US3589248A

US3589248A - Packaging machine with continuous motion sealer

Info

Publication number: US3589248A
Application number: US835008A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert F Lense
Original assignee: Riegel Paper Corp
Current assignee: Riegel Paper Corp
Priority date: 1969-06-20
Filing date: 1969-06-20
Publication date: 1971-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-29
Also published as: GB1290754A; DE2030177A1; SE376396B

Abstract

A continuous motion machine for attaching a sealing strip to the open ends of a series of cartons as the cartons are advanced oneby-one in upright positions along a first path at a high rate of speed. The cartons comprise a pair of opposed end panels, a pair of opposed side panels and sealing flaps hinged to the top and bottom of each panel. Each carton is held on three sides by a Ushaped holder which is movably mounted on a frame, and the cartons are advanced through a sealing station in which the sealing strip is applied to the bottom of the cartons by a sealer. The sealer moves into pressing engagement with the ends of a series of cartons and moves with the latter through the sealing station. Rollers are journaled on the holders and bear against the frame so that the pressure exerted by the sealer is transmitted through the holders and the rollers to the frame. So that the cartons are supported on all sides during sealing, an elongated pressure-transmitting member is moved into engagement with the holders as the latter move through the sealing station. This pressure-transmitting member extends across the end faces of the legs of each U-shaped holder to close the open side of the U and to transmit a proportional share of the sealing pressure to the rollers on the holders.

Description

United States Patent Inventor Robert F. Lense Rocklord, Ill. Appl. Nov 835,008 Filed June 20,1969 Patented June 29, 1971 Assignee Riegel Paper Corporation New York, N.Y.

PACKAGING MACHINE WITH CONTINUOUS MOTION SEALER 16 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. Attorney-Wolfe, Hubbard, Leydig, Voit & Osann ABSTRACT: A continuous motion machine for attaching a sealing strip to the open ends of a series of cartons as the cartons are advanced one-by'one in upright positions along a first path at a high rate of speed. The cartons comprise a pair of 0p. posed end panels, a pair of opposed side panels and sealing flaps hinged to the top and bottom of each panel. Each carton is held on three sides by a U-shaped holder which is movably mounted on a frame, and the cartons are advanced through a sealing station in which the sealing strip is applied to the bottom of the cartons by a sealer. The sealer moves into pressing engagement with the ends of a series of cartons and moves with the latter through the sealing station. Rollers are journaled on the holders and bear against the frame so that the pressure exerted by the sealer is transmitted through the holders and the rollers to the frame. So that the cartons are supported on all sides during sealing, an elongated pressure-transmitting member is moved into engagement with the holders as the latter move through the sealing station. This pressuretransmitting member extends across the end faces of the legs of each U-shaped holder to close the open side of the U and to transmit a proportional share of the sealing pressure to the rollers on the holders.

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PATENIEU JUH29 Ian SHEET W 0F 5 21? Z/WW A/ PACKAGING MACHINE WITlhl CONTINUOUS MOTION SEALER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a continuous motion machine for sealing the ends of upright cartons with spaced-apart end panels, spaced-apart side panels, and generally horizontally extending sealing flaps attached to the panels as the cartons are advanced one-by-one along a predetermined path through a sealing station. More particularly, the invention relates to a machine for sealing a sealing strip over the open ends of the cartons and to the flaps. The cartons are supported and advanced by holders which are mounted on the frame of the machine for movement along the path.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the present invention is to advance the cartons through the sealing station at a higher speed than has been possible heretofore by reducing the friction created between the frame and the holders due to the pressure exerted on the holders during sealing of the cartons. I

It is a related object to accomplish the above through the provision of antifriction bearings active in the sealing station to transmit from the holders to the frame the sealing pressure exerted against the ends of the cartons and transmitted to the holders.

It is a more detailed object to provide a novel packaging machine with rollers mounted on the holders and adapted to ride along the frame through the sealing station.

It is a further object to provide in the sealing station a unique member which forms a continuation of the holders during the advance of the cartons through the sealing station not only to assist the holders in supporting the cartons during sealing but also to assist in transmitting the pressure exerted by the sealer against the cartons.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following'detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE. DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the path of the cartons through two scaling stations and showing portions of sealers for applying the sealing strip.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the cartons with the sealing stripsealed to the bottom end of the cartons.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 4 and showing part of a machine embodying the novel features of the present invention including a new and improved holder.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross section taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross section taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross section taken substantially along the line 6-6 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of the mechanism for sealing the cartons.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the carton and carton holder of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. It) is an enlarged cross section taken substantially along the line 10-10 of FIG. 7.

