Abstract:
An automated packaging process includes a packaging apparatus that is capable of closing cartons of various configurations, using a rotating glue gun assembly, and by providing a cycle stop operation finishing capability that allows completion of packaging processes in progress when the cycle stop operation is initiated. For cartons that have minor flaps that are substantially overlapped by a bottom end flap, a pivoting minor flap retaining guide holds the minor flaps closed while the bottom end flap is folded upwardly and over the minor flaps. The rotating glue gun assembly allows rotation of the glue nozzles to allow selective placement, spacing, and timing of the application of glue beads for gluing cartons having various configurations. By rotating the glue nozzles, the distance between the applied glue beads can be adjusted according to desired specifications, and without disabling specific glue guns for extended periods of time during the packaging run.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/866,028, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to packaging machinery and systems and, more specifically, to packaging machine improvements for enabling the automated packaging of cartons having narrow wrap-around minor and bottom flaps. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Machines for packaging products such as beverage cans, or bottles in paperboard cartons are known in the art. Typically, a conveyor system transports the products to be packaged toward a loading mechanism which can push the products into open ends of a partially constructed carton. As the loaded carton is transported further along the conveyor path, an adhesive, such as hot glue, is applied to flaps of the open carton ends, which are then pressed closed by structures or mechanisms further down the conveyor path from the glue applying mechanisms of the machine. The packed and closed carton can then be shipped for retail sale. 
         [0004]    Packaging machines are generally designed to handle certain carton configurations. Adjustable elements provided on the machine allow for some reconfigurations of the machine, but cartons packed by these reconfigurable machines usually share certain characteristics required for the machine to be able to successfully pack and close the cartons. Given the size, cost, and complexity of these machines, it is advantageous to design machines that are as versatile in their compatibility with varying carton configurations as possible. 
         [0005]    Designing reconfigurable machines poses challenges beyond just creating machines that will successfully pack and load a carton traveling from loading mechanisms through gluing mechanisms and past closing mechanisms in a continuous pass. In some circumstances, the conveyor machinery may be stopped while there are cartons in various stages of packaging. The conveyor may be stopped, for example, at end of a worker&#39;s shift, at the end of a work day, or because of an issue occurring along the conveyor path, such as a misfed carton. Such a conveyor stoppage is referred to herein as a “cycle stop.” In these instances, there can be cartons along the conveyor path which have had glue applied to their end flaps, but have not yet had their end flaps pressed closed. During the delay between the application of the glue and the restarting of the conveyor, the glue can cool or cure, preventing adhesion of the end flaps. Merely restarting the conveyor will lead to the end of these cartons being pressed closed, but if the glue has already set and/or cured, carton construction may be unsuccessful. 
         [0006]    Some packaging machine designs include cycle stop functions that can be operated to successfully close these cartons following a conveyor stoppage, prior to the glue cooling or curing. A versatile carton packaging machine design, therefore, also requires that cycle stop functions of the machine be compatible with the various carton configurations packaged by the machine. 
         [0007]    Generally, the end flaps are the elements that are manipulated as the carton is packed, glued, and closed. The end flap dimensions of certain carton configurations can pose difficulties in versatile packaging machine design. For instance, some packaging machines are designed to be reconfigurable to glue different end flap configurations by selectively deactivating one or more glue guns, which often causes the deactivated glue gun to clog after a period of nonuse. Some difficulties are great enough that certain carton configurations must be hand packed. Such manual processes add considerable time and expense such that these cartons may be used less commercially than they would otherwise be if the packaging process could be automated. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present disclosure describes a packaging apparatus for use in a packaging machine that facilitates proper closure of cartons of various configurations and sizes, particularly in a continuous packaging process that at least occasionally stops while cartons are undergoing various stages of the process. 
         [0009]    Generally described, the packaging apparatus includes a rotating glue gun assembly, as well as means for holding minor flaps and means for folding a bottom end flap for use in connection with a cycle stop operation capability. The cycle stop operation allows carton packaging operations to be halted at any time. When a cycle stop operation is initiated, a finishing process completes any time-sensitive parts of the packaging process, such as gluing and closing end flaps, in process when the cycle stop operation is initiated. When packaging operations are later resumed, the processing of all of the packages in progress when the cycle stop operation was commenced can be successfully completed. 
         [0010]    When a cycle stop operation is initiated, a compression plate is actuated by extension of a pneumatic cylinder. The compression plate is brought into contact with the bottom end flap of a carton to which glue has been applied. The compression plate folds the end flap into a closed position and, in conjunction or coordination with means for hold minor flaps, holds the minor and end flaps closed until the glue has set or until normal packaging operations are resumed. This prevents the glue on the end flaps from curing before the end flaps are closed. 
         [0011]    The rotating glue gun assembly allows rotation of two or more glue guns prior to commencing or during packaging operations. The rotation of the glue gun assembly and the glue guns provides adjustable application of one or more glue beads without having to deactivate any of the glue guns for an extended time. The ability to adjust glue application allows the packaging machine to be configured to accommodate various package configurations. In addition to being able to vary the number of applied glue beads, the rotating glue gun assembly allows adjustment of the distance between the applied glue beads, according to desired specifications. 
