Packaging machine with pivoting minor flap retainer and rotating glue gun assembly

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 mechanis...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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.

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.

Images