METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING CARTONS AND BREAKING CARTON SCORE LINES

摘要

An apparatus for sterilizing and breaking score lines on cartons prior to filling includes a spraying assembly (31) far spraying sterilizing solution into the interior of the carton (10) and a score line breaking assembly (50) that breaks the score lines on the upstanding walls of the carton. The spraying assembly (31) and the score line breaking assembly (50) are located at the same station within a filling machine so that both operations can be performed simultaneously. The spray assembly (31) includes a movably mounted spray head (32) that is provided with a spray nozzle (34). The scare line breaking assembly (50) includes a breaker member (52) that is operatively connected to a drive assembly (56) for driving the breaker member into contacting relation with the upper portion of the upstanding walls of a carton in order to urge the upstanding walls of the carton inwardly and thereby break the score lines on the carton walls. An anvil (62) on the spray head (32) is positioned to cooperate with the breaker member (52) to cause initial folding of the walls of the carton when the spray head (32) is lowered into the carton (10).