FIG. III is an enlarged cross section taken substantially along the line Ill-I1 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the in- .eiiion is embodied in a continuous motion packaging machine operable to seal a sealing strip I0 (FIG. I) to the open ends of upright cartons II which are advanced continuously along a path 12 through a first sealing station 13 in which the scaling strip is applied to the lower ends of the cartons. The cartons advance from the first sealing station through a filling station 14 to be filled with measured amounts of product such as strawberries, and then advance through a second sealing station in which the sealing strip is sealed to the upper ends of the cartons. Since the structure in the sealing stations is substantially the same, only that in the first sealing station will be described in detail.

Each of the cartons I1 herein comprises a pair of opposed flexible side panels I6 and I7 (FIG. I) connected along opposite side margins to two narrow rectangular end panels 18 and I9. To help close the cartons, side flaps 20 and 21 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and

end flaps

22 and 23 are resiliently hinged to the upper and lower ends of the panels and can be folded over the ends of the cartons. The flaps of the cartons are plowed to horizontal positions as shown in FIG. 1 prior to entry of the cartons into the first sealing station 13.

In this instance, the cartons II are advanced along the path I2 through the sealing stations 13 and 15 and the filling station 114 on an endless conveyor comprising a pair of parallel horizontal chains 25 and 26 (FIG. 3) trained around vertically spaced sprocket wheels (not shown) journaled on a frame 27 and suitably driven. Each carton is supported for advancement along the path by a pair of vertically spaced holders 30 (FIGS. 3 and 5) which support the carton at the upper and lower end portions of the panels and back the

flaps

20, 22, and 23 when the flaps are in horizontal positions. The holders are rigidly connected to the

respective chains

25 and 26 for movement with the chains.

Since the upper and lower holders .30 are identical except for the upper holder being inverted with respect to the lower, only the lower holder will be described in detail. From FIG. 8, it will be seen that each holder is U-shaped with a web 31 connecting the inside ends of two

parallel legs

32 and 33 to leave the outer side of the holder open, and the web fits against and supports the inside panel I7 of one carton with the legs fitting against and supporting the

end panels

18 and 19 thus leaving the outside pariel l6 unsupported. With the U-shape of the holders, the cartons are initially placed within the holders through the open outer sides and are later removed from the A holders through the open outer sides. The free ends 34 of the legs are flat and extend generally parallel to the side panels 16 of the cartons.

As the cartons ll advance with continuous motion through the first sealing station 13, the sealing strip I0 is sealed across the open lower ends of the cartons and. to the

flaps

20, 21, 22, and 23 by heat and pressure applied by a sealer IIHFIG. 7). To seal the sealing strip to the cartons as the cartons move continuously through the sealing station, the sealer is mounted on the frame 27 to travel an orbital path in a vertical plane in timed relation with the advance of the cartons with a portion of the orbital path disposed parallel to and extending along side of the lower ends of the cartons. As the sealer travels the orbital path, the sealer moves from a first position up into pressing engagement with the ends of a group, herein six, of the cartons and then moves along the carton path 12 with the group of cartons to seal the sealing strip to the cartons. Next, after sealing is completed, the sealer moves downwardly away from the cartons and, finally, the sealer returns against the direction of advance of the cartons but out of contact with the cartons to the first position from which the sealer can move up into contact with the next group of cartons.

In this instance, the sealer 40 comprises a horizontal mounting bar 41 (FIGS. 7 and 9) supporting six sealing bars 42. Connected to the underside of the mounting bar are four horizontally spaced vertical mounting pins 43 which are connected at their lower ends to a support bar 44 (FIG. 7). To raise and lower the sealing bars into and out of pressing engagement with the ends of the cartons, the support bar is connected by a series of links to a pneumatic actuator 45. A pair of parallel, spaced apart links 46 are pivotally connected intermediate their ends to the frame 27 by pins 47, and rollers 48 journaled on the upper end portions of the links ride in a track 49 formed in the support bar. Below the pins 47, a connecting rod 50 is pivotally connected to and extends between the links, and the lower end portion of one of the links is pivotally connected to the rod 51 of the actuator 45. When the actuator is activated to extend or retract the rod 51, the links are forced by the connecting rod 50 to pivot in unison about the pins to raise or lower the support bar 44. in FIG. 7, the rod is shown extended and the sealer in its raised position with the sealing bars engaging the cartons.

