and sealing portions of the machine. Referring to FIGURE 2A, the actuating plate 122, which actuates the rear tucking assembly 98 for the rear trailing dust flap of the carton, has some additional functions, in that, for instance, it actuates the vacuum controlling limit switch 176 through its pivot arm 177 to shut 011 the suction pressure in the vacuum arm member 162 at the time that forward movement of the filled carton lengthwise of the packaging machine top is about to start. To accomplish this the vacuum controlling limiting switch 176 is conventionally electrically connected to solenoid 156, FIGURE 6, the operation of which has been hereinbefore described.

Another function of the rear actuating plate 122, FIG- URE 2A, is to actuate an air pressure controlling limit switch 178. This limit switch 178 is conventionally electrically connected to solenoid 171, FIGURE 6, the operation of which actuates double acting cylinder 164 which through pivoted vacuum header 159 and the vacuum arm member 162 connected thereto, FIGURE 7, will at the proper time swing upward and bring vacuum cups 163 against the underface of the carton 11 at the bottom of the stack of cartons in the hopper 12 and return same tofilling position, as shown in FIGURE 1, while still holding the carton while the filling takes place. This carton 11, as it moves down to filling position, comes into contact with carton opener plate 180, FIGURES l and 2A, which squares up the sides of the carton so as to take a substantially rectangular position in cross section.

In preferred construction the lower back end fiap of the carton 11 is preferably provided with an edge notch 181, FIGURE 6. At the same time the packaging machine, FIGURE 2A, is preferably provided with an adjustable finger member 182 which, as the carton is carried down to filling position, passes through notch 181 in the bottom rear flap of the carton and engages the top rear flap of the carton to spring the top panel of the carton upward substantially as shown in FIGURE 1 to facilitate slipping the goods to be packed in the carton into same from the opposite or exposed end. It is thus to be seen that through the actuation of vacuum controlling limit switch 176 and air pressure controlling limit switch 178 through rear actuating plate 122, same actuates both the suction and air pressure portions of the machine so that the vacuum arm member moves up to the bottom of the stack of cartons 11 in hopper 12, takes hold of same through the vacuum cups on the upper end of vacuum cup arm member 162, and carries that carton down past carton opener plate and into engagement with the adjustable finger member 182 for expanding the rear end of the carton, ready for the carton to receive the goods to be packed thereinto. The modified end dog 83 then engages and moves the filled carton sidewise toward the carton flap folding members and thus places the apparatus in condition for the vacuum arm member 162 to be swung upward once more and start the next cycle of operation.

There is preferably used, as shown in FIGURE 8, an endwise slidable member 183 which is movable through

guides

184 and 185. The upper end 186 of this endwise slidable member 183 is adapted to be contacted by the underside of the carton 11 when it is in the loading position shown in FIGURE 1. With the carton in that position the endwise slidable member 183 will be depressed and open an electric circuit through limit switch 187, which by means of conventional electric connection 189 actuates solenoid 171, FIGURE 6, so that the vacuum arm member 162, FIGURE 7, cannot move upward and withdraw another carton blank from the hopper as long as there is a carton already in the filling position as shown in FIGURE 1.

1 1 Referring now to FIGURE 1, the foot actuated carton feeding control switch 189 has a switch lever 190, which, when depressed, closes the electric circuit through same and allowsthe machine to operate in its normal manner by way of taking cartons from hopper 12, expanding them for filling and then carrying them on through the flap folding, gluing, and sealing steps ready for delivery from the discharge end of the machine. The machine, of course, is

set, as previously described, to operate at a speed wellj within the capacity of the operator who is putting goods into the open-ended carton such, for example, as bacon delivered'from the slicing machine; on cardboard trays (not shown) ready for sliding one at a time into'the end.

of the carton held in filling position to receive such tray. If the supplier of this bacon runs out of baconfor the moment, it is necessary to stop the machine from forming and folding additional cartons since they would be passed empty through the machine and delivered in that condition out of the opposite end of same.

