Patent ID: 7313895

Claim:
A form, fill and seal packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing a carton, the machine configured to mold a closure directly onto the carton, the carton having a preformed opening therein defined by an inner peripheral edge, the machine comprising: a carton erection station, the carton erection station adapted to receive a carton in a generally flat form and erect the flat form carton into a tubular form defining an internal carton region; a direct injection molding station having an internal mold tool and an external mold tool set, the internal mold tool received within the internal carton region and the external mold tool set overlying an outer portion of the carton, the external tool set being formed having first and second portions configured to move toward and engage one another in a closed position and away from one another in an open position, the internal mold tool and the external mold tool set configured to receive and secure a portion of the carton therebetween and defining a mold cavity with the portion of the carton disposed therein and the inner peripheral edge of the carton opening positioned within the mold cavity, the external mold tool set, when in the closed position, defining an opening therein from an outer portion extending and opening into the mold cavity, the direct injection molding station further including a polymer injection system received in the external mold tool set opening outside of the internal carton region, the injection system for injecting polymer into the mold cavity, wherein a closure is directly molded in place on the carton, the polymer encapsulating the inner peripheral edge of the carton opening disposed within the mold cavity, and a clamp assembly engageable with the external tool set to maintain the external tool set portions engaged with one another during molding of the closure; a filling station for filling the carton; and a sealing station for forming a seal on the carton.