         [0012]    Specifically, certain embodiments of the packaging apparatus include a rotating glue gun assembly. The rotating glue assembly has at least a first glue nozzle and a second glue nozzle for placing glue beads on a carton being packaged by the packaging machine. The location of the placed glue beads can be adjusted by rotation of the glue gun assembly, and thereby, of the first and second glue nozzles. 
         [0013]    According to an aspect of the disclosure, the glue gun assembly can be rotated through ninety degrees or more. Thereby, the glue nozzles can be selectively positioned and aligned to provide the desired number of lines of glue at the desired spacing. To apply fewer lines of glue than the number of glue nozzles, at least two of the glue nozzles can be rotated to be in line with one another to apply one of the desired lines of glue. 
         [0014]    For example, a first orientation of the glue gun assembly permits the first and second glue beads to be placed on the carton along two substantially parallel lines. The spacing between the two substantially parallel lines, and therefore, the glue beads, is substantially equal to the linear distance between a first nozzle outlet of the first glue nozzle, and a second nozzle outlet of the second glue nozzle. 
         [0015]    A second orientation of the glue gun assembly, achieved by rotating the glue gun assembly approximately 90 degrees in either direction, aligns the first and second glue nozzles to overlay or alternatingly apply a glue bead from each glue nozzle so that the glue is placed on a carton along a single line. 
         [0016]    In certain embodiments, the first glue nozzle and the second glue nozzle can be separately actuated to cause the first glue nozzle to apply a first glue bead to a carton, and the second glue nozzle to apply a second glue bead to the carton. Either or both of the first glue bead and the second glue bead can be continuous or discontinuous, as dictated by the particular application. 
         [0017]    A third orientation of the glue gun assembly, achieved by rotating the glue gun assembly to some extent but less than 90 degrees, permits glue beads to be placed along a second set of two substantially parallel lines. The spacing between the second set of two substantially parallel lines can be less than the linear distance between the first nozzle outlet and the second nozzle outlet. 
         [0018]    According to one aspect, the packaging apparatus includes a retaining guide and/or a retaining bar, along with a cycle stop compression plate. The retaining bar and the retaining guide function either alone or in combination as means for holding minor flaps in place during normal operation and in the initial stage of a cycle stop operation. In certain embodiments, the retaining guide moves pivotably in response to a cycle stop operation to avoid contacting a bottom end flap of the carton as it is positioned by the cycle stop compression plate. More specifically, the retaining guide retracts during its movement to avoid contact with the carton. 
         [0019]    In certain embodiments, the movement of the retaining guide is caused by contact between a cam bar and a pivoting member of a retaining guide assembly. According to an aspect of these embodiments, the movement of the retaining guide is caused by a force, such as that exerted by an actuation cylinder on a pivoting member of a retaining guide assembly. 
         [0020]    The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present disclosure, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary carton before packaging. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the carton of  FIG. 1  after packaging. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is perspective view of another exemplary carton before packaging. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the carton of  FIG. 3  after packaging. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a packaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the packaging apparatus of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is another sectional view of the packaging apparatus of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a partial side elevation view of the packaging apparatus of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is another partial side elevation view of the packaging apparatus of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view from the front of the packaging apparatus of  FIG. 5  showing the glue nozzles in a vertical orientation. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is another partial perspective view from the front of the packaging apparatus of  FIG. 5  showing the glue nozzles in a horizontal orientation. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a partial perspective view from behind the packaging apparatus of  FIG. 5  showing the glue nozzles in a horizontal orientation. 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is another partial perspective view from behind the packaging apparatus of  FIG. 5  showing the glue nozzles in a horizontal orientation. 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of a packaging apparatus according to an alternate exemplary embodiment of the disclosure showing the retaining guide is in a rotated position. 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  illustrates the variable spacing between lines of glue achieved by rotating an arrangement of glue nozzles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure. 