To take care of the above situation, or when for any reason the operator wishes'to stop the forming and forwarding of new cartons, she merely lifts her foot off the switch lever 190 which comes up and in so doing, actuates through conventional electric connection 204, solenoid 191, FIGURE 6, which in turn actuates valve 192 which delivers air to double acting cylinder 193 through tubing 194,FIGURE 2A, and through the piston containedv therein (not shown) pushes piston rod 195 outward to the position shown in FIGURE 1. has mounted on its outer end a cross bar 196' which is provided with lengthwise slots 197 on which are conventionally adjustably mounted a pair of shoes 198, FIG- URES 2A,'4, and 6, the bottom face of which'is substantially parallel with the bottom face of the carton 11 being filled, ready for forwarding. The modified dog 83' carries a slide member 199, FIGURE 2A, which, when brought into contact with shoes 198, takes a position substantially in line with and parallel to the, bottom 'face of the carton being filled. As this dog 83'tslides under that carton it is slide member 199 of each dog 83 which slides along the bottom of such carton and as it continues'to the end of its movement to the left as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2A, it will pass under the ends of shoes 198, and as dog 83 reverses and starts moving to" the right shoes 198 will still hold same substantially horizontal so that it slides back under carton 11 at its loading station without engaging the side of such carton to forward it. This leaves the carton at its loading station with the suction cups holding it down and the air pressure holding the vacuum cup member in its down position. The back and forth forwarding motion of the overall assembly thus continues without picking up and moving the carton in the loading station. When a new supply of goods reaches the operator so that she can again start filling the cartons at the; loading station, she fills that carton and depresses switch lever 190, FIGURE 1, which causes through actua-. tion of solenoid 191 and valve 192, the delivery of air to double acting cylinder 193 through tubing v200, FIGURE 2A, which actuates double acting cylinder assembly 193 to retract cross bar 196 and its pair of shoes 198 from its extended position, FIGURE 4, so that dog 83'twill pivotally operate in its normal manner without slide members 199 of dogs 83 being held in horizontal position by the pair of shoes 198. These dogs 83 thus swing up. behind filled carton 11 at the filling station andrforward same on to the fiap folding pointwhilc the vacuum arm member 162 goes back into operation as previously described and removes a carton blank 11 from the hopper 12 and carries same down to the'loading position as hereinbefore described, with such cycle being continued until switch lever 190 is again released by the operator:

to stop the forwarding of the carton at the loading station. Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being I made as regards the apparatus herein disclosed, provided That piston rod 195 12 1 the means stated'by any of thefollowing claims or the equivalent'of such stated means be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. A packaging machine which comprises (a) a frame,

(b) means atone; end of saidframe to receive a filled carton with its flaps at both ends extending unfolded,

(0) means for forwarding said carton lengthwise of said machine,

(d) means for folding the: leading flaps-at each side of said cartoninward and substantially fiush:with the end of said carton,

(e) a trailing flap tucking means which turns in said trailing fiap. substantially flush with the end of said carton,

(f) means carried by said packaging machine to engage said trailing fiap tucking, means and move it from an, initial position into tucking contact with said trailing flap anddisengage said trailing flap tucking means when the-trailing flap has been tucked in place permitting same to return to its, initial position, (g) means to turn the top and bottom end flaps of said carton substantially flush and in final constructed position with the ends of said carton, (11) means for discharging and applying glue froma glue applicator to the outer face of each of said first turned end flaps at their substantially final con-' structed position, (i), means for turning the remaining end fiaps into contact. with the glue on said turned end flaps, and (j) means for holding said end flaps in contact with each other'for :sealing while said carton is moved to the second end of said frame ready for delivery. 2. A packaging machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for forwarding a carton lengthwise of the machine includes a reciprocating means having pivotally mounted dogs eachlhaving an, upstanding arm, a stop for holding, saidarm upright while same isforwarding a carton lengthwise of the machine and yet-leaving said dog movable about said pivot so as to be slidable under and past the next carton to be forwarded, said pivoting taking place while said dog is being returned to 'the starting point of its carton forwarding actuation.

3.- A packaging machine as set. forth in claim 1, wherein'said means for folding the leading flaps of the carton at both ends of same is in they form of plows, and-the means for=folding the trailing flaps at both ends of said carton are rotary means each having a tucking arm mounted on an axis substantiallyj perpendicular to the plane of travel of :said carton, andmneans for rotating said tucking arms of said trailing fiap'tucking meanszto tuck both of said trailing flaps in place while said'trailing flaps move past said tucking means. i

4. A packaging machineas set, forth iinclaim 1, where-- in said means for forwarding; the carton :lengthwise of the machine includes a reciprocating means having pivotally mounted clogs each having an upstanding arm, a stop for holding, said .arm upright whilei same is forwarding a care meanszeach having a tucking arm mounted on an axis substantially perpendicular to theplane of travel of said carton, and meansfor rotating saidtucking arms of said trailing flap tucking means .to tuck both ofsaid trailing flaps in place while said trailing fiaps move past said tucking means.