Tomove the sealer 40 along the carton path 12 in engagement with the cartons and to return the sealer against the flow of thecartons out of engagement with the cartons, the two end mounting pins 43 are mounted for vertical sliding in sleeves 53 which are rigidly connected to a pair of cars 54 slidably mounted for horizontal movement on two vertically spaced parallel rods 55 extending through the sealing station 13 parallel to the path 12 and connected at opposite ends to the frame 27. To slide the cars 54 and thus the sealing bars horizontally along the rods, one of the cars is coupled by a connecting arm 56 to a chain 57 which is trained around and driven by two sprockets 58. As the connecting arm is moved by the chain around the sprockets, the cars are pulled and pushed along the rods. The movement of the cars along the rods is timed with the activation of the actuator 45 so that, as the sealer 40 moves with the cartons 11, the actuator positions the sealing bars 42 in pressing engagement with the ends of the cartons and, before the sealer moves against the flow of the cartons, the actuator lowers the sealer out of engagement with the cartons.

As the sealing strip is being sealed to the cartons 11, the cartons are separated by blades 60 (FIGS. 7 and 10) which are pushed into the carton path 12 to cut the sealing strip between the trailing flap 23 of each carton and the leading flap 22 of the following carton. For this purpose, a rock shaft 61 extending longitudinally of the carton path 12 and journaled on the mounting bar 411 is oscillated by a pneumatic actuator 62 (FIG. 7) which is anchored to and carried by the support bar 44. The blades are mounted on crank arms 63 which extend from the rock shaft and the blades extend slidably through the mounting bar 41 (FIG. 10). As the rock shaft is oscillated, the blades are raised and lowered. When the blades are raised, the latter are pushed through the sealing strip 10 to cut the latter and separate the cartons. With the rock shaft journaled on the mounting bar, the blades are moved through the sealing station 13 with thesealer 40 in timed relation with the advance of the cartons and thus cutting occurs during the advance of the cartons. The actuator 62 is activated in timed relation to the sealing of the sealing strip to the cartons so that, as the sealing strip is being sealed, the blades are raised to cut the sealing strip.

A large amount of pressure is exerted by the sealer 40 against the cartons 11 to seal the sealing strip 10 effectively across the open ends of the cartons and to the

flaps

20, 21, 22, and 23. This pressure is transmitted through the flaps to the holders 30 and from the holders to the frame 27 thus creating friction between the frame and the holders, and this friction can greatly limit the speed with which the cartons can advance through the sealing station 13.

in accordance with the present invention, antifriction bearings 65 (FIG. 8) active in the sealing station 13 are arranged between the holders 30 and the frame 27 to transmit the sealing pressure exerted on the cartons 11 by the sealer 40 from the holders to the frame while greatly reducing the friction which results from the sealing pressure forcing the holders against the frame. For these purposes, the antifriction bearings are journaled on the holders to ride on the frame through the sealing station 13, and a horizontally positioned elongated member 66 (FIG. 3) which extends longitudinally of the carton path 12 is moved into engagement with the free ends 34 of the legs 32 of the holders to transmit a portion of the sealing pressure exerted on the cartons to the holders and,

at the same time, to close the open side of each holder as that holder passes through the sealing station. With this arrangement, the cartons can be advanced through the sealing station more rapidly than has been possible heretofore, and the elongated member helps to support the cartons, and particularly the flaps, during the scaling of the sealing strip 10 to the cartons. v

Within the sealing station 13, the frame 27 is formed by a first member 67 (FIG. 3) which extends alongside the carton path 12 just outside of and above the free ends 34 of the legs 32 of the lower holders 30. The frame also includes a second member 68 which extends alongside the path along inner sides of the cartons. A longitudinally extending T-shaped slot 6? is formed in the top portion of the web 31 of each lower holder, and the second frame member 68 is formed with a depending T-shaped guide 70 which rides in the slot and guides the holder along the path.

