Patent ID: 6668525
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: B65B,B65D,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of closing and sealing a carton having a bottom surface, first and second side surfaces extending upwardly from first and second sides of the bottom surface respectively, first and second end surfaces extending upwardly from first and second ends of the bottom surface respectively and bridging opposite ends of the first and second side surfaces, first and second top panels extending upwardly from the first and second side surfaces respectively, and first and second fold-in panels extending upwardly from the first and second end surfaces respectively and bridging opposite ends of the first and second top panels, said method comprising:providing a movement path beneath a central opening formed between the arms of a substantially V shaped centering member having two arms, each arm having a first end and a second end, the arm first ends being spaced apart to form the wide end of the V shape, with sufficient width to permit the carton to enter the central opening, and the arm second ends being connected together to form the point of the V shape, the centering member wide end being pivotally mounted above the movement path, and the centering member point hanging down toward the movement path, with the movement path extending beneath a central opening formed between the arms of a second substantially V shaped member having two arms, each arm of the second V shared member having a first end and a second end, the arm first ends of the second V shaped member being spaced apart to form the wide end of the V shape, and the arm second ends of the second V shaped member being connected together to form the point of the V shape, the second V shaped member wide end being pivotally mounted above the extended movement path, and the second V shaped member point hanging down toward the extended movement path, the second V shaped member further having a sealing arm with a first end pivotally mounted above the central opening of the second V shaped member and a second end hanging down through the central opening of the second V shaped member toward the movement path and having a seal dispenser thereon; advancing the carton along the movement path and into the central opening of the centering member from the wide end toward the narrow end, with the carton first and second top panels and first and second fold-in panels extending upwardly from the first and second side surfaces and first and second end surfaces, respectively, to cause the arms to contact the carton and center the carton on the movement path; continuing to advance the carton along the movement path and into a more narrow portion of the central opening of the centering member to cause the arms to fold all the top panels over the carton simultaneously, with the carton fold-in panels folding inwardly beneath the top panels, thereby closing the top of the carton; and continuing to advance the closed carton along the extended movement path and beneath the central opening of the second V shaped member to cause the seal dispenser to contact the closed top of the carton as the carton moves on the movement oath and dispense a sealing material onto adjacent edges of the top panels, sealing the first and second top panels together to seal the closed carton.