Abstract: An improved crash-lock carton forming apparatus having three carton forming stations (44, 60 and 80). The first station (44) has engagement means comprising a pair of transversely spaced lifting arms (45, 45a) for lifting two flaps (20, 21) of the carton (12) and folding the flaps against side panels (14, 15) of the carton (12) and ploughs (49, 49a) for folding connector tabs (24, 25) in the reverse direction to that of the panels (14, 15). Second station (60) downstream of the first includes engagement means comprising lifting arms (61, 61a) for lifting and folding flaps (19, 22) in the same direction as the first two flaps (20, 21). A bonding station is adjacent the second station (60) for applying bonding agent to the tabs (24, 25). The third station (80) lifts and folds the remaining two flaps (19, 22) against associated ones of the side panels (13, 16). First and second holding and conveying means (51, 52 and 70, 71) for conveying the blank (12) through the apparatus.

Abstract: For filling and closing cartons, the latter are filled via the open bottom and then conveyed along an angular transport track. Fixed folding means for folding inner tabs (15 to 18) and outer tabs (19 to 22) solely as a result of the relative movement of the carton are located in the region of two conveying stages (42, 62). In the region of the second conveying stage (62), the carton has a relative position which has turned through 180.degree..

Abstract: Control apparatus controls the operation of a trailing edge folder in a carton blank folding machine. The folding machine has conveyor means for continuously advancing blanks in a predetermined direction in untimed relationship to one another along a generally horizontal path. The trailing edge folder has a rotatable shaft mounted below and transverse to the path. The shaft has mounted thereon for rotation therewith one or more arms which extend outwardly from the axis of the shaft. Folding heads extend from the distal ends of the arms. The control apparatus has a sensor which produces a trailing edge signal indicating the departure of the trailing edge of a blank from a first location along the path upstream of the folder. At the end of a determined interval after the trailing edge signal the shaft is rotated in the direction in which the carton is travelling so that a head on the shaft comes into contact with the trailing panel of the blank, and folds it over about 180.degree..

Abstract: An intermittently cycled packaging machine for erecting, filling, closing and sealing cartons with hot meal adhesive. A reciprocation carton transfer mechanism is cycled in response to filling of a carton at the filling station and is operative to advance cartons in step fashion from a carton erecting station past a lower carton closing station, the filling station and an upper carton closing station with the last flap to be folded at the lead side of the carton, and the adhesive applying nozzles and the lead flap folding apparatus are located in relation to each other and to the stroke of the transfer mechanism such that adhesive is applied to the end flaps on the carton and the lead flap is infolded as the carton is advanced in a continuous forward step. Lead flap guides are provided for deflecting the lead end flap forwardly of the lead panel during erecting of the carton.

Abstract: A paperboard tray forming machine is disclosed which is designed for forming a paperboard tray from a flat production blank. The paperboard tray has front and rear end panels hingedly attached to side panels by means of folded gusset corner panels. The tray further has folded over corner flaps hingedly attached to the gusset panels and upwardly turned top flaps hingedly attached to the front and rear end panels. The machine is formed in a plurality of stations designed to take a paperboard flat production blank from a hopper and to fold the tray into the finished shape through a series of folding and glueing stations in the machine. The path of travel through the machine is in a generally U-shape. The various folding and glueing stations are positioned around an endless traveling conveyor having a plurality of mandrels attached thereto. The carton blank advances first in one direction and then turns in a U-shaped path and advances in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding the trailing edge of paperboard blanks conveyed along a straight-line path includes a rotatable shaft disposed below and transverse to the conveyor and having arms with heads at their ends which extend upward through openings between conveyor belts. The shaft is rotated to cause the heads to contact the trailing panels or flaps of the blanks and fold them onto the blank body. To rotate the shaft intermittently it is momentarily connected to a continuously rotating drive by a clutch-brake which permits substantially instantaneous engagement and disengagement. The precise position of each blank is determined by a signal generated by a photodetector, and the rotational orientation of the shaft is determined by optical detectors associated therewith. A signal from the photodetector indicating position of the blank is received by a controller which also has input of the conveyor speed and which responds by actuating the clutch-brake at the proper time.