In this instance four antifriction bearings 65 in the form of four ball bearing rollers are journaled on each holder 30 to ride on the

frame members

67 and 68 to transmit the sealing pressure exerted by the sealer 40 on the carton 11 from the holder to the frame members. The rollers are arranged on the holder so that two rollers are positioned to ride on each frame member. Two rollers are seated within and spaced along the T-shaped slot 69 and journaled on the web 31 of the holder by pins 71 (FIG. 8) to turn about the axes which extend laterally of the carton path 12. These rollers ride on the bottom 72 of the T-shaped guide 70 of the second frame member 68. The other two rollers are journaled on the free ends 34 of the legs 32 with one roller on each leg. These rollers are also journaled to rotate about axes which extend laterally of the carton path and ride on the underside of the first frame member 67.

The elongated member 66 is mounted to move through the sealing station 13 in engagement with the free ends 34 of the legs 32 of the lower holders 30 for each group ofsix cartons 1 1 as the sealer 40 seals the sealing strip 10 to those cartons. To accomplish this, the elongated member is long enough to engage at least six holders simultaneously and is moved along a horizontal path in timed relation with the advance of the cartons along the path. As the elongated member travels its horizontal path, the member'is moved into engagement with the holders and travels with the latter through the sealing station. The elongated member then is moved laterally away from the holders and returns against the flow direction of the cartons to a point from which it is moved'into' engagement with the next group of cartons to be sealed.

Herein, the elongated member is LJhaped in cross section with one leg 76 extending vertically and one leg 77 extending horizontally. To helpsupport the cartons during sealing, the horizontal leg 77 of the elongated member 66 engages the holders 30 with the bottom of the horizontal leg positioned flush with the bottom of the holders and with the carton flap 21 underlying the horizontal leg (see FIG. 3). As the sealing strip 10 is sealed to the

flaps

20, 21, 22, and 23, the elongated member 66 backs the flap 21 and absorbs the pressure of the sealing of the sealing strip to that flap. By the elongated member mo ing with each group of cartons and thus the flaps 21, no drag is created between the flaps 21 and the elongated member during sealing of the sealing strip to the flap as the cartons are advanced. Two lugs 78 (FIGS. 3 and 8) rigidly connected to the free end 3 of each leg 32 extend horizontally outwardly on either side of and below the roller 65 to be contacted by the upper surface of the horizontal leg '77 when the latter is positioned against the holders, and the lugs transmit the seating pressure from the elongated member to the hoider which, in turn, transmits this pressure to the frame member 67 through the outer roller 65. As explained above, the sealing strip is cut by the blades 60 moving up between the trailing flap 23 of each carton and the leading flap 2.2 of each following carton, and this is accomplished during sealing when the elongated member 66 is positioned against six holders. To make room for the blades to pass upwardly through the sealing strip during cutting, six notches 79 (P10. 3) are formed in the edge of the horizontal leg 77 and are spaced along the edge to mate with the positions of the blades.

Advantageously, the elongated member 66 is mounted to float both vertically and horizontally so that, as the elongated member moves into engagement with the holders 30, the elongated membcr can adjust to any variations in the actual location of the holders or the lugs 78. For this purpose, the elongated member is floatably mounted on a long flat mounting bar 80 (FIGS. 3 and 4) which supports the elongated member for movement about its horizontal path. As shown in FIG. 11, the elongated member is connected to the mounting bar by L- shaped brackets 81, and each L-shaped bracket is positioned with one leg 82 extending vertically and abutting the vertical leg 76 of the elongated member with a screw 82a connecting the two vertical legs rigidly together. The horizontal leg 83 of each L-shaped bracket rides in a slot 84 (FIG. 4) formed in the bottom of the mounting bar and is held on the mounting bar by a screw 85 (FIG. 11). To enable vertical floating of the elongated member, five Bellville springs 86 (FIG. 11) are telescoped over each screw 85 and are sandwiched between the screwhead and a washer 87 telescoped over the screw and bearing against the horizontal leg 83 of the L-shaped bracket. A slot 88 extending transversely of the mounting bar is formed in the horizontal leg 83 of each L-shaped bracket, and each screw 85 extends through one of the slots so that the horizontal leg 83 can slide as the sides of the slot slide past the screw to allow horizontal floating of the elongated member. A recess 89 is formed in the mounting bar alongside each screw 820 so that, as the elongated member moves toward the mounting bar, the screw telescopes into the recess. To bias the elongated member toward the holders 30, springs 90 (FIG. 6) partially telescoped into horizontal recesses 91 in the mounting bar bear against the vertical leg 76 of the elongated member.

