APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CARTON END CLOSURES

摘要

1,260,507. Closing cartons. FIBREBOARD CORP. 9 April, 1969 [6 June, 1968], No. 18202/69. Heading B8C. Apparatus for forming a carton end closure comprises a conveyer means 20, 21 for moving a carton C along a horizontal line of flight with a pair of opposed minor flaps F 1 1, F 2 1 and a pair of opposed major flaps F 3 1, F 4 1 maintained substantially vertical, flap-folding means including a wheel 27 rotatably mounted about a substantially vertical axis and positioned adjacent the flaps for folding the pair of minor flaps and a first one of the major flaps into superimposed relationship and sealing means for folding and securing the second of the major flaps over the other three flaps. As shown, the apparatus described relates to the closing of the bottom flaps but the top flaps are closed by a similar process. The package is transported with all flaps open to the end closing apparatus by belt 21 and is held on the belt by members 20. The top of the package is fully opened ready for filling by notch 23 in wheel 22 and is maintained in this position by hold-down bar 28. Flaps F 1 , F 2 and F 3 are folded by folding wheel 27. Flap F 1 is first engaged by point 32 on the wheel and is pushed forwards while section 35 and 38, Fig. 6, closes flap F 3 as the wheel rotates in the direction shown. Flap F 2 which has been held forwards by contact with the top of the wheel is released at cut-out portion 39 on the wheel and then engages a support plate 29 which folds it over flap F 3 . Flap F 2 is folded over flap F 3 by the action of finger 41 on folding wheel 27. Flap F 4 is swung to the correct position for engaging the sealing means by guide 42. The heatsealing means comprises a bar 44 of V crosssection which protrudes between the partially folded flap F 4 and the folded flaps F 1 , F 2 and F 3 . The bar 44 has a lower surface (47), Fig. 16 (not shown), inclined at an angle of 10-30 degrees to the upper surface (48) and outlets (48) and (49) piercing the upper and lower surfaces respectively supply heated air to the inside of flap F 4 or the outside of the already closed flaps F 1 , F. 2 and F 3 . To prevent contact between flap F 4 and the upper surface (68) of an air-cushioning means (45), cold air is supplied through jets at a rate such that the flap F 4 is suspended between surfaces 68 and 47. A roller 72 and support rail 73 supply the pressure necessary to complete the sealing of the base of the carton.