Abstract: A flaps closing apparatus for closing full flap boxes is provided. The apparatus includes a flaps closing assembly with a first brake mechanism and closing bars with a second brake mechanism. The first brake mechanism controls the vertical motion of the flaps closing assembly with respect to the flaps closing apparatus. The second brake mechanism holds the closing bars in an angled configuration and at a first predetermined vertical position permits the bars to pivot to a horizontal configuration. A flap sealing assembly includes a pair of compression plates positioned outside the flaps closing assembly. A compression plate actuating mechanism draws the compression plates inwardly to urge side flaps of the full flap box into contact with sides of the full flap box at a second predetermined vertical position. A vertical movement mechanism lowers and raises the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and device for folding an end portion of a substantially elliptical-section, tubular wrapping for a group of cigarettes, whereby the end portion of the tubular wrapping is folded by forming three first and three second folded flaps located on opposite sides of a major axis of the elliptical section of the tubular wrapping; the first and second flaps being defined respectively by a respective central flap and by two respective lateral flaps, each of the second flaps being specular with a corresponding first flap, and being located between the major axis of the elliptical section and a packing wheel supporting the tubular wrapping; the first flaps being folded first, commencing with the first central flap; and the second flaps being folded subsequently, commencing with the second lateral flaps.

Abstract: A method of forming a box having a plurality of corner gussets includes the steps of providing a generally planar box blank and a box forming device including a gusset formation section having a kicker plate, a forming blade and an adhesive securement device. The box blank is fed into the box forming device, the kicker plate deflects each of the gusset corner formation wall sections upwards, the upper portion thereof is bent towards a side wall via the forming blade and the glue flap section is secured to the side wall via the adhesive securement device to form a gusset, and the box is formed by folding the side walls upwards generally perpendicular to the base wall and securing adjacent ones of the side walls to one another whereby the box is formed. A box formed via the above-described method is also claimed.

Abstract: To simplify and speed up folding of plate-like elements (1) along a fold line (2), more particularly in a continuous operation, a method and a an apparatus for folding plate-like elements (1) are proposed which eliminate the use of counter-impression elements in the region of the fold line (2). The apparatus includes a second impression device (6) that folds a second section (4) of the plate-like element (1) about the fold line (2) by a first force component oriented perpendicular to the plane of the second section (4). At the same time the second impression device (6) produces a second force component oriented in the plane of the second section (4) and acting in the direction of the fold line (2) to urge a first section (3) of the plate-like element (1) against a first impression device (5).

Abstract: A self-dimensioning machine for closing upper flaps of parallelepiped boxes including a base with support surface for the boxes, a couple of drive belts placed at the two sides of the support surface for engagement with the sides of the boxes, a device for detecting the position and horizontal dimensions of the boxes for controlling the movement of the drive belts, a rod pivoted on a head above the support surface descending from a rest position to engage, straighten and partially close the front flaps of the boxes, a vertically mobile touching group for detecting the height of the boxes and successively to the head in the advancement direction of the boxes, a central longitudinal guide carried by the touching group and positioning itself in a horizontal position above the support surface at a height corresponding to the height of the boxes for completing the closing of the front flap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a bottom closure of a container employing multiple assembly lines and including a universally foldable seal fin as a part of the bottom closure. A novel blank for the container is disclosed.

Abstract: A container body with a container opening and a flap partially secured to the container body and completely covering the container opening is disclosed. The flap is secured to the container by a hinge or fold line and formed from the same substrate as the container body. The container body contains a first magnetic region adjacent to and surrounding the perimeter of the container opening. The flap contains a second magnetic region aligned with and opposite the container body's first magnetic region. The first and second magnetic regions are magnetically attracted to each other. The flap is held in a closed position by magnetic attraction between the flap's magnetic region and the container body's magnetic region.

