Abstract: A dynamic setting and tucking mechanism for setting and tucking the closure tab of a carton in a carton-closing station of a carton-loading machine is described. The mechanism includes a plurality of setting blades mounted on an endless chain for movement through the setting and tucking station and a plurality of tucking blades mounted on an endless chain for movement through the setting and tucking station. The setting blades engage the closure tab of a carton and bend it along its hinged connection with the closure flap of a carton and the tucking blades push the set tab into the opening in the end of the carton which is designed to receive the tabs.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly is disclosed herein in which the conveyor is supported by a first set of rollers which will rotate on an underlying guide rail and a second set of rollers which will rotate on an overlying guide rail thereby restraining the conveyor against vertical movement. Laterally disposed guide tracks engage a third set of rollers and restrain the conveyor against lateral movement.

Abstract: In a carton loading machine having a load accumulating station, the improvement of a load spacing mechanism which includes an escalator for engaging load units and advancing one load unit with respect to the next following load unit so as to space the load units. The mechanism includes a transfer platform in the load accumulating station and an escalator extending upwardly and forwardly from below the transfer platform to a loading plane disposed above the platform and load carrying supports on the escalator and movable with the escalator along the escalator plane so as to support the load units for movement along the escalator plane.

Abstract: Roll stock specifically designed for use in making a paper bag using automatic bag making machinery is provided wherein a first pair and a second pair of bands of adhesive material of a type which is inactive to form a bond until placed in contact with an adhesive of the same type are applied to the inner and outer faces of the web adjacent said edges thereof. The bands of the first pair are laterally spaed with respect to the bands of the second pair so as to be out of alignment with one another in successive turns of the roll stock such that the successive turns are not adhesively secured to one another.

Abstract: The improved wrap-around carton forming and loading machine of the present invention is capable of forming cartons around the articles supported by a mandrel such that upon removal of the mandrel, the carton will engage and support the article, the improved mandrel resiliently deflects selected side walls of the carton outwardly when formed thereabout to the required sleeve configuration so that upon withdrawal of the mandrel the side walls will revert to their predetermined configuration and engage the article. In addition, the mandrel has a free end about which the end flaps of the carton may be folded to a closed position corresponding to the ultimate erect configuration of the carton.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism which is particularly suitable for use in a checkout counter as described herein. The mechanism includes a bag supporting receptacle and a mount for mounting the bag supporting receptacle for pivotal movement between a first position in which it is generally horizontally oriented and aligned with the discharge end of a bag making machine and a second position in which it is disposed above a conveyor. The conveyor has discharge fingers which extend through a bag supporting receptacle as the conveyor is driven along its length to discharge a bag from the receptacle whereupon the receptacle is relocated in a position to receive a further bag.

Abstract: A checkout counter for use in a retail merchant store or the like comprises a frame having a bagging station in which goods are deposited in bags, a bag making machine is located in the frame for making self supporting open bags from a web of self supporting bag making stock and a transfer mechanism is provided for transferring open bags from the bag making machine to the bagging station in an open configuration.

Abstract: The checkout counter of the present invention is designed to locate an open bag in an ideal position in relation to a counter top of a packing station and to automatically deliver an open bag to the packing station from the bag dispenser which dispenses bags in a level below the optimum bag supporting position. The bag making machine is incorporated in the counter below the counter top and dispenses open bags at a level which is lower than the optimum level required for packing. An elevator mechanism is provided for receiving the bags from the bag making machine and elevating the bags to the required optimum level and the bags are transported along a support shelf at the required optimum level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a square bottom bag is disclosed herein. The method comprises the steps of driving a web in a first direction and bending the web upon itself across its width as it is driven in the first direction to assume a U-shaped configuration, supporting the main panels of the web in the open U-shaped configuration and folding the side closure forming panels towards one another to an overlapping relationship and securing the side closure panels in the overlapping relationship to form side walls of a bag.

Abstract: A packaging machine in which the shipper package is formed from a carton blank which is wrapped around the article to be shipped. The packaging machine includes a loading station having a loading mechanism for loading an article into each compartment as the compartments move continuously through the loading station. The loading mechanism includes a loading platform disposed above the path of travel of the article receiving compartments and wiper blades mounted for movement along the loading platform in the direction of travel of the compartments to remove an article deposited on the loading platform and to deposit it in a compartment as the compartment moves out from under the loading platform. A wrapping station is provided wherein the article receiving compartments are moved longitudinally through the wrapping station on a conveyor and are moved laterally of the conveyor so as to project over an edge of the conveyor when passing through the wrapping station.