In this instance, a drive mechanism is mounted on a portion of the frame 27 to move the elongated member 66 and the mounting bar 80 about the horizontal path described above in which the elongated member in engagement with the respective holders moves with successive groups of cartons through the sealing station 13. The drive mechanism comprises two pair of spaced-apart sprocket wheels 94 (FIG. 5) journaled on the frame to turn about vertical axes which lie on a straight line extending parallel to the carton path 12. A chain 95 is trained around each pair of sprocket wheels, and each pair of sprocket wheels with their associated chain is driven from a main drive shaft 96 (FIG. 4) extending horizontally along the machine above the sprocket wheels. To power one sprocket wheel of each pair, two gear boxes 97 are spaced along the drive shaft over the respective sprocket wheels and transmit the power from the drive shaft through vertical shafts 98 to the respective sprocket wheels. The idler sprocket wheel of each pair is journaled in an suspended from a plate 09 which is slidably adjustable along the frame 27 so that the exact position of one sprocket wheel of each pair can be adjusted as when replacing a chain 95.

A pair of vertically disposed riders 100 (FIGS. 3 and 4) are connected near their upper ends to the chains 95 with one rider being connected to each chain to follow the chains around the sprocket wheels 94 and, near their lower ends, the riders are connected to the mounting bar 80 so that the movement of the chains around the sprocket wheels 94 moves the mounting bar and thus elongated member 66 about their horizontal path. Each rider is connected rigidly to a respective chain to move with the chain and rotatably bushed in the mounting bar so that, as the rider and the chain move through a full orbit about a pair of sprocket wheels, the rider turns through a full 360 without placing any rotational stress on the mounting bar. For this purpose, each rider comprises a pin 101 (FIG. 3) with a head 102 at the upper end and, in the upper end portion, a U-shaped segment 103 which opens horizontally. One link of the chain 95 is positioned within the U-shaped segment, and the pin and chain are welded together. The lower end portion of the pin is of smaller diameter, extends through an oversized opening in the mounting bar, and

is journaled in the mounting bar by a bearing 104. To hold the mounting bar on the pin, a plate 10.5 with a bearing 106 is telescoped over the lower end portion of the pin, and a nut 107 is screwed on the lower end portion of the pin preventing the plate and the mounting bar from sliding downwardly off the pin.

So that each rider follows exactly the same path with the chain 95 around the sprocket wheels 94 each time, the rider is guided through the straight run of the chain to prevent the chain and rider from moving laterally under lateral pressure such as that caused by the elongated member 66 engaging the holders 30. To these ends, two rollers 108 (FIG. 3) are journaled on each pin, one just above the U shaped portion 103 and one just below. These rollers ride in guideways 110 and 111 formed in the frame 27. With the above arrangement, the mounting bar 80 and the elongated member 66 are moved about a horizontal orbital path by the riders as the latter are carried around the sprocket wheels by the chains. The chains are driven so that the elongated member is moved in timed relation with the advance of the cartons 11 in such a manner that, as the elongated member orbits, the latter is brought into contact with a group of at least six holders 30 thus closing the open sides of the holders, backing the flaps 21, and moving with holders and cartons as the latter are advanced along the carton path 12 through the scaling station 13. After the sealing strip 10 has been scaled to the cartons, the elongated member is moved out of contact with the holder and then is moved in an upstream direction to the point at which the elongated member is moved into contact with the holders for the next group of cartons to move through the sealing station.

It will be observed that the placement on the holders 30 of rollers 65 active within the sealing station 13 to transmit the sealing pressure of the sealer 40 from the holders to the

frame members

67 and 68 is a particularly advantageous arrangement. With this arrangement, friction between the holders and the frame which normally results from movement of the holders relative to the frame during sealing due to the pressure exerted by sealer is greatly reduced, and the cartons 11 can be advanced along the carton path 12 and through the sealing station more rapidly than has been possible heretofore. Additionally, the provision of the elongated member 66 movable into engagement with the holders 30 to close the open sides of the holders as the latter pass through the sealing station with the cartons is also particularly advantageous. With this arrangement, the combination of the holders and the elongated member provide backing for the

flaps

20, 21, 22 and 23 of the included cartons as the sealing strip 10 is sealed to these flaps, and the elongated member transmits the sealing pressure exerted against the flaps 21 through the lugs 78 to the holders to be transmitted by the rollers 65 to the frame member 67.

