Carton flap folding method and apparatus

摘要

A carton flap folding method and apparatus for use on a continuous motion packaging machine is disclosed. The carton flap folding apparatus includes a spaced pair of generally parallel knock-down arms which are rotated in the direction of a path of travel extending along the packaging machine and on which a spaced series of groups of articles for being packaged are moved. Each group of articles is at least partially enclosed in a carton blank having at least one flap hingedly connected thereto for being closed on at least a portion of the group of articles. The carton flap folding apparatus moves the knock-down arms into engagement with the at least one open flap of the carton blanks in the direction of the path of travel at substantially the same speed as the speed of the group of articles along the path of travel. The carton flap folding apparatus decreases the speed of the knock-down arms in the direction of the path of travel with respect to the group of articles prior to engaging the at least one open flap of the carton blank, and increases the speed of the knock-down arms in the direction of the path of travel with respect to the speed of the group of articles for disengaging the knock-down arms from the at least one hinged flap of the carton blank.