51A packaging machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for folding theleading. flaps at both ends of the carton is in the form of plows, and the means for folding the trailing flaps at both ends of said carton are rotary means each having a tucking arm mounted on an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of travel of said carton, and means for rotating said tucking arms of said trailing flap tucking means to tuck both of said trailing flaps in place while said trailing flaps move past said tucking means, and wherein said means to turn up both of the bottom end flaps of said carton substantially flush with the ends of same in position to have glue applied thereto is in the form of plows which engage the leading edge of said flaps and as the latter move past said plows turns same upward and inward against the ends of said carton.

6. A packaging machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein said plows for turning up the bottom end flaps of said carton include means for heating same so as to warm said bottom end flaps.

7. A packaging machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for applying glue to the outer face of each of the turned up bottom end flaps of the carton includes means for extruding carton sealing liquid glue in a stripe across the outer face of each of said turned up bottom end flaps in the area to be overlapped by the top end flaps when they have been turned down, and means to start and stop said flow of extruding carton sealing liquid glue so that same is laid solely on and substantially full length of said turned up bottom flaps.

8. A packaging machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means to start and stop said flow of extruding carton sealing liquid glue includes limit switches actuated by the carton whose flaps are to be glued, said limit switches operating a solenoid operated valve which is connected to a glue extruding valve with glue outlet nozzle in conventional manner so as to open and close said glue extruding valve as called for by said limit switches.

9. A packaging machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for holding said end flaps in contact with each other for sealing while said carton is moving is in the form of carton end guide members, and means for heating same.

10. In a packaging machine for handling a filled carton having four flaps, including a trailing flap, at least at one end of same in position for closing and sealing, the combination therewith of a trailing flap tucking means which turns in said trailing flap substantially flush with the end of said carton, said tucking means having a mounting bracket for fastening same on said packaging machine alongside the path of said carton as it travels through said packaging machine with said tucking means having a rotary shaft substantially perpendicular to the plane over which said carton travels, said rotary shaft having mounted thereon a tucking arm swingable to tuck in the trailing flap of said carton as same passes said tucking means, means for resiliently holding said tucking arm normally in retracted starting position, and engaging means carried by said packaging machine in step with the movement of said carton as it passes said tucking means, and means on said rotary shaft in position to be engaged and moved by said engaging means to rotatably actuate said tucking arm and then release same for return to its starting position after said trailing flap of said carton has been tucked in place.

11. In a packaging machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein said means on said rotary shaft to be engaged by said engaging means of said packaging machine is in the form of an arm, means rigidly anchoring said arm on said rotary shaft, said arm also being of two piece construction pivotally hinged together, a spring for normally holding the two pieces of said arm in extended position up against a stop means at their pivoted connection and yet retractable about said pivoted connection to allow said engaging means to pass on its return to the starting end of the carton forwarding action, while allowing said engaging means to engage said arm on the forwarding travel of same and thus operate said tucking arm to tuck in said trailing flap of said carton following which it is released by said engaging means and returns to its retracted starting position.

12. In a packaging machine for handling a filled carton having four outwardly extending flaps at least at one end of same in position for closing and sealing, the combination therewith of means for turning the leading and trailing end flaps in and the bottom flap of said carton up in position to have glue applied thereto before the top flap is folded down thereover, said glue being in liquid form suitable for gluin carton flaps, a glue tank, means for applying pressure to the glue in said tank for forwarding same as called for in gluing the flaps of said carton, a glue applicator having a glue outlet nozzle, means for mounting said glue applicator on said packaging machine with said glue nozzle in position to deliver glue in desired pattern and position on the outer face of the turned up bottom flap of said carton while the latter is carried past said glue applicator nozzle, a valve seat at the inner end of said applicator nozzle and a valve cooperable with said valve seat to open and close said glue outlet nozzle for flow of glue therethrough, means for holding said valve normally seated so as to stop the glue fiow when not called for, tubular means for delivering said glue from said glue tank to the inlet of said glue outlet nozzle, and means for opening said valve when said carton bottom flap is in position to receive glue from said glue outlet nozzle and allowing said means for holding said valve normally seated to act again to shut off the glue fiow when said glue outlet nozzle closely approaches the trailing end of the turned up bottom flap of said carton.