Abstract: A box blank with receptacle and cover sections each with side flaps and end flaps has a hinge panel joining the two sections. A vacuum pickup draws a flat blank from a supply stack to a feed carriage which transfers the blank past sprays that apply glue to the end flaps. The speed of the carrier varies, but beneath the glue sprays speed is uniform. The carriage delivers the glue coated box blank to a former and a tray forming head having concave and convex interacting pressure plates which maintain doubled over end flaps of each section in a concave configuration with respect to the box while the folded end sections are adhered to form a box tray from the blank. Former flap benders cooperate with the tray forming head to shape the box tray. A second vacuum pickup clasps the formed tray at the hinge panel and draws a shaped tray from the forming head into engagement with folding elements such that the cover and receptacle sections are bent together along the hinge panel to form a closed box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a reinforced half-slotted container in which each of the side walls is formed by outer side wall and a reinforcing panel which is the same size and height as the outer side wall. The reinforcing panel is attached to the outer side wall along a score line at the top of the outer side wall.In the method, either the two interior reinforcing panels or the two exterior reinforcing panels are adhered to their outer side walls and then the other two reinforcing panels are adhered to their outer side walls. The container is then formed in the normal manner to fasten the glue joint to the opposite side wall.The apparatus has a first forming station in which the interior reinforcing panels are glued, folded over and adhered to the outer side walls, and a second forming station in which the exterior reinforcing panels are glued, folded over and adhered to the outer side walls.

Abstract: A box blank with receptacle and cover sections each with side and end flaps has a hinge panel joining the sections. A vacuum pickup draws a flat blank from a stack to a feed carriage which delivers the glue coated blank to a former and a forming head having concave and convex interacting pressure plates which maintain doubled over end flaps of each section in concave configuration while the folded end sections are adhered to form a box tray. Former flap benders cooperate with the tray forming head to shape the tray. A second vacuum pickup clasps the formed tray at the hinge panel and draws it from the forming head into engagement with folding elements such that cover and receptacle sections are bent together along the hinge panel to form a closed box.The machine implementing the process is cam and lever motivated with a gluer for forming the folded end flaps and holding the box partially closed after the tray is formed for loading articles into the box before it is closed.

Abstract: A box blank of the type having two side walls and a front wall of normal length but a combined bottom and rear wall of unusual length is folded and glued on a box folding and gluing machine by advancing the blanks along a horizontal path, long wall first, and overlapped in shingled formation. The first long wall in the formation encounters an air blast, or hooked finger, which unfolds the leading edge to encounter a ramp-like guide which bends it back to fold on its fold line, while also back folding the next successive long wall. All successive blanks are so back folded in "domino" fashion.

Abstract: A machine for folding the top flaps on a succession of boxes which are advanced on a conveyor belt. A shaft extends across the path of the boxes and has arms journaled on it for rotating and folding the trailing end flap of each box when the shaft is rotated. Torsion springs have one of their ends fastened to the shaft and another of their ends in driving contact relationship with the respective arms. When a box is in a position for one of its end flaps to be folded, limit switches are actuated in succession to cause an electrically operated clutch to turn the shaft one revolution so the arms swing around under the driving influence of the torsion springs and fold and hold the trailing top end flap until the box is advanced to the position where its end flaps are finally restrained by folding and holding its side flaps.

Abstract: A collapsible drum-type container is formed by scoring lines on a generally rectangular blank of fiberboard or the like so that the blank can be initially folded along one score line into two flat overlying panels. The longitudinal free edges of the panels are sealed together to form a flattened tube. The flattened tube is then opened and refolded along other score lines to provide a flat envelope having an upper open end and a closed lower end defined by an inwardly folded gusset panel between the two side walls of the refolded flattened tube.