Abstract: Herein described is a device for closing the rear flap in a self-dimensioning machine for closing the upper flaps of parallelepiped boxes of the type comprising a base with support surface for the boxes, a couple of drive belts that can be motorised placed at the two sides of said support surface and that can be brought close to each other to make a drive engagement with the sides of the boxes and a head above said support surface, that carries devices for closing the front, rear and side flaps of the boxes and can be commanded to descend from a rest position to engage the above-mentioned devices with the upper flaps of the boxes and to close them.

Abstract: The top of a carton, with opposite main panels and opposite side panels, has an inner and outer major flap hinged to opposite main panels. The outer major flap has a fold line extending along its length in parallel to a hinge line joining the outer major flap and a main panel. At each side panel, an ear has an ear portion hinged to the side panel and an ear portion hinged to the outer major flap. With this arrangement, the carton may be re-closed by pressing the ears down against the outer major flap so that the outer major flap folds about fold line into a concave V-shape.

Abstract: A method/apparatus closes and finishes an open end of a product that can be fused together with heat. The apparatus includes a bending stage, a fusing stage, and a pressing/cooling stage, which all can be integrally formed, with the bending stage positioned upstream of the fusing stage, and the pressing/cooling stage positioned downstream of the fusing stage. The apparatus can further include a trimming stage positioned upstream of the bending stage for preparing the ends of a panel. The product has a pair of spaced layers with edges that form an open end. Either one or both of the layers can be heated and rolled toward the other layer while being heated so that they contact and fuse together. The layers can overlap and fuse at their contact surfaces, or the edges can abut to form a butt joint, or the edges can overlap slightly.

Abstract: A package with bottom panel stand-offs includes a plurality of upstanding side walls, each side wall contiguous or sealed to adjacent side walls, a sealed top panel, and a sealed bottom panel. The sealed bottom panel has a generally planar portion and three stand-offs formed therein. The three stand-offs are non-coplanar with the generally planar region and define a triangular pattern other than a right angle triangle. The stand-offs raise the generally planar portion above and spaced from a surface on which the package rests. A method for forming a stable carton is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sleeve-type half package is closed by applying two beads of glue on each of two flaps on each end of the sleeve, folding those flaps inwardly by engagement with a nonglued strip between the beads and then folding the other two flaps at each end inwardly to engage a bead of glue on each of the two first-folded flaps at each end. The folding is done by thrust members as the half package is displaced linearly along a transport path.

Abstract: A method of assembling a paper box, comprising a 1st step of carrying a paper box (10a) with unfolded both side wall members (26) and (27) into a clearance between a fixed stand (101) and a guide member (100) in the condition that the positions of folded parts (22) and (23) aligned with the positions of both outer end parts of the guide member (100) at a folding station (47) where the guide member (100) is disposed with a slight clearance provided above the fixed stand (101) and a clearance at both end parts thereof set equal to a clearance at the folded parts (22) and (23), a 2nd step of driving a folding member (105) so as to fold both side wall members (26) and (27) to the inside with reference to the outer end part of the guide member (100) in contact with the folded parts (22) and (23), and a 3rd step of extracting the paper box (10a) with bent both side wall members (26) and (27) from the folding station (47) by holding the front side of the paper box (10a) in its moving direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a bottom closure of a container employing multiple assembly lines and including a universally foldable seal fin as a part of the bottom closure. A novel blank for the container is disclosed.

Abstract: A packaging system (1) includes a telescoping platform assembly (100) having a guide mount (30) and an extension platform (40). The packaging system (1) incorporating the telescoping platform assembly (100) includes a panel (22) and a flap member (26). The flap member (26) is connected to the panel (22) along a pivot axis (27) and is adapted to move between a first position with respect to the panel (22) and a second position with respect to the panel (22). The guide mount (30) includes a guide mount slot (33) whereas the flap member (26) includes a flap guide slot (28) extending outwardly from the pivot axis (27) through the flap member (26). The extension platform (40) is mounted on the guide mount (30) and the flap member (26) and is adapted to slide between a stowed position and a deployed position along guide mount slot (33) and the flap guide slot (28).