         [0037]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a packaging machine that includes mechanisms for automated packaging of various carton configurations, particularly those having relatively narrow end flaps.  FIG. 1  illustrates a carton  100  having side end flaps  102   a  and  102   b  (the side end flaps are hereinafter referred to as minor flaps) and bottom flap  106 . As described below, the relative end flap dimensions of the carton  100  are conducive to gluing and closing by prior art packaging machines. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  illustrates a carton  100  after the carton  100  has been packed, glued, and closed. A set of mutually perpendicular axes (X, Y, Z) is shown to facilitate the following explanation. The X axis lies substantially parallel to the width of the carton and the direction of travel of the carton as it moves along a packaging machine conveyor. The Y axis lies substantially parallel to the length of the carton, and the Z axis lies substantially parallel to the height of the carton. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , there are locations along the height of the carton where a line A-A′ can be drawn that will cross the minor flaps  102   a,    102   b  without crossing the bottom flap  106 . A packaging machine designed to glue and close carton  100  can implement a retaining bar, or other mechanism that lies against the carton at the position of line A-A′ to hold minor flaps  102   a,    102   b  in a closed position without interfering with the closing of the bottom flap  106 . Such a retaining bar can include, for example, a static bar that, due to the motion of the conveyor and a bend of the bar, contacts the minor flaps and gradually pushes them to a closed position. In addition, glue can be applied to the minor flaps  102   a,    102   b  below the line A-A′ without interference from a retaining bar located at A-A′. A second retaining bar or mechanism can be implemented down the conveyor path from the gluing mechanism which can similarly contact and press the bottom flap  106  closed. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , a retaining bar at A-A′ can hold the minor flaps  102   a,    102   b  closed without interfering with the closing of the bottom flap  106  using a retaining bar or mechanism at B-B′. The carton  100  having minor flaps  102   a,    102   b  with dimensions in the Z direction which are greater than the dimension in the Z direction of the bottom flap  106  (when folded closed) can be glued and closed in the manner described above. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  depicts a carton  300  having minor flaps  302   a,    302   b  and bottom flap  306 . The minor flap  302   a,    302   b  dimensions of a carton  300  pose more difficulties in designing a machine for automated packaging than those of the carton  100 .  FIG. 4  shows the carton  300  after the end shown has been glued, and closed. It can be seen that there is no location along the height of the carton  300  (in the Z direction) where the minor flaps  302   a,    302   b  can be held closed by a first retaining mechanism while the bottom flap  306  is simultaneously closed by a second retaining mechanism without the first interfering with the second. The difficulty is created by the minor flaps  302   a,    302   b  having dimensions along the Z axis which are equal to or less than the dimension along the same axis of the bottom flap  306  (when closed). Carton configurations similar to carton  300  in this respect are often packed by hand due to these difficulties. 
         [0040]    The present disclosure includes a modified packaging machine capable of packaging products in a carton such as carton  100 , and that can be reconfigured by an operator to package products in a carton such as carton  300 . The machine includes modified glue delivery and cycle stop mechanisms that are capable of operator reconfiguration for use with both carton  100  and carton  300 . 
         [0041]    The packaging apparatus  500  of  FIG. 5  includes exemplary embodiments of modified glue delivery and cycle stop mechanisms. The packaging apparatus  500  includes a retaining bar  502  and a retaining guide  504 . The retaining guide includes a glue nozzle access hole  506 . The apparatus further includes a cycle stop compression plate  508  and a spring-loaded compression bar  510 . 
         [0042]    Movement of the apparatus during operation is-driven at least in part by the actuation cylinder  512 . The actuation cylinder  512  can include a pneumatically actuated piston, a hydraulically actuated piston, or any actuation mechanism capable of providing a linear force. A first end of the actuation cylinder  512  is attached at a lower pivot point  516  on a mounting bracket  514 . A second end of the actuation cylinder  512  is pivotally attached to a track bar  518 . 
         [0043]    The track bar  518  is so named because it follows a path defined by a track cut into the plates  520   a,    520   b  over the motion range provided by the actuation cylinder  512 . The track bar  518  also passes through the pinch blocks  524   a,    524   b  ( 524   b  is not visible from the perspective shown). The pinch blocks  524   a,  and  524   b  serve to provide a connection between the track bar  518  and the cycle stop compression plate slide rods  526   a,    526   b  (“slide rods”). The bolts  525   a,    525   b  ( 525   b  is not visible from the perspective shown) can be loosened to provide an adjustment range for movement of the cycle stop compression plate  508 . The slide rods  526   a,    526   b  are free to slide through tunnels in the cycle stop compression plate pivot blocks  528   a,    528   b  (“pivot blocks”). The pivot blocks  528   a,    528   b  rotate about pivot bar  530 . 
         [0044]    The pinch blocks  532   a,    532   b  serve to provide an adjustable connection between the slide rods  526   a,    526   b  and the cam bar  534 . The bolts  533   a,    533   b  ( 533   b  is not visible from the perspective shown) of the pinch blocks  532   a,    532   b  can be loosened to move the cam bar fore or aft. During operation of the actuation cylinder  512 , movement of the slide rods  526   a,    526   b  causes the cam bar  534  to move forward and contact a bottom surface of the retaining bar pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b.  Further forward motion of the cam bar  534  (in the Y direction) causes the pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b  to rotate about the pivot bar  530 . The pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b  can include tunnels for the retaining bar slide rods  540   a,    540   b.  The pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b  can also include air holes  542   a,    542   b  ( 542   a  is not visible from the perspective shown) to permit the slide rods  540   a,    540   b  to slide the pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b  without creating a high or low pressure area (relative to the ambient pressure) in the pivot block tunnels. The track bar  544  passes through the plates  520   a,    520   b,  and the pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b.  The track bar  544  follows the tracks  545   a,    545   b  in the plates  520   a,    520   b  respectively ( 545   b  is not visible from the perspective shown). The slide rods  540   a,    540   b  can include rounded notches (not visible) that rest on the track bar  544  in the pivot block  536   a,    536   b  tunnels. Rotation of the pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b  causes the track bar  544  to follow the tracks  545   a,    545   b  to retract the slide rods  540   a,    540   b  into the pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b.    
