Packaging machine

Abstract

A packaging apparatus for feeding, erecting, loading and closing cartons. The packaging apparatus comprises a generally vertically extending carton transfer mechanism for advancing cartons upwardly in step fashion from a carton infeed station adjacent the lower end of the carton transfer mechanism past a carton loading station and to a carton discharge station at the upper end of the carton transfer mechanism. A carton transfer mechanism that includes laterally spaced carton guides that are open at the front and rear sides and transfer slides that are reciprocable along the carton guides. A carton magazine supports a stack of cartons adjacent the open front side of the carton guides and a carton infeed mechanism is mounted for movement in a plane parallel to and between the guides to withdraw cartons from the end of the stack and feed the cartons with open end leading into a position between the guides. A flap folding mechanism infolds the end flaps on the cartons and holds the cartons against upward movement during upward folding of the side flaps on the ends of the carton. Adhesive is applied in a horizontal band crosswise of the path of movement of the cartons and the side flap on the upper panel of the carton is then folded downwardly to close and seal the carton.

Description

Claims

1. A packaging machine for feeding, erecting, loading and closing cartons of the type having a pair of side panels connected along fold lines to a pair of end panels and side and end flaps on opposite ends of the respective side and end panels, the packaging machine comprising: an upright carton transfer means extending from a carton infeed station adjacent its lower end past a carton loading station to a carton discharge station adjacent the upper end of the carton transfer means, the carton transfer means including a pair of generally vertically extending lateral carton guides defining parallel carton guide planes, the carton transfer means being open along front and rear sides thereof between the guide planes, a plurality of carton supports at spaced locations along the lateral carton guides each adapted to underlie and support a carton after it is advanced therepast, a transfer slide mounted for reciprocation along each carton guide and having a plurality of pushers at spaced locations along the slides operative when the slide is moved upwardly to advance a plurality of cartons upwardly in step fashion, a carton magazine for storing a stack of flattened carton blanks with one and of the stack adjacent the carton infeed station, carton infeed means for withdrawing a flattened carton blank from said one end of the stack and for erecting and feeding the erected carton to the carton guides with the end panels of the carton disposed alongside the carton guides and side panels extending horizontally between the guides and with the side and end flaps extending through the open front and rear sides of the carton transfer means, drive means for reciprocating the transfer slides, means for operating the carton infeed means in timed relation with the reciprocation of the transfer slides, carton loading means for feeding product along a generally horizontal path into a carton at the loading station, means intermediate the upper and lower ends of the carton transfer means for infolding the side and end flaps on the cartons, carton receiving means adjacent the upper ends of the carton transfer means, and means adjacent the upper end of the carton transfer means for discharging cartons from the carton transfer means onto the receiving means.

2. A packaging machine according to claim 1 wherein said carton infeed means includes a feed member, means for oscillating the feed member in a plane that extends between and parallel to the carton guide planes at the carton infeed station, the carton magazine being located at the open front side of the carton transfer means and supporting the flattened carton blank at said one end of the stack in a plane perpendicular to the plane of oscillation of the feed member, vacuum operated gripper means mounted on the feed member and having a carton engaging face disposed perpendicular to the plane of oscillation of the feed member, the vacuum operated gripper means being movable with the feed member between a carton pick-up position with its carton engaging face parallel to and engaging a carton blank at said one end of the stack in the magazine and a carton delivery position intermediate the carton guides with the carton engaging face disposed upwardly.

3. A packaging machine according to claim 2 wherein carton magazine supports the carton at said one end of the stack in a plane that diverges downwardly relative to the front side of the carton transfer means.

4. A packaging machine according to claim 3 wherein the means for oscillating the feed member moves the gripper means in a closed loop path sequentially from its carton pick-up position in a direction transverse to the face of the end carton in the stack to erect the carton blank and then with one open end of the carton leading into a position between the lateral carton guides and then in an upward curve through its carton delivery position and thereafter back to its carton pick-up position.

