Abstract: A machine for sealing the top and/or bottom flaps of random size cases is disclosed. The location of the front and rear of cases moved through the machine by a conveyor is continuously monitored by a programmable controller that uses the location information to control the operation of various case alignment, flap folding, and glue-applying mechanisms. Case entry is initially prohibited by a raised gate. When the conveyor reaches a predetermined position the gate is lowered and a case enters the machine. As a case enters the machine, the case is aligned along the center of the case path of travel through the machine; and a T-deck drops to allow the bottom major flaps to separate from the bottom minor flaps. Such separation is necessary for the bottom flaps to be sealed simultaneously with the top flaps. If the bottom flaps are sealed when the case enters the machine, no separation occurs.

Abstract: A case sealing machine, wherein the position of cases moving through the machine is continuously monitored by a programmable controller that uses information about case position to control the operation of various flap folding and glue applying mechanisms, is disclosed. Cases are moved through the machine by a chain-driven flight bar conveyor mechanism. Case entry is prevented by a raised gate until the flight bar conveyor mechanism is synchronized. Thereafter, the gate is lowered and a power roller feeds the case into the machine. After entering the machine, a case is pushed through the machine by the flight bar conveyor mechanism. The programmable case sealing machine can be programmed to seal the top and/or bottom of the case. If the bottom is to be sealed, the bottom major flaps of the case are separated from the bottom minor flaps by a T-deck mechanism as the case enters the machine. If the bottom of the case was previously sealed, the T-deck is rendered inoperative by the program.

Abstract: A case set-up and bottom sealing machine, including a programmable controller that controls: (a) the movement of cases from a hopper to a case set-up station and, then, to a mandrel station; (b) the erecting of cases at the case set-up station; (c) the tucking or folding of the bottom minor and major flaps of erected cases at the case set-up station; (d) the application of glue to the bottom flaps during movement from the case set-up station to the mandrel station; and (e) the application of pressure to the bottom flaps to adhere the flaps together at the mandrel station, is disclosed. If the case includes Tab-Lok top flaps, the case set-up and bottom sealing machine can be programmed to fold the Tab-Lok flaps into a position such that the Tab-Lok flaps overlap the sides of the case when the case is erected.