[claim as my invention:

1. In a continuous motion machine for sealing the ends of cartons as the cartons are advanced one-by-one in upright positions along a first predetermined path through a sealing station at a high rate of speed, the combination of, a frame, holders movably mounted on said frame and operable to support the cartons and advance the latter along said path, a sealer disposed within said sealing station, means for moving said sealer along a second predetermined path extending alongside and parallel to said first path through said sealing station, mechanism for placing and maintaining said sealer in pressing engagement with the ends of said cartons for sealing the cartons as the cartons are advanced through said sealing station, and antifriction bearings between said frame and said holders and active in said sealing station to transmit the sealing pressure exerted by said sealer against the ends of said car tons to said frame through the holders of the respective cartons thereby to reduce sliding friction between the holders and the frame to enable the cartons to continue to advance at a high rate of shaped through said sealing station during sealing of the ends of the cartons.

2. The machine of claim 1 in which said antifriction bearings are rollers rotatably mounted on said holders and riding along said frame through said sealing station.

3. In a continuous motion machine for sealing the end of cartons having spaced-apart end panels and spaced-apart side panels as the cartons are advanced one-by-one in upright positions along a first predetermined path at a high rate of speed through a sealing station with one end panel of each carton disposed in leading relationship, the combination of, a frame, holders movably mounted on said frame and operable to support the cartons and advance the latter along said path, each of said holders being U-shaped and having an open side and being formed by a web adapted to fit against one side panel and by two generally parallel legs connected to opposite ends of said web and adapted to fit against the end panels, a sealer disposed within said sealing station, means for moving said sealer along a second predetermined path extending alongside and parallel to said first path through said sealing station, mechanism for placing and maintaining said sealer in pressing engagement with the ends of the cartons for sealing the cartons as the cartons are advanced through said sealing station, said frame having a first member extending longitudinally of said first path and through said sealing station on one side of said first path and having a second member positioned on the other side of said first path and extending generally parallel to said first member, and antifriction bearings disposed on opposite sides of said first path and active in said sealing station to transmit the sealing pressure exerted by said sealer against the ends of said cartons to both of said frame members through the holders of the respective cartons thereby to reduce sliding friction between the holders and the frame members to enable the cartons to continue to advance at a high rate of speed through said sealing station during sealing of the ends of the cartons.

4. The machine of claim 3 in which said antifriction bearings are rollers journaled on said holders and riding along said frame members through said sealing station.

5. The machine of claim 4 further including pressure-transmitting means positioned in said sealing station to extend between and engage the free ends of the legs of said holders to close the open side of each holder in the sealing station and support the cartons as the latter advance through the sealing station so that the sealing pressure exerted by the sealer against the ends of the cartons is distributed evenly to said frame members.

6. The machine of claim 5 including a support and in which said pressure-transmitting means includes a rigid elongated member mounted'on said support and positioned parallel to said first path, and means connected to said support for moving said elongated member along a third path alongside and parallel to said first path through said sealing station in timed relation with the advance of the cartons to position said elongated member in engagement with the free ends of the legs of the holders and close the open sides of the holders.

7. The machine of claim 6 in which a lug extending outwardly from the free end of each leg and said elongated member, when in engagement with the free ends of said legs, being disposed between said sealer and said lugs to transmit a portion of the sealing pressure exerted by said sealer against the ends of the cartons to said holders through said lugs.

8. The machine of claim 7 in which said elongated member is mounted on said support for lateral floating and including resilient means for biasing said elongated member toward said holders whereby said elongated member can adjust to the location of said holders when moved into engagement with said free ends of said legs and is biased against the free ends of the legs when in engagement with the legs.

9. The machine of claim 8 in which said elongated member is mounted on said support for vertical floating and including second resilient means whereby said elongated member may be adjustably positioned between said sealer and said lugs.