5. A packaging machine according to claim 2 wherein said drive means includes a crank mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the plane of oscillation of the feed member, a link means connecting the crank to the slides for reciprocating the slides in response to rotation of the crank, said means for oscillating the feed member including a bar rotatably connected at one end to the crank and pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said feed member to oscillate the feed member in timed relation with the reciprocation of the slides.

6. A packaging machine according to claim 2 wherein said means for oscillating the feed member includes a crank mounted adjacent the rear side of the carton transfer means for rotation about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the plane of oscillation of the feed member, a bar rotatably connected at one end to the crank and extending forwardly between the pair of carton guides to the front side of the carton transfer means, means pivotally connecting the bar intermediate its ends to the feed member, a link pivotally mounted at its upper end adjacent the front side of the guide means for swinging movement about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the plane of oscillation of the feed member and pivotally connected at its lower end to the forward end of the bar.

7. A packaging machine according to claim 6 wherein the drive means for reciprocating the slides includes a link connecting said crank to the slides.

8. A packaging machine according to claim 6 wherein said feed member is vertically elongated and is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said bar, said gripper means being mounted on the upper end of the feed member, and means for guiding the lower end of the feed member to position the carton engaging face on the gripper means parallel to the plane of the end carton in the magazine when the gripper means is moved to its carton pick-up position and to position the carton engaging face on the gripper means substantially horizontal when the gripper means is moved to its carton delivery position.

9. A packaging machine according to claim 1 wherein said means for loading product includes conveyor means for advancing product to the loading station, a product guide funnel having an inlet and an outlet end, means mounting the product guide funnel at the loading station for reciprocation along a generally horizontal path toward and away from the transfer means between a retracted position in which the outlet end of the funnel is spaced outwardly from the side flaps on the adjacent end of the carton and an extended position in which the outlet end of the funnel extends between the side flaps, means for extending and retracting said product guide funnel in timed relation with reciprocation of the slides, a pusher mounted at the loading station for movement from a retracted position to an extended position and back to push product off the conveyor and through the funnel and into a carton at the loading station, and means for operating said pusher between its retracted and extended position in timed relation with reciprocation of the slides.

10. A packaging machine according to claim 9 wherein the lead end of the funnel has plow means arranged to engage and spread the side flaps on the end of the carton as the funnel is extended, and the funnel has a bottom wall adapted to underlie and support the product as it is pushed into the carton.

11. A packaging machine according to claim 1 wherein said means for infolding the flaps includes at least one flap folding mechanism adjacent one of the open sides of the carton transfer means at a flap folding location, said flap folding mechanism including a pair of arms mounted for movement toward and away from each other, said arms each having end flap folding fingers arranged to engage and infold end flaps on one end of the carton when the arms are moved toward each other to an end flap folding position, the arms each having a second finger arranged to overlie the upper one of the side panels at said one end of the carton when the arms are in said end flap folding position to restrain upward movement of said one end of the carton, side flap folding means mounted for movement through a flap folding cycle to engage and fold the side flaps on one end of the side panels upwardly, and means for operating said flap folding mechanism in timed relation with the reciprocation of the slides.

12. A packaging machine according to claim 11 wherein said side flap folding means includes at least one side flap folding cam mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis in a generally upright path when the pair of arms are in their end flap folding position, the side flap folding cam having a semi-circular periphery arranged to hold the side flaps in an upwardly folded condition during a portion of each revolution of the side flap folding cam and until the transfer means advances a carton away from the flap folding station.

13. A packaging machine according to claim 11 including an adhesive applicator nozzle mounted for reciprocating movement along a horizontal path at an adhesive applying location above at least one said flap folding locations to apply a band of adhesive to one of the upwardly folded side flaps, means for reciprocating the nozzle in timed relation with the reciprocation of the slides, and a side flap folding means engageable with the side flap on the upper side panel for folding it downwardly as the cartons are advanced upwardly away from said adhesive applying location.

