Patent ID: 6385950
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: B31B,B65B

Abstract:
A bottom forming apparatus for a packaging machine, the bottom forming apparatus configured to form and seal a bottom of a carton of a series of cartons being processed on the packaging machine, each carton including a plurality of carton bottom panels configured for infolding and sealing to form a sealed carton bottom the bottom forming apparatus comprising:a mandrel turret having a plurality of mandrels projecting outwardly therefrom, the mandrel turret rotating about a fixed axis; a sealing station disposed at a fixed position relative to the rotation of the mandrel turret, the sealing station adapted to receive each of the mandrels having a carton thereon, the sealing station including a guide plate and first and second rotatable spindles, each spindle having a pre-folding member and a final folding member extending therefrom, each final folding member being an elongated rod having a straight portion and an arcuate portion, the straight portion being adjacent the spindle and the arcuate portion extending from the straight portion, each of the pre-folding members and final folding members defining a rotational path, the rotational paths being parallel to and spaced from one another, wherein a carton is advanced to the sealing station with the plurality of bottom panels substantially unfolded, and wherein the pre-folding members engage the plurality of carton bottom panels and fold the bottom panels inwardly to urge the panels into a folded condition.