Patent ID: 6357203
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: B31B,B65B

Abstract:
A top pre-folder for a form, fill and seal packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing a gable top carton, the machine defining a processing path, the top pre-folder disposed prior to a filling station along the machine, the gable top carton including a sealed bottom, pair of vertical side panels, and a pair of gable side panels, each of the gable side panels contiguous with a respective one of the vertical side panels defining a pair of gable side panel/vertical side panel junctures, the gable side panel/vertical side panel junctures being formed at an angle relative to the sealed bottom, the pre-folder comprising:an mandrel positioned along the processing path and movable between a position above the carton and a position interior of the carton as the carton moves along the processing path; and a pair of spaced apart pivotal arms, each of the pair disposed on opposing sides of the mandrel and transverse to the processing path, each of the pivotal arms including a flap and being pivotal about an axis toward and away from the mandrel, each flap having a raised portion extending from a face of the flap, wherein the arms pivot to contact the flaps with the gable side panels to infold the gable side panels inwardly over the mandrels, and wherein the flap raised portions contact the gable side panels at about the gable side panel/vertical side panel junctures.