14. A packaging machine according to claim 11 wherein the side flap folding means includes a horizontal rotary shaft spaced from one open side of the transfer means at the flap folding location, at least one side flap folding cam mounted on the rotary shaft for rotation therewith in a generally upright path intermediate the end flap folding fingers when the pair of arms are in their flap folding positions, a pair of side flap folding members mounted on the rotary shaft for rotation therewith in generally upright planes that extend across a respective one of the end flap folding fingers when the pair of arms are in their flap folding position, means for rotating the rotary shaft in timed relation with the movement of the end flap folding arms, said pair of side flap folding members having a side flap engaging nose on their outer ends arranged to move upwardly across the end flap folding fingers when they are in their end flap folding position, said side flap folding cam having a semi-circular periphery arranged to hold the side flaps in an upwardly folded condition during a portion of each revolutioon of the rotatable shaft.

15. A packaging machine according to claim 14 including at least one upper side flap deflecting finger mounted on the rotatable shaft for rotation therewith and arranged to engage the side flap at the upper side of the carton and deflect it upwardly before the end flap folding fingers are moved to their end flap folding position.

16. A packaging machine according to claim 14 including an upper side flap deflecting finger mounted on each of said pair of side flap folding members and each having an outer end angularly advanced relative to the flap engaging nose on the respective side flap folding members and arranged to engage the side flap at the upper side of the carton and deflect it upwardly before the end flap folding fingers are moved to their end flap folding position.

17. A packaging machine according to claim 11 wherein said means for operating the flap folding mechanism includes a horizontal rocker shaft spaced from one of the open sides of the transfer mechanism, and means including links connecting the rocker shaft to said pair of arms to move the arms in response to angular oscillation of the rocker shaft.

18. A packaging machine according to claim 17 wherein said means for loading product includes conveyor means for advancing product to the loading station, a product guide funnel having an inlet and an outlet end, means mounting the product guide funnel at the loading station for reciprocation along a generally horizontal path toward and away from the transfer means between a retracted position in which the outlet end of the funnel is spaced outwardly from the side flaps on the adjacent end of the carton and an extended position in which the outlet end of the funnel extends between the side flaps, means connected to said rocker shaft for extending and retracting said product guide funnel in timed relation with reciprocation of the slides, a pusher mounted at the loading station for movement from a retracted position to an extended position and back to push product off the conveyor and through the funnel and into a carton at the loading station, and means for operating said pusher between its retracted and extended position in timed relation with reciprocation of the slides.

19. A multi-lane packaging machine for feeding, erecting, loading and closing cartons of the type having a pair of side panels connected along fold lines to a pair of end panels and side and end flaps on opposite ends of the respective side and end panels, the packaging machine comprising at least two upright carton transfer means disposed alongside each other and each extending from a carton infeed station adjacent their lower end past a carton loading station to a carton discharge station adjacent their upper end, each carton transfer means including a pair of vertically extending lateral carton guides defining a pair of parallel carton guide planes, the carton transfer means each being open along front and rear sides thereof between the pair of guide planes, a plurality of carton supports at spaced locations along each pair of lateral carton guides each adapted to underlie and support a carton after it is advanced therepast, a transfer slide mounted for reciprocation along the carton guides of each pair and having a plurality of pushers at spaced locations therealong operative when the slide is moved upwardly to advance a plurality of cartons upwardly in step fashion, a carton magazine individual to each carton transfer means for storing a stack of flattened blanks with one end adjacent the carton infeed station, carton infeed means individual to each carton transfer means for withdrawing a flattened carton blank from the associated magazine and for erecting and feeding the erected carton to the respective carton transfer means with end panels of the carton disposed alongside the pair of carton guides and the side panels extending horizontally between the pair of carton guides and with the side and end flaps extending through the open front and rear sides of the carton transfer means, drive means for reciprocating the transfer slides in unison, means for operating the carton infeed means in timed relation with the reciprocation of the transfer slides, carton loading means at one open side of each of the carton transfer means for feeding product along a generally horizontally path into a carton at the respective loading station, means intermediate the upper and lower ends of each of the carton guide means for infolding the side and end flaps on the cartons, carton receiving means adjacent the upper ends of the carton guide means, and means adjacent the upper ends of the carton guide means for discharging cartons onto the receiving means.

