Kliklok Corporation

Charles Ray Landrum

Urs Reuteler

Bruce H Dalrymple

Gregory A Conn

John J Metraw

Randall L Stauffer

Thomas G Sanford

Eddie L James

A machine for intended use in feeding and completing a partially formed carton is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed to the machine. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.

Carton feeding and forming machine with selectively actuated lugs and related methods

In a machine for feeding a partially formed carton in a conveying direction and reorienting the carton for completion, a turn-assist mechanism and related methods help to ensure that proper turning of a skewed carton is achieved in a reliable and highly efficient manner. The mechanism comprises a bed for supporting the carton, which may be skewed from a first orientation in which one of the side flaps could be folded and sealed in an upstream procedure. A conveyor includes at least one lug with a portion generally elongated in a direction transverse to the conveying and vertical directions for engaging a trailing end of the carton. This engagement helps to turn the carton to a second, squared orientation approximately 90&#xb0; rotated from the first orientation so that the forming operation may be completed, such as by folding and sealing any other side flaps.

In-line carton feeding and forming machine with carton lug conveyor and related methods

A machine for intended use in feeding and completing partially formed cartons is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant in time without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.

Random carton feeding and forming machine with selectively actuated lugs and related methods

Carton feeding and forming machine with selectively actuated diverter and related methods

A machine for intended use in feeding and completing a partially formed carton is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed to the machine. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.

An apparatus and related method for feeding/turning successive cartons along the flow path of a packaging line is provided. An intermediate conveyor section between in-line feed and take away conveyors defines the substantially horizontal flow path. A plurality of elongated O-ring belts feed and turn the cartons. A separate side running chain having a straight operative run carries a plurality of extensible fingers; one selected finger engaging and capturing a leading corner of each successive carton to assist in turning. The O-ring belts are driven at differential speed. The combined feeding and turning action of the carton, assisted by retarding engagement of the carton corner by the finger assures positive and efficient feeding/turning of the cartons. A microprocessor is provided to control the driving of stepper/servo motors for the various components. The O-ring belts are driven by the single servo motor with a plurality of increasing size pulleys on a common shaft to provide the progressive speeds. The belts are elastomeric to provide positive gripping action along multiple lines of contact and ride in laterally spaced grooves in a flat plate. A sensor upstream of the conveyor section selectively actuates the retarding finger by an electrical solenoid for capturing the carton corner; each finger being V-shaped and mounted on a pivot pin. Each finger has depending guide fins on the outside portion for engagement with a track extending along the operative run for positioning in the retarded or extended positions.

High speed carton feeding/turning system

An apparatus for feeding/heat sealing cartons along the feed path of a cartoning line is provided. A conveyor moves the cartons past the heat sealing station where an elongated nozzle assembly forms a heated air stream directed against the carton flap and the side of the carton to activate the coating to form an adhesive. A bypass valve and duct is provided to interrupt the flow of heated air in the event that the carton does not clear the activation zone in a predetermined time. Strategically placed heat shields and coolant passages are provided to further isolate the conveyor from the heat. The nozzle includes a slotted outlet with an elongated bar closely spaced above to deflect the heated air stream when a carton is present for adhesive activation; said bar having a tapered fin to form a modified air foil along the trailing edge to divide, recombine and compact the stream when a carton is not present. The upper feed belts of the conveyor are adjustable to adapt to cartons of various heights.

High speed carton feeding/heat sealing system

A closing method for a multi-sided paperboard carton includes sealing a cover with side edge extensions to corresponding side flanges defined by fold lines on the paperboard carton during continuous feeding of the carton along the feed path. The side flanges of the carton body are bent downward during continuous feed movement with a force sufficient to cause the flanges to fold and remain free and below a plane passing through the fold line when released. The cover is placed on the carton to lie substantially in a plane and with the edge extensions overlying the flanges. A hot air stream is directed into the half-V gap presented between each flange and associated cover side edge extension to activate an adhesive coating and the flanges are pressed against the cover for sealing. The carton is carried through the bending stage in a die having an open bottom cavity and forming blades on its side edges that engage the fold line between the side flanges and the carton side panels from below. Platen members are presented for engagement with the blade edges of the die to bend and squeeze the flanges to create the downwardly bent orientation and facilitate sealing during continuous movement. The side flanges may be pre-broken and preheated to facilitate the bending and sealing operations downstream.

Method for closing a heat-resistant carton

An apparatus and related method for sealing paperboard cartons with overlapping flanges on the side panel and cover in a continuous operation is disclosed. At least one of the flanges is an inverted U-shaped flange extending outwardly from the side of the carton as the carton is moved along a longitudinal feed path by a conveyor. Adhesive is provided between the flanges and the flanges are pressed together by upper and lower rotary members; the lower member including an inwardly projecting segment mating with the underside of the inverted U-shaped flange so that the sealing can proceed without interference with the depending portions of the U-shaped flange. The projecting segment is mounted on a disc positioned outboard of the feed path so as to provide touch contact for self centering of the carton. The segment on the lower disc is elongated in the direction of the feed path and includes a series of ridges on the pressure face to increase the sealing effect. The disc operates at a speed faster than the conveyor which includes pusher lugs so as to allow release of the carton from the conveyor during the sealing operation. The height of the sealing members is adjustable in unison to accommodate cartons of different depth. A roller forms the upper rotary member and is pivotally mounted on an arm to allow floating action and easy manual release for interruption of the sealing operation.

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Dunwoody, GA, United States of America

Charles Ray Landrum