10. In a continuous motion machine for applying a sealing strip to the open ends of generally upright cartons having two spaced-apart side panels, two spaced-apart end panels, and horizontally extending sealing flaps attached to the panels and adapted to be folded to cover the ends, the sealing strip being sealed to the flaps as the cartons are advanced one-by-one in upright positions along a first predetermined path through a sealing station at a high rate of speed with one end panel of each carton disposed in leading relationship, the combination of, a frame, holders movably mounted on said frame and operable to support the cartons and advance the latter along said path, each of said holders being U-shaped and having an open side and being formed by a web adapted to fit against one side panel and by two generally parallel legs connected to opposite ends of said web and adapted to fit against the end panels, a sealer disposed within said sealing station, means for moving said sealer along a second predetermined path extending alongside and parallel to said first path through said sealing station, mechanism for placing and maintaining said sealer in pressing engagement with the ends of said cartons to seal the sealing strip over the open ends and to the flaps as the cartons are advanced through said sealing station, pressure-transmitting means positioned in said sealing station to extend between and engage the free ends of the legs of the holders to close the open side of each holder in the sealing station and support the carton as the latter advance through the sealing station so that, as the sealing strip is applied to the ends of the cartons, the flaps are pressed between the sealer and the holder on one side of said first path and between the sealer and the pressure-transmitting means on the other side of said first path, and antifriction bearings active in said sealing station to transmit the sealing pressure exerted by said sealer to said frame through the holders of the respective cartons thereby to reduce sliding friction between the holders and the frame to enable the cartons to continue to advance at a high rate of speed through said sealing station during sealing of the cartons.

11. The machine of claim 10 in which said frame includes a first generally horizontal member positioned generally parallel to said first path along one side of said path and a second generally horizontal member positioned generally parallel to said first path along the other side of said path, and in which said antifriction bearings are rollers journaled on said holders and positioned to engage said frame members when the respective holders are in the sealing station.

12. The machine of claim 10 including a support and in which said pressure-transmitting means includes a rigid, elongated generally horizontal member positioned parallel to said first path, and means connected to said support for moving said elongated member in timed relation with the advance of the cartons along a third path extending alongside and parallel to said first path through said sealing station to position said elongated member in engagement with the free ends of the legs of the holders and between the free ends and said sealer.

13. The machine of claim 12 in which the free end of each leg is formed as a flat generally vertical surface, a lug extending outwardly from the free end of each leg, said elongated member, when in engagement with said free ends of said legs, being positioned between said lugs and said sealer with the flaps extending horizontally between said elongated member and said sealer on one side of said first path and the sealer and the holder on the other side whereby said elongated member and the holder serve as backing for the flaps during application of the sealing strip and the elongated member transmits a portion of the sealing pressure exerted by said sealer against the cartons to said holders through said lugs.

14. The device of claim 13 in which said elongated member is resiliently mounted on said support for lateral floating and including means for biasing said elongated member toward said holders whereby said elongated member can adjust to the location of said holders when the elongated member is moved into engagement with said free ends of said legs and is biased against the free ends of the legs when in engagement with the legs.

15. The device of claim 14 in which said elongated member is mounted on said support for vertical floating and including second resilient means whereby said elongated member may be positioned between said sealer and said lugs.

16. In a continuous motion machine for applying a sealing strip to the open ends of generally upright cartons having two spaced-apart side panels, two spaced-apart end panels, and horizontally extending sealing flaps attached to the panels and adapted to be folded to cover the ends, the sealing strip being sealed to the cartons as the cartons are advanced one-by-one in upright positions along a first predetermined path through a sealing station at a high rate of speed with one end panel of each carton disposed in leading relationship, the combination of, a frame, holders movably mounted on said frame and operable to support the cartons and advance the latter along said path, each of said holders being U-shaped and having an open side and being formed by a web adapted to fit against one side panel and by two generally parallel legs connected to opposite ends of said web and adapted to fit against the end panels, a lug extending outwardly from the free end of each leg, a sealer disposed within said sealing station, means for moving said sealer along a second predetermined path extending alongside and parallel to said first path through said sealing station, mechanism for placing and maintaining said sealer in pressing engagement with the ends of the canons for sealing the sealing strip over the open ends and to the flaps with the flaps disposed between the holders and the sealer as the cartons are advanced through said sealing station, said frame including a first generally horizontal member positioned generally parallel to said first path along one side of said first path and a second generally horizontal member positioned generally parallel to said first path along the other side of said first path, pressure-transmitting means positioned in said sealing station to extend between and engage the free ends of the legs of the holders to close the open side of each holder in the sealing station and support the cartons, said means including, a support, a rigid, generally horizontal, elongated member positioned parallel to said first path and mounted on said support, means for moving said elongated member in timed relation with the advance of the cartons along a third path extending alongside and parallel to said first path through said sealing station to position said elongated member in engagement with said free ends of said legs and between said lugs and said sealer with the flaps extending horizontally between said elongated member and said sealer on one side of said first path and the sealer and the holder on the other side of said first path so that the elongated member and the holder serve as a backing for the flaps during application of the sealing strip with the elon gated member transmitting a portion of the sealing pressure exerted by said sealer against said cartons to said holders through said lugs, and rollers journaled on said holders and riding along said frame members through said sealing station to transmit the sealing pressure exerted by said sealer on said holders to said frame members thereby to reduce sliding fric tion between the holders the frame members to enable the cartons to continue to advance at a high rate of speed through said sealing station during sealing of the cartons.