20. A multi-lane packaging machine according to claim 19 wherein each of the carton feed means includes a feed member, means for oscillating each feed member in a plane that extends between and parallel to the carton guide planes of the associated carton guide means at the carton infeed station, the carton magazines being located at the front sides of the associated carton transfer means and supporting the flattened carton blank at said one end of the stack in a plane perpendicular to the plane of oscillation of the associated feed member, vacuum operated gripper means mounted on each feed member and having a carton engaging face disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of oscillation of the associated feed member, the vacuum operated gripper means being movable with the feed member between a carton pick-up position with its carton engaging face parallel to and engaging the carton blank at said one end of the stack in the associated magazine and a carton delivery position intermediate the carton guides of the associated guide means with the carton engaging face disposed upwardly.

21. A multi-lane machine according to claim 20 wherein said drive means includes a crank individual to each carton transfer means, a link means connecting each crank to a respective pair of slides for reciprocating the slides in response to rotation of the crank shaft, said means for oscillating the feed member including a bar rotatably connected at one end to each crank and pivotally connected intermediate its ends to a respective one of the feed members to oscillate the feed members in timed relation with the reciprocation of the slides.

22. A packaging machine according to claim 19 wherein said means for loading product includes an endless type conveyor means for advancing product to the loading station, a product guide funnel individual to each carton transfer means and having an inlet and an outlet end, means mounting the product guide funnel at the loading station for reciprocation along a generally horizontal path toward and away from a respective one of the transfer means between a retracted position in which the outlet end of the funnel is spaced outwardly from the side flaps on the adjacent end of the carton and an extended position in which the outlet end of the funnel extends between the side flaps, means for extending and retracting said product guide funnel in timed relation with reciprocation of the slides, a product pusher individual to each transfer means mounted for movement from a retracted position to an extended position and back to push product through the funnel and into a carton at the loading station, and means for operating the pushers in timed relation with reciprocation of the slides.

23. A packaging machine according to claim 19 wherein said means for infolding the flaps includes front and rear flap folding mechanisms respectively adjacent the front and rear sides of each of the carton transfer means at a front and rear flap folding locations, each flap folding mechanism including a pair of arms mounted for movement toward and away from each other, said arms each having end flap folding fingers arranged to engage and infold end flaps on a respective end of the carton when the arms are moved toward each other to an end flap folding position, the arms having a second finger arranged to overlie the upper one of the side panels at a respective end of the carton when the arms are in said end flap folding position to restrain upward movement of the end of the carton, a side flap folding means mounted for movement through a flap folding cycle to engage and fold the side flaps on one end of the side panels upwardly, and means for operating said flap folding mechanism in timed relation with the reciprocation of the slides.

24. A packaging machine according to claim 19 including horizontal front and rear rotary shafts respectively adjacent the front and rear sides of the carton transfer means at front and rear flap folding stations, horizontal front and rear rocker shafts respectively adjacent the front and rear sides of the carton transfer means at the front and rear flap folding stations, front and rear end flap folding mechanism individual to each carton transfer means, each end flap folding mechanism including a pair of arms mounted for movement toward and away from each other, said arms each having end flap folding fingers arranged to engage and infold end flaps on a respective end of the carton when the arms are moved toward each other to an end flap folding position, the arms having a second finger arranged to overlie the upper one of the side panels at a respective end of the carton when the arms are in said end flap folding position to restrain upward movement of the end of the carton, means including links connecting the front rocker shaft to the pairs of arms of each of the front end flap folding mechanisms to operate the front end flap folding mechanisms in response to angular oscillation of the front rocker shaft, means including links connecting the rear rocker shaft to the pairs of arms of each of the rear end flap folding mechanisms to operate the rear end flap folding mechanisms in response to angular oscillation of the rear rocker shaft, means for angularly oscillating said front and rear rocker shafts in timed relation with the reciprocation of the slides, front and rear side flap folding mechanisms individual to each carton transfer means, each front side flap folding mechanism including at least one side flap folding cam mounted on the front rotary shaft for rotation therewith in a generally upright path intermediate the associated end flap folding fingers, each rear side flap folding mechanism including at least one side flap folding cam mounted on the rear rotary shaft for rotation therewith in a generally upright path, and means for rotating said front and rear rotary shafts in timed relation with the reciprocation of the slides.