Abstract: The top of a carton, with opposite main panels and opposite side panels, has an inner and outer major flap hinged to opposite main panels. At each side panel, an ear has a lower portion hinged to the side panel and two upper ear-halves, one hinged to each of the major flaps. To seal the top, adhesive is applied to an outer face of the inner major flap and to the ear-halves extending from either end of one of the major flaps, usually the inner major flap. Then the inner major flap is folded down and the ear-halves extending therefrom are folded down and out. The outer major flap with extending ear-halves is folded on top in overlapping relation so that the adhesive bonds. In one aspect, each ear has a notch between the ear-halves to facilitate overlapping of the ear-halves. With the carton blank coated with an impermeable coating, the resulting carton is air tight.

Abstract: A top sealer for a form, fill and seal packaging machine includes first and second anvils disposed on opposing sides of a processing path of the machine. The anvils are configured to move transverse to the processing path for engaging the top fins of each of the cartons and compressing the fins for forming the carton top seal portion. A first wedge section is mounted to the first anvil and a second wedge section is mounted to the second anvil. The first wedge section includes a raised portion extending from a face of the wedge. The first wedge is mounted to the anvil to contact the raised portion with a first vertical panel/extended gable panel juncture contemporaneous with the anvils engaging the top fins. Contact of the raised portion with the first vertical panel/extended gable panel juncture forms a crease at that juncture. A method for forming a top seal at the fin panels and a crease at the juncture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a folding box transporting device and a closing device for alignment and insertion of the closing flaps of a folding box, wherein the closing device supports at least one closing tool which rotates, via a drive and a gearing, while maintaining its orientation. The gearing is a planetary gearing which ensures precise motion of the closing tools even at high packaging machine cycle frequencies. The planetary support can thereby be connected to an intermediate shaft surrounded by a coaxially disposed hollow drive shaft, wherein the hollow drive shaft is borne for rigid rotation along with the intermediate shaft but in an axially displaceable fashion to permit axial or vertical adjustment of the planetary gearing and therefore of the closing tools.

Abstract: The cardboard blanks for conversion into hinged-lid packets for arrays of cigarettes are dimensioned and configurated in such a way that an elongated reinforcing strip at the inner side of the front panel of the lid is longer than the front panel. Those terminal sections of the reinforcing strip which extend beyond the ends of the front panel in a blank are bent prior to or during the folding of the reinforcing strip against the inner side of the front panel so that they do not adversely affect the configuration of the lateral panels of the lid and the appearance of a finished packet because the lateral panels are not caused to bulge outwardly.

Abstract: A slitter machine of the type where tab lock cases of varying height, width, and length are advanced therethrough in a product flow direction on a machine bed by a main drive motor, is presented. The slitter machine includes a frame, a centerline, a leading flap lifter and a trailing flap lifter. The leading flap lifter and trailing flap lifter are mounted are mounted to the frame on opposite sides of the centerline, and extend at an incline relative to the machine bed. Each flap lifter includes a tear drop assembly attached to a drive chain and actuated by a pair of cams to rotate the leading flap and the trailing flap toward a closed position. A chain track is disposed in each of the flap lifting assemblies, with the drive chains disposed therein. Each chain track has a first section having a first distance between the drive chains and a second section having a second distance between the drive chains. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending a box sheet along a fold formed at a predetermined position in the box sheet comprising a hook which can hang a tip of the sending box sheet, a sensor which can detect said tip of the sending box sheet, and a lifting means which can lift a part between said tip and a first fold of the sending box sheet up, wherein a tip of said hook is positioned above a sending route of the box sheet, and wherein, when said sensor detects said tip of the sending box sheet, said lift means can lift said part between the tip and the first fold of the sending box sheet up to said position of said hook.