         [0045]    The retainer mounting plate  546  is mounted to the slide rods  540   a,    540   b.  The retainer mounting plate  546  has a rear surface that lies in a plane perpendicular to the slide rods  540   a,    540   b.  Thumb screws  548   a,    548   b  are used to connect the retaining bar  502  and the retaining guide  504  to the mounting plate  546 . An operator can loosen the thumb screws  548   a,    548   b  to adjust the height (in the Z direction) of the retaining bar  502  and the retaining guide  504 . An operator can remove the thumb screws  548   a,    548   b  to mount retaining bars and/or retaining guides having different dimensions to pack various carton designs. 
         [0046]    The apparatus  500  is positioned next to a conveyor (not shown) carrying cartons that have been loaded but still have open ends. Conveyor motion can be substantially parallel to and in the direction of the X axis shown in  FIG. 5 . The interactions of the various elements of the apparatus will be described in more detail below. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective sectional view of the packaging apparatus  500 . The view is cut near the middle of the track bar  518  and the actuation cylinder  512 . This view of the apparatus shows the surface  600   b  of the pivot block  536   b  which is contacted by the cam bar  534  during operation of the apparatus. Additionally, a spring-loaded compression bar mounting plate  602  (“mounting plate”) can be seen in this view. The mounting plate  602  connects the spring-loaded compression bar  510  to the slide rods  526   a,    526   b.    
         [0048]      FIG. 7  shows another perspective sectional view of the packaging apparatus. The view shown in  FIG. 7  is cut through the plate  520   b.  This view clearly shows the track  522   b,  the track  545   b,  and the cam bar clearance area  700   b.  The cam bar clearance areas  700   a,    700   b  ( 700   a  is not visible in the perspective shown) are areas of the plates  520   a,    520   b  where plate material has been removed to prevent the cam bar  534  from contacting the plates  520   a,    520   b  through the range of motion of the cam bar  534  during the operation of the apparatus  500 . Also shown in this view is an adjustable spring-loaded compression bar shaft  702   b  (“shaft”). The adjustment provided by the shaft  702   b  can set the position of a face  704  of the spring loaded compression bar  510  relative to a face  706  of the cycle stop compression plate  508 . A cycle stop compression plate mounting stud  708   b  connects the cycle stop compression plate  508  with the mounting plate  602 . 
       Cycle Stop Mechanism and Operation 
       [0049]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of a cross section of the packaging apparatus  500 . The cross section is cut near the middle of the track bar  518  and the actuation cylinder  512  as in  FIG. 6 . Cartons  100 ,  300  transported by a conveyor will move along the front (the left side in the illustrated view) of the retaining bar  502  and the retaining guide  504 . The motion of the conveyor will carry the cartons  100 ,  300  past the apparatus  500 , i.e., away from the view shown in  FIG. 8  (i.e., in the direction of the X axis, which can be seen in  FIG. 5  and goes into the page in  FIG. 8 ). During steady state packaging operations using the apparatus  500 , the actuation cylinder  512  can be retracted further than is shown in  FIG. 8 . That is, the rod  513  of the actuation cylinder  512  can be retracted further in a downward and rightward direction in the view shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0050]    When the actuation cylinder  512  is retracted, the track bar  518  will follow the track  522   b  to its rightmost end (the track bar also follows track  522   a  which is not shown in the view of  FIG. 8 ). As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the motion of the track bar  518  following the tracks  522   a,    522   b  to their ends in the negative Y direction will cause the pinch blocks  524   a,    524   b  to swing the slide arms  526   a,    526   b  down and away from a carton  100 ,  300 , into a standby position. The cycle stop compression plate  508 , spring-loaded compression bar  510 , and the slide rods  526   a,    526   b,  (along with other elements apparent to one of skill in the art following the description given above) can rest in-this standby position during steady state packaging operations. 
         [0051]    “Steady state packaging operations” as used herein means operations where the conveyor is moving cartons past the apparatus  500  at a substantially constant speed where the apparatus applies glue to each passing carton and each carton is closed by static bars and/or guides which contact the carton as it is drawn down the conveyor line. 
         [0052]    As noted previously, the apparatus  500  can be used to close both types of cartons, including cartons such as carton  100  and cartons such as carton  300 . If the apparatus  500  is used to close cartons such as carton  100 , the retaining bar  502  can contact the minor flaps  102   a,    102   b  across a line such as that shown by line A-A′ of  FIG. 1  to hold them in a closed position around and/or against a product loaded into the carton  100  by machine elements upstream of the conveyor line from the apparatus  500 . While the minor end flaps  102   a,    102   b  are held in this closed position, glue can be applied to a front surface of the minor end flaps  102   a,    102   b.  Referring to  FIG. 5 , glue can be applied in two beads across the minor flaps  102   a,    102   b  at a location through the glue nozzle access hole  506  for a first bead, and at a location below the retaining guide  504  for a second bead. Further details regarding glue application will be described below. It should be noted that the retaining guide  504  is not required for some carton designs such as carton  100 , and an operator can remove the retaining guide  504  for packing operations on such designs. Following the application of glue, a carton  100  can travel beyond the apparatus  500  where additional structures, such as static guides and/or folding wheels, are brought into contact with the carton  100  due to conveyor motion, which push the bottom end flap  306  against the uncured glue on the minor end flaps  102   a,    102   b  to close the carton  100 . 