13. In a packaging machine as set forth in claim 12, wherein said means for opening and then allowing the closing of the valve of said glue applicator includes limit switch means actuated by the carbon which is to have glue applied to the bottom turned up flap of same, an electric solenoid operated valve, means connecting said limit switch means to said electric solenoid operated valve to operate the latter when said carton operates said limit switch means and said glue outlet nozzle is over the leading edge of said turned up bottom flaip of said carton, a high pressure air conduit connecting said solenoid operated valve to said glue applicator to deliver said high pressure air to said glue applicator when said limit switch means is actuated by said carton, means in said glue applicator for moving said valve therein from said valve seat upon delivery of said high pressure air to said glue applicator, said solenoid operated valve releasing said high pressure air when said limit switch means is again actuated by the trailing edge of said carton thus allowing said glue applicator valve to quickly return to the valve seat and shut off the glue flow as the trailing end of the turned up bottom carton flap closely approaches the delivery end of the glue outlet nozzle.

14. A packaging machine which comprises (a) a fname,

(b) a carton hopper at one end of said machine,

(c) a conveying means for moving cartons lengthwise of and along the top of said machine,

(d) means for removing cartons from said hopper and delivering same onto said conveying means with open ends ready to receive goods to be packaged therein,

(e) pivoted dog means on said conveying means for forwarding said carton from said filling point to the discharge end of said machine,

(f) oscillating means adjacent said carton filling point for folding the trailing flaps at each end of said carton inward over the end of same,

(g) means for resiliently holding said oscillating means normally in an initial retracted position,

(h) means adjacent said oscillating means for folding the leading flaps at each end of said carton inward over the end of same,

(i) means to turn up the bottom end flaps of said car. ton substantially in its final constructed position flush with the ends of same,

'15 (j) means for turning down the top end flaps of said carton substantially in its final constructed position flush with the ends of same, (k) means for applying glue to the outer face of each of said first turned top and bottom endflaps, and

(1) means for holding. said end flaps in contact. "with each other fior sezaling while said carton is moved .to i

the second end of said frame ready for delivery. 15. A packaging machine as set forth in claim 14, wherein said means for forwarding a carton lengthwise of the machine includes a reciprocating means onwhich said pivotally mounted dogs are mounted, said dogs each having an upstanding arm, a stop on said reciprocating means for holding said arm upright while forwarding a carton lengthwise of the machine and .yet each of said dogs is pivotable so as to slide under and past the next carton to .be forwarded, said pivoting taking place while said dog is being returnedto the starting point of its .carton forwarding actuation.

16. iApackaging machine asset forth in claim 14, wherein-said means for folding theleading flaps at both ends of the carton is in the form of plows, and the oscillating means for folding the trailing flaps at both ends of saidcarton each have a tucking arm mounted on an axis substantially perpendicular to theplane of travel of said carton, and means for rotating saidtucking arms of-said trailing flap tucking means to tuck both of said trailing of the machine includes a reciprocating means having pivotally mounted dogs each having an upstanding arm,

a stop for holding said arm upright while same is for warding a carton lengthwise of the machine and yetxleaving said dog movable about said pivot so as to be slidable under and past the next carton to be -forwarded,xsaid pivoting taking place while said dog is being returned to the starting point of its carton forwarding actuation, and wherein said means for folding the leading flaps of the carbon at both ends of same is in the form of plows, and the oscillating means for folding the trailing flaps at both ends of said carton each have a tucking arm mounted on an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of travel of said carton, and means for rotating said tucking arms of said trailing flap tucking means to tuck both of said trailing flaps in place while said trailing flaps move past said tucking means.

18..-A packaging machine as set forth in claim 14, wherein said means for folding the leading flaps at both tnailing flap tucking means to tuck both of saidtrailing flaps in place while said trailing flaps move. past said tucking means, and wherein said means to turn up both of the bottom end flaps ofsaid carton substantially flush with the ends of same imposition to have glue applied 'theretois in the form of plows which engage the leading edge of said flap and as the latter moves past said plows turns. sameupward and inward against the ends of said carton.

'19. A packagingmachine as set forth in claim 18,-

;wherein'said plows for turning up the bottom end flaps of said carton include means for heating same so as to warm said bottom en fl ps.