Abstract: A bag having handles, a roll stock suitable for use in manufacturing the bag and a method of manufacturing the bag are described herein. The bag comprises a plurality of side walls which include a pair of handle forming portions disposed opposite one another, each handle forming portion having elongated flaps extending downwardly from each end thereof which are secured in an overlying relationship with respect to the side wall panels on which the handle is located. The roll stock from which the bag is manufactured consists of a plurality of bag forming portion serially connected to one another to form an elongated web.

Abstract: An empty square bottom bag is provided which consists of a front wall, a back wall and a bottom wall formed from a unitary panel and including a band of adhesive on the outer face of said panel extending along the marginal edge portion of each side panel, the panels being folded inwardly so that the band of adhesive on one side panel is disposed at an interface with another side panel and thereby secures the side wall panels with respect to one another in an overlapping relationship to close opposite sides of the bag and retain front, bottom and back walls in an open U-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a square bottom bag is disclosed herein. The method comprises the steps of driving a web in a first direction and bending the web upon itself across its width as it is driven in the first direction to assume a U-shaped configuration, supporting the main panels of the web in the open U-shaped configuration and folding the side closure forming panels towards one another to an overlapping relationship and securing the side closure panels in the overlapping relationship to form side walls of a bag. The bag forming machine consists of a frame, a former mounted in the frame and a guide means for guiding an unwinding web around the former and drive means for driving the unwinding web around the former. Folding means is provided at opposite sides of the former for engaging the side wall forming portions of a web and folding them inwardly around the former to form closed side walls of a bag.

Abstract: In a packaging machine having a first conveyor for supporting and transporting a plurality of loaded cartons to an end closure station, the cartons being supported with an open end disposed in a substantially vertical plane, the improvement of a mechanism for reorienting the carton as it is driven towards the end closure station so that the open end is relocated so as to open upwardly and the weight of the contents of the package is directed away from the open end so that during subsequent closure, the contents of the package will not interfere with the movement of the end flaps to the closed position. Preferably a vibrating mechanism is also provided for vibrating the cartons after they have been reoriented so that the contents of the package are urged to settle in a direction away from the open end.

Abstract: A packaging machine in which the shipper package is formed from a carton blank which is wrapped around the article to be shipped. The packaging machine includes a loading station having a loading mechanism for loading an article into each compartment as the compartments move continuously through the loading station. The loading mechanism includes a loading platform disposed above the path of travel of the article receiving compartments and wiper blades mounted for movement along the loading platform in the direction of travel of the compartments to remove an article deposited on the loading platform and to deposit it in a compartment as the compartment moves out from under the loading platform. A wrapping station is provided wherein the article receiving compartments are moved longitudinally through the wrapping station on a conveyor and are moved laterally of the conveyor so as to project over an edge of the conveyor when passing through the wrapping station.

Abstract: In a packaging machine having a load transfer station and a packaging station there is provided an improved mechanism for loading articles onto a main conveyor for movement through the packaging station. A plurality of article receiving compartments are carried by the main conveyor at longitudinally spaced intervals thereon, each compartment having a front wall and a back wall projecting outwardly from and spaced longitudinally with respect to the main conveyor, the compartments opening upwardly away from the main conveyor. A loading platform is located in the load transfer station and disposed in a transfer plane. The loading platform has a discharge edge at one end thereof. A mechanism is provided for depositing articles onto the loading platform.

Abstract: A carton loading and forming machine having a carton dispenser magazine which includes a walking beam mechanism arranged to underlie portions of the carton blanks in the magazine for moving the carton blanks towards the discharge end of the magazine. The magazine is adapted to suspend the blanks from support rails disposed at opposite sides of the blanks and arranged above the center of gravity of the blanks so that the blanks hang freely from the support rails. The machine also includes transfer means for transferring carton blanks from the dispenser to a wrapping station. The transfer means including a laterally extending carton blank conveyor for moving carton blanks laterally from the dispenser mechanism to the carton wrapping station. Plow blades are provided adjacent the conveyor to fold the carton blanks, as they travel along the conveyor, to a generally U-shaped configuration opening in a direction to receive a mandrel travelling along the wrapping path.

Abstract: A carton loading and forming machine having a carton dispenser magazine which includes a walking beam mechanism arranged to underlie portions of the carton blanks in the magazine for moving the carton blanks towards the discharge end of the magazine. The magazine is adapted to suspend the blanks from support rails disposed at opposite sides of the blanks and arranged above the center of gravity of the blanks so that the blanks hang freely from the support rails. The machine also includes transfer means for transferring carton blanks from the dispenser to a wrapping station. The transfer means including a laterally extending carton blank conveyor for moving carton blanks laterally from the dispenser mechanism to the carton wrapping station. Plow blades are provided adjacent the conveyor to fold the carton blanks, as they travel along the conveyor, to a generally U-shaped configuration opening in a direction to receive a mandrel travelling along the wrapping path.