         [0053]    When the apparatus is used to pack cartons such as carton  300 , cartons  300  are moved past the apparatus  500 , where a front edge  800  of the retaining guide  504  contacts the cartons  300  at a point along the minor flaps  302   a,    302   b  so as to hold the minor flaps  302   a,    302   b  in a closed position around and/or against a product loaded into the carton  300  by machine elements upstream of the conveyor line from apparatus  500 . While the minor flaps  302   a,    302   b  are held in this closed position, glue can be applied to a front surface of the minor flaps  302   a,    302   b.  Referring to  FIG. 5 , glue can be applied to the minor flaps  302   a,    302   b  at a location below the retaining guide  504 . Further details regarding glue application will be described below. Following the application of glue, the cartons  300  can travel beyond the apparatus  500  where additional structures are brought into contact with the carton  300 , due to conveyor motion, which pushes the bottom end flap  306  against the uncured glue on the minor flaps  302   a,    302   b  to close the carton  300 . 
         [0054]    If the conveyor motion is stopped during the packaging process, one or more cartons  100 ,  300 , to which glue has been applied but that have not traveled beyond the apparatus  500 , can be present on the conveyor line in front of the apparatus  500 . If the conveyor line is not started again before the glue cures, these cartons  100 ,  300  may not be closed when the conveyor is later restarted. To prevent this undesirable occurrence, the apparatus  500  includes cycle stop features that can be used to close the bottom flaps  106 ,  306  of any cartons  100 ,  300  to which glue has been applied, but are present in front of the apparatus  500  when the conveyor motion has been stopped. The cycle stop features of the apparatus  500  are compatible with cartons such as carton  100  and cartons such as carton  300 . In use with either type of carton, the cycle stop features provide means for holding the minor flaps  102   a,    102   b,    302   a,    302   b  while the bottom end flap  106 ,  306  is folded upwardly and over the minor flaps  102   a,    102   b,    302   a,    302   b  to seal the carton  100 ,  300 . 
       Cycle Stop Operation 
       [0055]    An exemplary cycle stop operation will now be described. For a cycle stop operation during packaging of cartons such as carton  100 , the retaining guide  504  can be removed as it is not needed to close the carton  100 . In addition, the cam bar  534  can be removed, as well as the spring loaded compression bar  510 . When the conveyor is stopped, the actuation cylinder  512  can be operated to extend its length causing the articulating track bar  518  to follow the lower tracks  522   a,    522   b.  The movement of the articulating track bar  518  will cause the slide rods  526   a,    526   b  to first swing up into positions where they are substantially parallel to the slide rods  540   a,    540   b  and to the Y axis. This motion will cause the cycle stop compression plate  508  to make contact with the open bottom flaps  106  of one or more unclosed cartons  100  in front of the apparatus  500 , and to fold the bottom flaps  106  upwardly to a position where the bottom flaps  106  stand almost upright in front of the respective pairs of the minor flaps  102   a,    102   b  of those cartons  100 . The slide rods  540   a,    540   b  can remain in position so that the means for holding the minor flaps, here retaining bar  502 , holds the minor flaps  102   a,    102   b  closed while the cycle stop operation is performed. Further extension of the actuation cylinder  512  causes the articulating track bar  518  to move to the leftmost end of the lower tracks  522   a,    522   b.  This motion can cause the slide rods to slide out from the pivot blocks  528   a,    528   b  to the left in a positive Y direction (as shown in  FIG. 8 ) further causing the cycle stop compression plate  508  to move the bottom flaps  106  to the respective minor flaps  102   a,    102   b,  until the bottom flaps  106  are pressed in face contacting relation against the uncured glue on their respective minor flaps  102   a,    102   b  to close the cartons. 