Claims

1. In a continuous motion machine for sealing the ends of cartons as the cartons are advanced one-by-one in upright positions along a first predetermined path through a sealing station at a high rate of speed, the combination of, a frame, holders movably mounted on said frame and operable to support the cartons and advance the latter along said path, a sealer disposed within said sealing station, means for moving said sealer along a second predetermined path extending alongside and parallel to said first path through said sealing station, mechanism for placing and maintaining said sealer in pressing engagement with the ends of said cartons for sealing the cartons as the cartons are advanced through said sealing station, and antifriction bearings between said frame and said holders and active in said sealing station to transmit the sealing pressure exerted by said sealer against the ends of said cartons to said frame through the holders of the respective cartons thereby to reduce sliding friction between the holders and the frame to enable the cartons to continue to advance at a high rate of shaped through said sealing station during sealing of the ends of the cartons.

6. The machine of claim 5 including a support and in which said pressure-transmitting means includes a rigid elongated member mounted on said support and positioned parallel to said first path, and means connected to said support for moving said elongated member along a third path alongside and parallel to said first path through said sealing station in timed relation with the advance of the cartons to position said elongated member in engagement with the free ends of the legs of the holders and close the open sides of the holders.

16. In a continuous motion machine for applying a sealing strip to the open ends of generally upright cartons having two spaced-apart side panels, two spaced-apart end panels, and horizontally extending sealing flaps attached to the panels and adapted to be folded to cover the ends, the sealing strip being sealed to the cartons as the cartons are advanceD one-by-one in upright positions along a first predetermined path through a sealing station at a high rate of speed with one end panel of each carton disposed in leading relationship, the combination of, a frame, holders movably mounted on said frame and operable to support the cartons and advance the latter along said path, each of said holders being U-shaped and having an open side and being formed by a web adapted to fit against one side panel and by two generally parallel legs connected to opposite ends of said web and adapted to fit against the end panels, a lug extending outwardly from the free end of each leg, a sealer disposed within said sealing station, means for moving said sealer along a second predetermined path extending alongside and parallel to said first path through said sealing station, mechanism for placing and maintaining said sealer in pressing engagement with the ends of the cartons for sealing the sealing strip over the open ends and to the flaps with the flaps disposed between the holders and the sealer as the cartons are advanced through said sealing station, said frame including a first generally horizontal member positioned generally parallel to said first path along one side of said first path and a second generally horizontal member positioned generally parallel to said first path along the other side of said first path, pressure-transmitting means positioned in said sealing station to extend between and engage the free ends of the legs of the holders to close the open side of each holder in the sealing station and support the cartons, said means including, a support, a rigid, generally horizontal, elongated member positioned parallel to said first path and mounted on said support, means for moving said elongated member in timed relation with the advance of the cartons along a third path extending alongside and parallel to said first path through said sealing station to position said elongated member in engagement with said free ends of said legs and between said lugs and said sealer with the flaps extending horizontally between said elongated member and said sealer on one side of said first path and the sealer and the holder on the other side of said first path so that the elongated member and the holder serve as a backing for the flaps during application of the sealing strip with the elongated member transmitting a portion of the sealing pressure exerted by said sealer against said cartons to said holders through said lugs, and rollers journaled on said holders and riding along said frame members through said sealing station to transmit the sealing pressure exerted by said sealer on said holders to said frame members thereby to reduce sliding friction between the holders the frame members to enable the cartons to continue to advance at a high rate of speed through said sealing station during sealing of the cartons.