Abstract: A case sealer for overlap flap type boxes wherein the major flaps extend greater than ½ the width of the carton. The case sealer uses a folding shoe for folding the inner major flap and then holding the inner major flap and a trailing minor flap in folded position until a plough folds a leading minor flap and the overlies the inner major flap and at least the leading minor flap at least until the outer major flap traps the trailing and leading flaps and thus the inner major flap in folded position.

Abstract: The cardboard blanks for conversion into hinged-lid packets for arrays of cigarettes are dimensioned and configurated in such a way that an elongated reinforcing strip at the inner side of the front panel of the lid is longer than the front panel. Those terminal sections of the reinforcing strip which extend beyond the ends of the front panel in a blank are bent prior to or during the folding of the reinforcing strip against the inner side of the front panel so that they do not adversely affect the configuration of the lateral panels of the lid and the appearance of a finished packet because the lateral panels are not caused to bulge outwardly.

Abstract: A bottom forming apparatus having a mandrel cap and a sealing plate configured to create a carton with an elevated bottom. The present invention alleviates the problem of cartons having soggy bottoms since the point of absorption, the raw paperboard edge, is elevated above the moisture which may be present during distribution from the packaging machine to the retailer. The elevated bottom portion is actually inverted into the carton with planar portions resting on the surface to support the carton. The sealing plate has a multitude of elevated portions and the mandrel cap has a recess and an angled edge for elevating the raw paperboard edge. The various embodiments of the sealing plate are able to elevate most carton bottom configurations including the standard TETRA REX.RTM. carton and the TETRA REX.RTM. sixth panel with skived edge carton.

Abstract: A carton-shaping machine includes a material conveying mechanism, an opening mechanism, a shaping mechanism, and a band sticking mechanism combined on a worktable. A vertical and a horizontal cylinder of the opening mechanism control fixing members to force needles on them insert firmly in an upper folding portion of a carton and turn the carton to extend to standing position so as to permit opening process operated with accuracy. Then, the band sticking mechanism may seal the bottom portion of the carton and the carton is moved to the packing process, without any need of manual work to turn it for a right angle to stand upright.

Abstract: A novel box construction is provided having a numerous sealing features therein to provide a waterproof and sift resistant container. A first sealing feature is a pouring spout of three or four plies, the first and second plies of which provide a way for opening the spout. The construction of the spout also allows improved sealing because of its snap open and close feature. A second sealing feature uses transverse scoring of numerous panels and flaps with the scoring formed at the juncture between adjacent panels and flaps during manufacture and before assembly. A third sealing feature is the application of heat activated contact glue in several different patterns, including surrounding the spout with a glue border, applying "L"-shaped glue patterns on the perimeter of one panel, adding a glue border around almost the entire perimeter of one panel, and finally, applying glue on entire bottom panels and dust flaps.

Abstract: A packaging bag for containing a product is provided. The bag includes an end with four bag projections that are to be folded over the product. A first pair of opposing bag projections are folded down to form generally triangular portions, and the other pair of opposing bag projections are folded onto the triangular portions and connected together in the overlap area while basically maintaining their rectangular shape and catching the corners of the first pair of bag projections. In order for the first pair of bag projections to be formed along the long side of the bag, the fold edges between adjacent bag projections run at least partially outside of the contour of the bags when folded and the angle formed between the side and base of the triangular portion when folded in is less than 45.degree..

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method in the forming of packaging containers (1) which have sealing fins in which the packaging material is sealed inside-to-inside, and also projecting, double-walled corner flaps (8). In order to form a parallelepipedic packaging container, the corner flaps are folded down and sealed to the outside of the packaging container, which subjects a sealing fin running between the corner flaps to stresses which may entail untightness in the packaging container. This is avoided in that the sealing fin, prior to the downward folding operation, is deformed in that at least a portion of the fin (4) is laterally displaced in relation to adjacent portions of the fin.