         [0056]    Another exemplary cycle stop operation will now be described. For cycle stop operation on cartons such as carton  300 , the retaining guide  504 , cam bar  534 , and the spring loaded compression bar  510  are in place as in the configuration shown in  FIG. 8 . When the conveyor is stopped, one or more cartons  300 , having glue applied but not yet closed, may be present in front of the apparatus  500 . Here, the edge  800  of the retaining guide  504  functions as means for holding the minor flaps  302   a,    302   b  of these cartons  300  closed. It can been seen in  FIG. 8  that if the cycle stop operation were to merely function as it did for cartons  100 , the cycle stop compression plate  508  would likely strike the retaining guide  504 . The use of the cam bar  534  prevents this from occurring. It can be seen in  FIG. 5 , that the cam bar  534  will move along with the slide rods  526   a,    526   b  during operation of the actuation cylinder  512 . Referring back to  FIG. 8 , as the actuation cylinder  512  is extended from a retracted position, the slide rods  526   a,    526   b  swing up into positions where they are substantially parallel to the slide rods  540   a,    540   b  and to the Y axis. As the actuation cylinder  512  is further extended, the cam bar  534  makes-contact with the bottom surface  600   a,    600   b,  of the pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b  causing the slide rods  540   a,    540   b  to rotate about an axis that is located approximately at the center of the pivot bar  530 , until the slide rods  540   a,    540   b  out of the way of the forward motion (in the Y direction) of the cycle stop compression plate  508 . 
         [0057]    If a radius is drawn from the center of the pivot bar  530  to the front edge  800  of the retaining guide  504  that rotation as described above could cause the front edge  800  of the retaining guide  504  to rotate into cartons  300  that are in front of the apparatus  500 . Such contact between the cartons  300  and the retaining guide  504  could result in damage to the cartons  300 , the contents of the cartons  300 , or in moving the cartons  300  off of the conveyor. This potential problem is alleviated by the use of means for retracting the retaining guide  504 , such as the retracting track bar  544 . The retracting track bar  544 , as described above, follows upper tracks  545   a,    545   b  in plates  520   a,    520   b.  Also, as described above, the slide rods  540   a,    540   b  have rounded notches  800   a,    800   b  ( 800   a  is not visible in the perspective shown) that rest on the retracting track bar  544 . As the track bar  544  follows the tracks  545   a,    545   b,  the motion of the track bar  544  causes the slide rods  540   a,    540   b  to retract into the pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b.  Pivot block openings  800   a,    800   b  can prevent this motion of the slide rods  540   a,    540   b  from causing binding at the retracting track bar  544 . Any air in the pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b  compressed by this motion can escape through air holes  542   a,    542   b.  The profiles of the surfaces  600   a,    600   b,  and of the tracks  545   a,    545   b,  are designed to keep the front edge  800  of the retaining guide  504  in contact with the minor flaps  302   a,    302   b  for as long as possible before the retaining guide  504  is rotated out of the way to avoid contact with the cycle stop compression plate  508 . It can be seen in  FIG. 8 , that the shape of the retaining guide  504  is designed so as to taper away from the forward motion of the cycle stop compression plate  508 , to hold the minor flaps  302   a,    302   b  of the carton  300  closed for as long as possible. 
         [0058]    The spring loaded compression bar  510  can be set so as to make initial contact with the bottom flap  306  of the carton  300  as the slide rods  526   a,    526   b  are extended. The compression bar  510  can help to maintain a tight closure of the minor flaps  300   a,    300   b  as the retaining guide  504  is rotated upward. 
         [0059]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective sectional view of the apparatus  500  where the actuation cylinder  512  is at substantially full extension, placing the track bar  518  at the leftmost end of the tracks  522   a,    522   b.  The retaining guide  504  is shown having been rotated and retracted out of the way due to the movement of the cam bar  534  contacting the pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b  and the track bar  544  retracting the slide rods  540   a,    540   b  into the pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b.    
       Glue Delivery  
       [0060]    Due to the taller minor end flaps  102   a,    102   b  of carton  100 , two glue beads can be used to close its end flaps  102   a,    102   b.  In contrast, only a single glue bead is used to close the shorter end flaps  300   a,    300   b  of the carton  300 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 10  shows a glue nozzle arrangement that can be used for the apparatus  500  when the apparatus  500  is configured for packaging operations for cartons such as carton  100 . Two glue nozzles  1000   a,    1000   b  are positioned such that an imaginary line drawn between their outlets is substantially parallel to the Z axis. The glue nozzles  1000   a,    1000   b  can be actuated to each provide a bead of glue L 1 , L 2  (shown in  FIG. 15 ) across each of the minor end flaps  102   a,    102   b  as the conveyor brings them past, resulting in two beads of glue L 1 , L 2  on each minor flap  102   a,    102   b  as cartons  100  pass by the apparatus  500  on a conveyor. A glue nozzle access hole  506  is provided in the retaining guide  504 . The access hole  506  is an aperture, slot, or other opening that may be elongated and curved to coincide with the rotation of the glue nozzle  1000   a.  The glue guns  1004   a,    1004   b  ( 1004   a  is not visible in the view provided by  FIG. 10 ) are mounted to the glue gun assembly bracket  1002 . 
         [0062]    Where the packaging apparatus  500  is configured for use with cartons such as carton  300 , only one bead of glue is needed on each of the end flaps  302   a,    302   b.  To apply a single bead of glue L 1  on each of the minor end flaps  300   a,    300   b,  the upper nozzle  1000   a  could merely be disabled such that it does not dispense glue, with the lower nozzle  1000   b  dispensing a single bead of glue L 2  on each of the minor flaps  302   a,    302   b.  Leaving one glue nozzle  1000   a,    1000   b  idle, however, can result in burning and/or charring of the glue in the idle nozzle  1000   a,    1000   b.  This can lead to clogging of a glue nozzle  1000   a,    1000   b.    