25. A packaging machine according to claim 24 including front and rear adhesive applicator nozzles individual to each transfer means mounted for reciprocating movement along a horizontal path at front and rear adhesive applying locations above the respective front and rear flap folding locations to apply a band of adhesive to one of the upwardly folded side flaps, means for reciprocating the nozzles in timed relation with the reciprocation of the slides, and front and rear lead flap folding means individual to each transfer means and engageable with the side flap on the upper side panel for folding it downwardly as the cartons are advanced upwardly away from the respective front and rear adhesive applying location.

26. A packaging machine according to claim 24 wherein said means for loading product includes conveyor means for advancing product to the loading station, a product guide funnel individual to each transfer means having an inlet and an outlet end, means mounting the product guide funnel at the loading station for reciprocation along a generally horizontal path toward and away from the respective transfer means between a retracted position in which the outlet end of the funnel is spaced outwardly from the side flaps on the adjacent end of the carton and an extended position in which the outlet end of the funnel extends between the side flaps, means connected to said rocker shaft for extending and retracting said product guide funnels in timed relation with reciprocation of the slides, a pusher mounted at the loading station for movement from a retracted position to an extended position and back to push product off the conveyor and through the funnel and into a carton at the loading station, and means for operating said pusher between its retracted and extended position in timed relation with reciprocation of the slides.

27. A packaging machine according to claim 19 wherein said carton receiving means includes conveyor means extending alongside the carton transfer means, said means for discharging cartons including a discharge pusher individual to each transfer means and mounted for movement crosswise of the respective transfer means adjacent its upper end, and means for operating said discharge pusher in timed relation with the reciprocation of the transfer means.

28. A packaging machine according to claim 1 wherein said means for infolding the side and end flaps includes first and second end flap folding fingers each supported at one end and extending toward each other, finger mounting means mounting the end flap folding fingers adjacent one open side of the carton transfer means for movement in first relatively opposite directions crosswise of said first open side of the carton transfer means toward and away from each other, said finger mounting means also including means mounting the end flap folding fingers for movement in a second direction transverse to said first directions toward and away from said one open side of the carton transfer means, first finger operating means for moving said end flap folding fingers in said first relatively opposite directions, second finger operating means for moving said end flap folding fingers in said second direction, means for operating said first and second finger operating means in timed relation with each other and with the transfer slides to:

(a) position the end flap folding fingers at respective first positions in which the distal ends of the fingers are spaced apart a distance not less than the spacing between the carton guide planes and are spaced laterally outwardly from said one open side of the carton transfer means;

(b) move the end flap folding fingers from their respective first positions along curved paths simultaneously toward each other and toward the carton transfer means to a respective second position adjacent a plane through said one open side of the carton transfer means to infold the end flaps;

(c) move the end flap folding fingers from their respective second positions in linear paths paralleling a plane through said one open side of the carton transfer means away from each other to a third position in which the distal ends of the flap folding fingers are disposed outwardly of the carton guide planes;

(d) move the end flap folding fingers from their third position back to their first position; said means for infolding the side and end flaps including side flap folding means mounted for movement through a side flap folding cycle to fold one side flap across the end of the carton, and means for operating said side flap folding means to fold said one side flap across the end of the carton while the end flap folding fingers are disposed adjacent a plane through the open side of the transfer means.

29. A packaging machine according to claim 28 wherein said side flap folding means includes first and second side flap folding cams mounted for movement in planes generally paralleling the first and second guide planes.

30. A packaging machine according to claim 28 wherein said side flap folding means includes first and second side flap folding cams mounted for movement in planes generally paralleling said first and second guide planes and crosswise of the respective first and second end flap folding fingers when they are in their second positions.