Abstract: The device for turning a front panel of a platelike workpiece within a folder-gluer comprises a retaining plate 20 extending across and somewhat above the traveling plane of the workpiece and a series of lifting fingers 30 positioned transversely below the travelling plane and somewhat upstream of the retaining plate 20. The lifting fingers are actuated by a piston from a resting position below the travelling plane to a raised slanted raised position, at the arrival of the blank's front panel. The front panel includes a partially separated flap that must be parted. The device also comprises at least one pusher 40 that is substantially perpendicular to the plate 20, the pusher 40 being actuated by an actuator 44 in order to separate the flap when the panel reaches maximum height against the plate 20.

Abstract: A container formed from a blank of corrugated paperboard in which scores define a plurality of wall panels and bottom flaps. Two opposing bottom flaps overlap opposing sides and interlock together in a notch on a distal edge of one of the bottom flaps, whereby the container substantially maintains a squared-open configuration for inverting the container bottom-down on a pallet, with reduced manpower and effort on a production line.

Abstract: A carton blank and a leakproof carton formed therefrom which carton has an outer enclosure formed from a relatively rigid material and having an openable top portion and a closed bottom portion and a leakproof inner liner having a central body portion secured to an opposed central body of the outer enclosure, a closed bottom and an openable closed top so that after portions of the material in the carton have been removed the top portion and adjacent portions of the inner liner's central body may be separated from the central body of the outer enclosure and folded downwardly to protect the remaining material in the carton. In one embodiment, after all the material has been removed from the carton, the leakproof inner liner may be completely removed from the outer enclosure.

Abstract: A special service mailpiece having at least on integral document section and a method for forming the mailpiece requiring special services is provided. The mailpiece has an integral document section requiring special mailing service and includes a sheet folded into sections along a fold line then sealed to enclose the integral document section. The sheet further has a removably attached section which, after the system is folded and sealed, forms a return postcard and at least one form. The return postcard and the form are integrally formed, but removably attached, such that the return postcard remains attached to the mailpiece until received by the addressee at which time it may be removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a gusseted container, which method includes the steps of feeding unfolded, corrugated paper, die cut blanks sequentially from the feed module of a corrugated paper box folding apparatus through the prefold, fold and final fold modules, applying glue to the die cut blanks, creasing three gusset areas of the blanks, gathering and pleating the gusset areas, folding a panel tab against the adjacent blank panel, pressing the folded gussets and panel tab against the glue on the blanks and folding the blanks and panel tab to define the gusseted container.

Abstract: Corrugated box constructions suitable for packaging, storing and transporting flat rectangular objects such as books and the like. The box has an upper member and a lower member, each with a generally rectangular central panel, a pair of side panels, one of which is hingedly joined to each of the opposite ends of the central panel. Attached to each side panel of the upper member is an underlying panel and attached each side panel of the lower member is an overhanging panel. The side panels of the lower member fold upward, then the overhanging panel folds parallel to the central panel. The side panels of the upper member fold perpendicularly downward, then underlying panel folds under the central panel of the lower member. The upper member is attached to the lower member with an optional adhesive or strap. Preferably an adhesive is situated on the overhanging and underlying panels. The construction allows for packaging products of various sizes and hence greatly reduces waste.

Abstract: A carton, and a method of assembling the same, is disclosed wherein the carton closures or flaps have adhesive applied to or deposited upon particular regions thereof such that the adhesive does not interfere with or foul conveyor or support mechanisms use in connection with the carton assembling or erection equipment carton is erected or assembled in accordance with reverse-fold techniques wherein each end of the carton to be sealed has a first inside major flap folded inwardly, a pair of oppositely disposed minor end flaps are then folded inwardly so as to be disposed atop opposite end portions of the first inside major flap, and a second outside major flap is then folded inwardly so as to be disposed upon the minor end flaps as well as covering that portion of the first inside major flap remaining uncovered by the folded minor end flaps.