         [0063]    The present disclosure overcomes this problem by introducing a rotating glue application assembly  1006 , which is shown, although partially obstructed, in  FIG. 10 . As used herein, the term rotating indicates that the assembly  1006  is capable of rotating to change the orientation of the arrangement of nozzles  1000   a,    1000   b.  In  FIG. 10 , the rotating glue application assembly  1006  is positioned so that glue nozzles  1000   a,    1000   b  are oriented vertically for applying two glue beads spaced apart by the vertical distance between the nozzles  1000   a,    1000   b.    FIG. 11  shows the assembly  1006  positioned so that the nozzles  1000   a,    1000   b  are both located below the retaining guide  504 . The nozzles in this configuration are oriented horizontally, an imaginary line drawn between their outlets being substantially parallel to the X axis. To prevent burned glue from clogging a glue nozzle  1000   a,    1000   b,  each of the glue nozzles  1000   a,    1000   b  are used to place a respective bead of glue onto the minor flaps  300   a,    300   b  of the carton  300  as it moves past on the conveyor. The timing of the glue dispensing of the glue guns  1004   a,    1004   b  can be set so that glue gun  1004   a  places a single bead on minor flap  302   b  and glue gun  1004   b  places a single bead on minor flap  302   b.    
         [0064]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the rotating glue gun assembly  1006  from a viewing position located behind the glue guns  1004   a,    1004   b.  In the view shown, the assembly  1006  is rotated as it is in  FIG. 11 , that is, with the glue nozzles  1000   a,    1000   b  in a horizontal orientation. From the perspective of  FIG. 12 , features of the static mounting bracket  1200  and the glue gun assembly bracket  1002  that enable rotation of the glue gun assembly can be seen. The static mounting bracket  1200  includes grooves  1204  and  1208 . The grooves have a width that is capable of accepting shafts of the glue gun assembly retention bolt  1202  and the retention tab  1206 . It should be understood that the retention bolt  1202  can alternatively include a retention nut which threads onto a shaft of the glue gun assembly bracket  1002 . The retention bolt  1202  can optionally have a non-threaded initial section beyond the bolt head having a non-threaded length less than the thickness of the static mounting bracket  1200 . The non-threaded portion can have a diameter that is slightly less than the width of the groove  1204 . The sides of groove  1204  can contact the unthreaded portion (rather than the threaded portion) of the retention bolt  1202  during rotation of the glue gun assembly to reduce play and to ensure that the threads of the retention bolt  1202  are not damaged. 
         [0065]    A retention tab  1206  with a head portion and a shaft portion can be included. The head portion has a diameter greater than the groove  1208  so as to hold the glue gun assembly in the groove  1208 , and a face of the glue gun assembly bracket  1002  substantially flush with a face of the static mounting bracket  1200 . A washer or pad  1218  can be placed between the glue gun assembly bracket  1002  and the static mounting bracket  1200 . 
         [0066]    When tightened, the retention bolt  1202  holds the glue gun assembly in place to prevent rotation. When the retention bolt  1202  is loosened, the glue gun assembly can be rotated in a path defined by the movement of the retention bolt  1202  and the retention tab  1206  in the grooves  1204  and  1208 , respectively. Static mounting bracket  1200  material is removed from an area  1216  to permit rotation of the glue gun assembly, preventing the static mounting bracket  1200  from interfering with the pneumatic valve plumbing  1210   a,    1210   b  of the glue guns  1004   a,    1004   b.  The glue guns  1004   a,    1004   b,  the glue gun assembly bracket  1002 , a glue input  1214 , and a glue heater  1212  can all rotate with the rotation of the glue gun assembly. 
         [0067]      FIG. 13  shows a close up perspective view of the glue gun assembly  1006  where the glue gun assembly  1006  is rotated to a position where the glue gun nozzles  1000   a,    1000   b  have a horizontal orientation.  FIG. 14  shows a close up perspective view of the glue gun assembly  1006  where the glue gun assembly is rotated to a position where the glue gun nozzles  1000   a,    1000   b  have a vertical orientation. 
         [0068]    The grooves  1204  and  1208  and the area  1216  permit 90 degrees of rotation of the glue gun assembly. The glue gun assembly  1006  need not be set at the extremes of rotation, as shown as first orientation I and third orientation III in  FIG. 15 . Alternatively, intermediate angles of rotation, examples of which are shown as second orientation II, allow the apparatus to apply glue beads L 1 , L 2  having adjustable spacing. Where the glue gun nozzles  1000   a,    1000   b  have a horizontal orientation, they each apply a glue bead L 1 , L 2  to cooperatively define a single composite line of glue L 1 +L 2 . Rotating the glue gun assembly varies the spacing of the applied beads L 1 , L 2  from a minimum spacing, when the glue nozzles  1000   a,    1000   b  are in a horizontal orientation, to a maximum spacing when the glue nozzles are in a vertical orientation. 
