Multipacks of containers

Abstract

An apparatus for sealing cover attachments to the plastics couplers of multipacks of containers, comprising conveyor means for transporting a succession of the multipacks along a generally horizontal path, a reservoir for a plurality of the blanks, an applicator device operating in timed relation to the conveyor means to place blanks for the cover attachments individually upon the multipacks moving along the conveyor means so that tabs, which extend out from the plain portion of each blank, are disposed laterally in relation to the conveyor path and, along each side of the conveyor path, heating means for directing hot gas onto the tabs and onto the lateral surfaces of the coupler so as to render them heat-sealable together. The apparatus further comprises folding means for folding the tabs downwardly and pressure means for holding the tabs against the coupler to heat-seal the coupler and cover attachment together. The conveyor means comprises a locating side conveyor disposed to receive the multipacks with the blanks thereon downstream of the applicator means and having dog members arranged to engage individual multipacks between adjacent containers thereof, so as to locate the multipacks as they are carried in succession through the heating means, folding means and pressure means, each dog of the locating side conveyor being arranged to engage both a multipack and the respective blank thereon so as to locate the blank in relation to the multipack until the heat-seals have been made.