31. A packaging machine for feeding, erecting, loading and closing cartons of the type having a pair of side panels connected along fold lines to a pair of end panels and side and end flaps on opposite ends of the respective side and end panels, the packaging machine comprising: carton transfer means extending from a carton infeed station adjacent one end past a carton loading station to a carton discharge station adjacent the other end of the carton transfer means, the carton transfer means including a first and second lateral carton guides defining first and second parallel carton guide planes, the carton transfer means being open along opposite sides thereof between the first and second guide planes, a plurality of carton stops at spaced locations along the first and second lateral carton guides each adapted to engage and support a carton after it is advanced therepast, a transfer slide mounted for reciprocation along each carton guide and having a plurality of pushers at spaced locations along the slides operative when the slide is moved in a forward direction to advance a plurality of cartons forwardly in step fashion, a carton magazine for storing a stack of flattened carton blanks with one end of the stack adjacent the carton infeed station, carton infeed means for withdrawing a flattened carton blank from said one end of the stack and for erecting and feeding the erected carton to the carton guides with the end panels of the carton disposed alongside the carton guides and side panels extending between the guides and with the side and end flaps extending through the open sides of the carton transfer means, drive means for reciprocating the transfer slides, means for operating the carton infeed means in timed relation with the reciprocation of the transfer slides, carton loading means for feeding product into a carton at the loading station, flap folding means intermediate the ends of the carton transfer means for infolding the side and end flaps on at least one end of the cartons, said flap folding means including first and second end flap folding fingers each supported at one end and extending toward each other at the other ends, finger mounting means mounting the end flap folding fingers adjacent one open side of the carton transfer means for movement in first relatively opposite directions crosswise of said one open side of the carton transfer means toward and away from each other, said finger mounting means including means mounting said first and second fingers for movement in a second direction transverse to said first directions toward and away from said one open side of the carton transfer means, first finger operating means for moving said first and second fingers in said first relatively opposite directions, second finger operating means for moving said first and second fingers in said second direction, means for operating said first and second finger operating means in timed relation with each other and with the transfer slides to:

(a) position the first and second fingers at respective first positions in which the distal ends of the fingers are spaced apart a distance not less than the spacing between the carton guide planes and are spaced laterally outwardly from said one open side of the carton transfer means;

(b) move the first and second end flap folding fingers from their respective first positions along first and second curved paths extending toward each other and toward the carton transfer means to a respective second position adjacent a plane through said one open side of the carton transfer means to infold the first and second end flaps;

(c) move the first and second end flap folding fingers from their respective second positions in generally linear paths paralleling a plane through said one open side of the carton transfer means away from each other to a third position in which the distal ends of the first and second flap folding fingers are disposed outwardly of the respective first and second carton guide planes;

(d) move the first and second end flap folding fingers from their third position back to their first position;

said flap folding means including side flap folding means mounted for movement through a side flap folding cycle to fold one side flap across the end of the carton, and means for operating said side flap folding means to fold said one side flap across the end of the carton before the end flap folding fingers move from their second to their third positions.

32. A packaging machine according to claim 31 wherein said side flap folding means includes first and second side flap folding cams mounted for movement in planes generally paralleling the first and second guide planes.

33. A packaging machine according to claim 31 wherein said side flap folding means includes first and second side flap folding cams mounted for movement in planes generally paralleling said first and second guide planes and crosswise of the respective first and second end flap folding fingers when they are in their second positions.

34. A packaging machine according to claim 31 wherein said finger mounting means includes first and second elongated cross members mounted for relative lengthwise reciprocation in said first relatively opposite directions, said finger mounting means including means mounting said first and second cross members for angular movement about an axis paralleling their length, and first and second arms attached to the respective first and second cross members for movement therewith and respectively supporting said first and second end flap folding fingers.

35. A packaging machine according to claim 34 wherein said side flap folding means includes at least one side flap folding cam mounted on a cross shaft for rotation in a plane between and generally parallel to the first and second guide planes, said second finger operating means including a cam on said cross shaft and a follower engaging said cam.

36. A packaging machine according to claim 35 wherein said first finger operating means includes a rocker shaft paralleling said cross shaft and angularly oscillated in timed relation with the reciprocation of said transfer slides, and means operatively connecting said rocker shaft to said first and second cross members.