Patent ID: 7380389

Claim:
A bottom prefolding assembly for prefolding bottom panels of a package having a bottom wall formed along preformed creases, the bottom wall having gusset tips, the bottom prefolding assembly configured to infold the bottom gusset panels, leading panels and trailing panels of a carton and to in-fold the gusset panel tips of the bottom wall prior to forming a sealed carton bottom, the package being disposed on a rotating turret having a path that defines a plane, the bottom prefolding assembly comprising: a drive; first and second folding arms configured to contact the leading and trailing panels of the bottom wall and inwardly prefold the lead and trailing panels toward the carton bottom wall configuration, the first and second folding arms being operably connected to the drive; and a forming arm operably connected to the drive and movable with the first and second folding arms, the forming arm having a pair of pivotable finger elements mounted thereto, the finger elements each having a carton engaging portion to engage the panel portions forming the gusset tips and fold the panel portions forming the gusset tips in a direction opposite of the folding of the gusset panels; wherein the forming arm rotates about an axis and wherein the finger elements each pivot about axes, the finger elements' axes being parallel to and spaced from one another and being generally transverse to the forming arm axis.