Patent ID: 7886503

Claim:
An apparatus for closing and sealing a plurality of cases of different sizes, comprising: a case measuring stage, wherein a width and height of an open case are measured, wherein the open case is centered and its width measured by extension of rollers to contact opposed sides of the open case, and wherein a closed case height is calculated to be the height of the open case less half of the width of the open case; a case closing stage, comprising: a first carriage configured for movement to an operational height associated with the calculated height; and major and minor flap closing mechanisms to reconfigure the open case as a closed case, wherein the major flap closing mechanism is moved vertically on the first carriage according to the operational height, and wherein the major flap closing mechanism comprises a dynamic closing mechanism comprising: left and right contact bars, moved by left and right swing arms, respectively, the left swing arm and right swing arm pivoting about a left arm pivot axis and a right arm pivot axis, respectively, wherein the left arm pivot axis is on a right side of a centerline of the open case and the right arm pivot axis is on a left side of the centerline, and wherein the left and right swing arms are in a crossed relationship; left and right gear sets, extending from the left and right swing arms, respectively, the left and right gear sets meshing together to result in synchronous movement of the left and right swing arms; and a lever arm, extending from one of the left and right swing arms, the lever arm driven by a power source; a case sealing stage, vertically moveable on a second carriage, wherein movement of the second carriage moves a tape applicator to an initial height slightly above the calculated closed case height, before the case arrives at the case sealing stage, and moves the tape applicator from the initial height to an operational height after arrival of the case at the case sealing stage, wherein the operational height is slightly below the initial height, the case sealing stage having a secondary height detection subsystem to determine the operational height to which the second carriage is moved from the initial height, wherein the secondary height subsystem comprises a contact plate, movable and responsive to contact by the case, to measure closed case height, a slide mechanism to allow the contact plate to move in a vertical direction in response to contact with the case, and a damper mechanism to regulate contact plate response rate, and wherein the contact plate holds the major and minor flaps in a closed configuration and results in full closure of the major and minor flaps; and a conveyor comprising a transverse flight element to engage a rear face of a case and to move the case through the case closing and case sealing stages.