Abstract: At a station (1) in a packaging line for folding a flap (2) of a bag (3) along a shaping line (10) of the flap (2) and for compressing the folded flap (2) by a folding element (5) against a resistance member (4), the folding element (5) is driven by a drive mechanism (16) into two directions (8, 9). The two directions are perpendicular to one another. A holding element (11) is provided which can be moved against the shaping line (10) and has a rectilinear shaping edge (12). The rectilinear shaping edge (12) guarantees a straight, position-exact shaping line (10). The folding element (5) causes the folding and compressing, and can be returned into a start position for the next flap (2).

Abstract: A carton, formed from a unitary sheet of a relatively rigid material having a sheet of a relatively flexible fluid impervious material secured thereto and wherein a top portion of the sheet of a relatively flexible fluid impervious material extends upwardly from a common plane formed below the fold lines of the top panels of the unitary sheet of a relatively rigid material, wherein the top portion of the sheet of a relatively flexible fluid impervious material has facing surfaces adjacent to the top edge thereof that can be folded over two times to form a folded portion lying substantially in a plane parallel to the common plane.

Abstract: A carton blank for forming a leakproof carton comprising an outer enclosure formed from a relatively rigid material an openable top a closed bottom and a central body and a leakproof inner liner having a central body portion secured to the central body of the outer enclosure, a closed bottom and an openable closed top so that after portions of the material in the carton have been removed the top portion and adjacent portions of the inner liner's central body may be separated from the central body of the outer enclosure and folded downwardly to protect the remaining material in the carton. In one embodiment, after all the material has been removed from the carton, the leakproof inner liner may be completely removed from the outer enclosure.

Abstract: A carton flap folding and sealing machine includes a separator, a conveyor, a first folding device, a second folding device, a third folding device and a sealing device. Cartons are orderly position by the separator and sent on the conveyor and moved forward to pass through the first folding device and the second folding device for a front flap and a rear flap folded down, and then through the third folding device for two side flaps folded down. Then cartons are moving into the sealing device to receive sealing operation without interruption, by means of two pairs of glue tapes disposed on a tape support frame and two pairs of upper bases and lower bases working alternately.

Abstract: A disposable article receiving device for use for disposing of chewed gum and other small articles and method of constructing said device, the article receiving device comprising an envelope body having a front panel, two side panels, a bottom panel, and a rear panel, a cover flap being attached to the rear panel, means for removably attaching the cover flap to the front panel of the envelope body for closing the article receiving device, and means for removably attaching the article receiving device to a suitable surface, the article receiving device being movable from an unexpanded storage position to an expanded used position.

Abstract: A carton score line breaker assembly for breaking four end closure panels. The assembly includes two oppositely disposed pairs of breaker elements for, in turn, breaking the two oppositely disposed panels inwardly. Both pairs of elements are continuously rotating.

Abstract: An apparatus for quickly setting up an octagonal box configuration from the typical planar folded tube form in which the boxes are shipped. The apparatus includes separated frame portions representing the octagonal shape which are mounted for relative movement toward one another to cause the planar box form to open along vertical score lines provided on the box form. Another vertically movable frame includes plurality of fixed and pivotal folding plates which engage closure flaps connected to the box form to cause the flaps to fold inwardly along selected score hinge lines to close an end of the box thereby forming an opened, erected box ready to accept the desired contents.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a shipping and display box of the type having diverter tabs that extend outwardly from the box walls is provided that has a guide plate for supporting a blank used for forming the shipping and display box, a catcher plate used for holding the blank on the forming apparatus, a diverter tab lever for extending the diverter tabs outwardly from the box walls, and an actuator for urging the diverter tab lever against the diverter tabs, the actuator allows the catcher plate to be released after the diverter tabs have been extended from the box walls so that the blank can be removed from the forming apparatus. A method of forming the blank into the shipping and display box is also described.

