Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.a.

Terry B Berglin

John N Lees

Terry Dean Erickson

Russell Stacy-Ryan

Nicholas Cook

Jens Mogard

Mike Robertson

Thomas Scott Breidenbach

Andrew J Dahl

Gregory A Reed

Michael Robertson

A carton blank is used in a form, fill and seal machine on which a closure is directly molded onto the carton. The molding portion of the machine includes a tool set having first and second tool elements in which the first tool element has an aligning member extending therefrom in a direction transverse to a direction of loading the carton between the first and second tool elements. The aligning element has a predetermined shape having diverging surfaces. The carton blank includes a rear wall panel, a first side wall panel, a front wall panel and a second side wall panel. Each panel is separated from its adjacent panels by a vertical score line. A closure panel is adjacent the front wall panel, has an opening therein and is configured for having a closure molded thereon. The closure panel is partitioned from the front wall panel by a first horizontal score line. The closure panel has a closure panel fin panel extending from a side opposite the front wall panel. The closure panel fin panel has a height measured to an edge of the fin panel. A first upper side panel is adjacent the first side wall panel and is adjacent the closure panel. The first upper side panel has a first upper side panel fin panel having a height. The closure panel fin panel has a cut-out formed therein. The cut-out has converging edges having a shape complementary to the first tool element aligning member and configured to mate with the first tool element aligning member to laterally align the carton with the first tool.

Carton blank for direct injection molded closures

A form, fill and seal packaging machine is configured to mold a closure directly onto a carton. The machine includes a carton erection station to receive and erect a carton and a direct injection molding station. The molding station has an internal mold tool for receipt of the carton, and an external mold tool set. The internal tool and external tool set are configured to receive and secure a portion of the carton therebetween and define a mold cavity with the portion of the carton disposed therein. The external mold tool set defines an opening for receiving a polymer injection system to inject polymer into the mold cavity. A closure is directly molded in place on the carton, with the polymer encapsulating the inner peripheral edge of the carton opening that is disposed within the mold cavity. The packaging machine also includes a filling station for filling the carton and a sealing station for forming a seal on the carton.

Molding unit for forming direct injection molded closures

A transfer unit is configured for use with a form, fill and seal packaging machine. The transfer unit receives a partially erected carton from a first station in a tubular form, conveys the carton to a second station, and conveys the carton from the second station to a third station. The transfer unit includes a hub defining a longitudinal hub axis and configured for rotational movement about the hub axis. A plurality of car pairs are mounted to the hub for longitudinal movement along the hub. Each of the car pairs includes first and second cars, each of which has first and second mandrels mounted thereto. The mandrels are configured to receive a partially erected carton. Each mandrel has a mandrel axis and is rotational about its respective axis. The mandrel axes are perpendicular and tangential to the hub axis. A drive longitudinally moving the car pairs along the hub and rotationally moves the mandrels about their respective mandrel axes, about 90 degrees, between an untwisted position and a twisted position.

Carton transfer unit

A form, fill and seal packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing a carton, molds a closure directly onto the carton. The machine includes a carton erection station adapted to receive a carton in a generally flat form and to erect the flat form carton into a tubular form defining an internal carton region. A direct injection molding station has an internal mold tool and an external mold tool. The internal mold tool is configured for receipt within the internal carton region and the internal mold tool and the external mold tool are configured to receive and clamp the carton therebetween. The direct injection molding station further includes a polymer injection system for injecting polymer from a location external of the carton to the internal mold tool. The closure is directly molded in place on the carton. A mold tool set, a method for carrying out the molding and a closure molded thereby are also disclosed.

Apparatus for direct injection molded closure

Direct injection molding station for use on a molded closure

Direct injection molded closure and method therefor

Growing community of inventors

North Maple Grove, MN, United States of America

Terry B Berglin