APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INVERTING AND APPLYING FLANGED LIDS TO ERECTED CARTONS

摘要

A method and apparatus for handling and applying formed flanged lids to a carton is disclosed. Inverted lids drop on an upper conveyor belt directly from a forming machine for travel in a first direction. The lids subsequently drop and flip to the desired upright position on a lower conveyor belt for movement toward a lidding station. To prevent over-flipping, the trailing edge is guided by a vertical guide plate. An idler belt is positioned downstream of the second conveyor belt and above the feed path. A lug on the idler belt engages the leading edge of the lid being transferred from the second conveyor belt. The lug holds the lid in proper alignment for driving forwardly by abutting engagement of the carton intersecting with the leading edge of the lid. The idler belt is carried by a pair of idler rollers. An adjustable brake on one of the rollers controls the drag on the belt to restrain the lid and assure positive lidding action on the carton. As the carton moves beneath the idler belt, the lid is progressively seated onto the carton. A second or trailing lug on the idler belt serves to press down the trailing edge. The next in-line lug is timed to be positioned at the lidding station to intercept the next lid for application to the next in-line carton.