Abstract: A carton blank and carton have a reclosable hinged flap formed from a panel and glue flap of the carton. The flap is opened by depressing a disengaging tab formed in another panel of the carton. The disengaging tab overlies a portion of the flap so that depression of the tab moves the flap to separate the flap from the remainder of the panel in which it is formed. Fifty-percent cuts through the carton panels are used to separate the flaps from the panels.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for erecting a folding box and folding the closure flaps or ends. The apparatus has a transfer device, by which the folding boxes are withdrawn from a magazine and conveyed along a cycloidal orbit path and conveyed into a conveying device of a cartoning machine. The folder apparatus has a platelike folder element as well as two folder elements, that protrude from the apparatus into the range of motion of the closure flaps. The closure flaps are bent at right angles in the order of their disposition on the box in the direction of movement of the folding box to the folder elements and the conveying device.

Abstract: An article of manufacture, such as letter envelopes, paper bags, shipping uches, and the like is manufactured continuously on a production line that includes a back folding or so-called zig-zagging station which folds back one of the bottom flaps, first in a direction opposite to the continuing feed advance and then in the direction of the feed advance, whereby the formation of so-called bed bottoms or stand-up bottoms for these articles is facilitated. A cross strip (43) of a front or back portion of the article and respective precreases are used as a folding arm and fold lines in the formation of the zig-zag fold.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a sealed end portion of a carton wherein at least one surface of the carton is formed from a material that functions as an adhesive when heated to a predetermined temperature and wherein each open end portion is sealed by folding minor flaps to close at least a portion of the open end portion, moving the carton by a relatively fixed elongated reinforcing strip of material, heating the material in at least a portion of a first major flap to the predetermined temperature, folding the first major flap so that at least a portion of the elongated reinforcing strip of material is located between fold lines of the folded minor flaps and the folded first major flap, folding a second major flap to a superposed relationship with the first major flap and applying pressure to the first and second major flaps against the elongated reinforcing strip of material while continuing the movement of the carton until the first and second major flaps are sealed together.

Abstract: A method and adhesive pattern for reverse folding and sealing a carton that enables the carton to be sift proof, the method including providing a carton having a first open end including first and second inside and outside major flaps and a pair of opposing minor flaps. The minor flaps and outside major flap are initially folded in an open position and the first inside major flap is folded to cover the open end of the carton. Multiple beads of adhesive are then applied with a non-contact application head to selected areas of the first inside major flap, the second outside major flap and both of the minor flaps. The minor flaps are then folded on top of the first inside major flap and the second outside major flap is folded on top of the minor flaps to provide sealing contact between the flaps about the entire periphery of the first open end so that the carton is sift proof.

Abstract: A gable-bottom carton gripper is disclosed for lifting and transporting container blanks between various positions within a packaging machine. Container blanks are sealed in a gable-bottom configuration using predesigned sealing jaws. The sealing jaws feature strategically placed ribs which, during ultrasonic sealing of the container bottoms, cause the formation of a longitudinal bubble disposed along a bottom fin of each gable-bottom container. A carton gripper is adapted to grip the bottom fin while supporting the bottom panels of the container. The gripper includes a rigid member bent to conform to the shape of a gable-bottom container, with a gripping edge defining a fin channel to secure the bottom fin within a fin chamber. The longitudinal bubble prevents the fin from being displaced from the fin chamber during the lifting and transporting process.

Abstract: A box forming apparatus for folding and securing the upper flaps of a box including a front inner flap folding body, back inner flap folding body, and left and right outer flap folding bodies for moving the respective flaps of a box into its upper opening plane. The novel apparatus further includes a cooperating tape head for securing the flaps in their folded position.

Abstract: A thermal printing head and controller include a serial input port for receiving a serial image bit means for storage of successive lines of serial image data. A multiplexer is connected to the RAMs to produce simultaneous micropulse bits. The micropulse bits are received simultaneously by serial inputs of a plurality of shift registers. The shift registers control the states of a plurality of thermal styli.