16a 20. 2A packaging-.machinefas vforth inclaim .14,

wherein said means forapplyingzglueto. the outer face of each of the first turned top or bottom end .flaps of-the carton includes means for extruding carton sealing liquid glue in a stripe across the. outer face ofeach of said first turnedtop or bottom end flaps in the area to be overlappedby the top or bottom=end flaps when theyhave been turned, and means to start and stop saidflow of extruding [carton sealing liquid glue so that same is laid solely on and substantially full length of said first turned top or bottom flap,

21.A packaging machine-as set forth; in

claim

20,1

22.. A packaging machine ;as set-fiorthiin claim .14,

wherein said means for-holding saidend flaps in contact with each other for sealing while; said carton is moving is in the formzof carton-end guide members, and means for heatiugsarne.

23. A .packagingwmachine; as set forth in claimyLt wherein said'frame, has mounted on sa-rne'a top frame assembly which has front and'back portions which support said-carton as it is, moved. lengthwise of said ma.-= chine, and means foradjusting saidfiront and back portions of said top frame assembly; to vary the! spacing between same in accordancerwith the requirements 1 of the particular carton being closed. and sealed, p g 24.- A packaging machine as set forth. in claim;23,' wherein said front and back portions of said top frame assembly respectively carry front and back shoe bars adapted to rest on the top of said carton and stabilize same as it travels lengthwise :of said machine-{and means for adjustably supporting said frontand back. shoe'bars in position to contact;the top of said cartons.

253A packaging machine Eas set forthin .claim 14, wherein said frame has mounted ion same a top frame assembly which has front andback portions which sup.- port said carton as it is moved lengthwise of said Inachine, and means for: adjusting saidtfront and back por-:

tions of said top frame assemblyi to vary thespacing be tween same .in accordance with the requirements of the particular carton being closed and sealed.

26; A packaging machine as setforth in .claim25,

wherein said front and .back portions of said top frame assembly trespectivelycarry front-and: back shoe bars a adapted to rest on the top of said carton and stabilize same as it .travels'lengthwise of said machine, and means 1 for adjustablysupporting saidfront and backshoe bars in position to contact the top of saidv cartons;

ReferencesCited by the Examiner V UNITED STATES PATENTS TRAVIS S MCGEHEE, Primary-Examiner,

Claims

1. A PACKAGING MACHINE WHICH COMPRISES (A) A FRAME, (B) MEANS AT ONE END OF SAID FRAME TO RECEIVE A FILLED CARTON WITH ITS FLAPS AT BOTH ENDS EXTENDING UNFOLDED, (C) MEANS FOR FORWARDING SAID CARTON LENGTHWISE OF SAID MACHINE, (D) MEANS FOR FOLDING THE LEADING FLAPS AT EACH SIDE OF SAID CARTON INWARD AND SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH WITH THE END OF SAID CARTON, (E) A TRAILING FLAP TUCKING MEANS WHICH TURNS IN SAID TRAILING FLAP SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH WITH THE END OF SAID CARTON, (F) MEANS CARRIED BY SAID PACKAGING MACHINE TO ENGAGE SAID TRAILING FLAP TUCKING MEANS AND MOVE IT FROM AN INITIAL POSITION INTO TUCKING CONTACT WITH SAID TRAILING FLAP AND DISENGAGE SAID TRAILING FLAP TUCKING MEANS WHEN THE TRAILING FLAP HAS BEEN TUCKED IN PLACE PERMITTING SAME TO RETURN TO ITS INITIAL POSITION, (G) MEANS TO TURN THE TOP AND BOTTOM END FLAPS OF SAID CARTON SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH AND IN FINAL CONSTRUCTED POSITION WITH THE ENDS OF SAID CARTON, (H) MEANS FOR DISCHARGING AND APPLYING GLUE FROM A GLUE APPLICATOR TO THE OUTER FACE OF EACH OF SAID FIRST TURNED END FLAPS AT THEIR SUBSTANTIALLY FINAL CONSTRUCTED POSITION, (I) MEANS FOR TURNING THE REMAINING END FLAPS INTO CONTACT WITH THE GLUE ON SAID TURNED END FLAPS, AND (J) MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID END FLAPS IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER FOR SEALING WHILE SAID CARTON IS MOVED TO THE SECOND END OF SAID FRAME READY FOR DELIVERY.