       Alternative Cycle Stop Mechanism and Operation 
       [0069]    An alternative embodiment of a packaging apparatus  1500  is shown in  FIG. 14 . The structure and operation of apparatus  1500  is substantially similar to that of apparatus  500 . The elements and operations of apparatus  1500  that differ from the embodiment discussed above will be described here. 
         [0070]    The apparatus  500  employs a single actuation cylinder  512 . In some cases the force needed to swing the cycle stop compression plate  508  up following the tracks  522   a,    522   b  and subsequently lift the retaining guide  504  and slot rods  540   a,    540   b  through contact of the cam bar  534  with the pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b  can be so great so as to cause the cycle stop compression plate  508  to contact the bottom flap of a carton more abruptly than is desirable. The apparatus  1500  requires less force to be applied by the actuation cylinder  512  so that a gentler contacting of the cycle stop compression plate  508  against the carton can be achieved. 
         [0071]    Apparatus  1500  includes a second actuation cylinder, a retaining guide actuation cylinder  1502  that can control the rotation of pivot block  1501 , the slot rods  540   a,    540   b,  and the retaining guide  504 . The two pivot blocks  536   a,    536   b  of apparatus  500  are replaced in apparatus  1500  with the single pivot block  1501 . The pivot block  1501  includes air holes  1506   a,    1506   b  to permit air to escape during sliding of the slot rods  540   a,    540   b  into and out of the tunnels in the pivot block  1501 . Bolts  1508   a,    1508   b  hold bracket  1504  to the back of the pivot block  1501 . A first end of the retaining guide actuation cylinder  1502  pivotally connects to the bracket  1504  at a pivot point  1514 . A second end of the actuation cylinder  1502  pivotally connects to an attachment bracket  1510  at a pivot point  1512 . 
         [0072]    During steady-state carton loading operations, the cycle stop compression plate  508  remains in a lowered position. When an operator of the packaging apparatus  1500  initiates a cycle stop operation due to a conveyor stoppage, or some other non-emergency event such as no remaining product to be loaded or a low amount of non-erected cartons in the carton hopper, the actuation cylinder  512  extends and the track bar  518  follows tracks  522   a,    522   b.  This movement of the track bar  518  causes the cycle stop compression plate  508  to swing up until the slide rods  526   a,    526   b  become substantially parallel to the slide rods  540   a,    540   b.  The cam bar  534  then contacts the surfaces  1520   a,    1520   b  of the pivot block  1501 . The movement of the track bar  518  in the tracks  522   a,    522   b  is then halted by the cam bar making contact with the surfaces  1520   a,    1520   b.  The pivot block  1501  is held in place by a force exerted by the retaining guide actuation cylinder  1502  in a negative P direction (as shown on the actuation cylinder  1502 ). Therefore, the cam bar  534  of the apparatus  1500  acts as a latch to prevent further movement of the cycle stop compression plate  508  once the cam bar  534  makes contact with the surfaces  1520   a,    1520   b.    
         [0073]    For movement of the cycle stop compression plate  508  to continue toward the cartons  100 ,  300  on the conveyor, the actuation cylinder  1502  releases the pressure applied in the negative P direction and applies a force in the positive P direction to rotate the retaining guide  504  up and out of the way of the cycle stop compression plate. The slide rods  540   a,    540   b,  retract into the pivot block  1501  to prevent the retaining guide  504  from striking cartons during its upward rotation. The retraction is implemented by the track bar  544  as described above regarding apparatus  500 . 
         [0074]    The actuation cylinder  512  and the actuation cylinder  1502  can be pneumatic cylinders, in which case the relative air pressures used in the actuation cylinders  512 ,  1502  can be adjusted for proper operation. The apparatus  1500  permits the use of a lower air pressure in the actuation cylinder  1502  than that used in an actuation cylinder  512  of the apparatus  500  the force required from this cylinder is reduced due to it no longer being required to lift the retaining guide  504  through the movement of the cam bar  534 . Instead, the cam bar  534  acts as a latch and the retaining guide  504  is rotated by the operation of the actuation cylinder  1502 . Using a lower pressure in the actuation cylinder  512  can be desirable as use of lower pressure can prevent the cycle stop compression plate  508  from slamming abruptly into cartons  100 ,  300  on the conveyor. 
         [0075]      FIG. 14  also shows the apparatus  1500  in relation to a conveyor  1600  transporting a carton  300 . The apparatus  1500  is mounted to the packaging machine  1602 . The packaging machine  1602  can include additional elements that perform carton packing functions both upstream and downstream of the conveyor path of the apparatus  1500 . The apparatus  500  can be similarly positioned relative to a conveyor. 
         [0076]    The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that glue may be applied in continuous or broken lines, or as dots, and thus, that all reference to beads of glue should be construed in the context of a rapidly moving serial process in that even intermittent dots of glue, in the aggregate, will approximate lines. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.