US2330466A - Means and method for package closure - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 28, 1943. s. BE RG STEHN MEANS AND UETHOD FOR P'ACKAGE CLOSURE shaeia sheet- 1 INVENTOR. SAMUEL BE/{GS rem.

Filed Aug. 20,- 1941 ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 28, 1943. s. BERGSTEIN MEANS AND METHOD FOR PACKAGE CLOSURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 20 1941.

INVENTOR SAMUEL 55:?68 TEIN.

NM mm 8 lflflfl l IL .i v A 5 m s & M W a s i mm :5. .E .Y A. s fix av sm. 8% Q M5 mN un ATTORNEYS.

.28, 1943. s. BERGSTEIN 9 9 MEANS AND METHOD FOR PACKAGE CLOSURE Filed Aug. 20, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 EB? Q INVENTOR.

SAMUEL Bares Se t 28, 1943.

S. BERGSTEIN MEANS AND METHOD FOR PACKAGE CLOSURE Filed Aug. 20, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENT OR. 5/? MUEL BEQGS TEIN.

ATTORNEYS.

ATFORNEYS. 7

5 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

S. BERGSTEIN MEANS AND METHOD FOR PACKAGE CLOSURE Filed-Aug. 20, 194i c w w w m Nu Sept. 28, 1943.

(SAMUEL BERG-S rguv.

NW Q Patented Sept. 28, 1943 OFFICE MEANS AND METHOD FOR PACKAGE CLOSURE Samuel Bergstein, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to Robert Morris Bergstein and Frank David Bergstein, trustees Application August 20, 1941, Serial No. 407,638

25 Claims.

It is an object of my invention to provide a formed hinged cover closure for erect carton bodies. A further object of my invention is to provide novel constructions in connection therewith, in that the pre-formed outer closure cover protects an inner opening for the removal-of the contacts, providing a higher degree of sanitation than hitherto possible for containers used for milk and other similar fluid products. A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel means and method for the formation of lids in a continuous operation, and to automatically produce the container with the lids already in closed position, whereby when the containers then come off the packaging line, no further manipulation of the cover is necessary. I

Other objects of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the claims appended hereto as to the scope of my invention. a

Referring now to the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a carton blank formed in accoidance with my invention.

Fig. 2 shows the blank of Fig. 1 with a tubular liner; deposited thereon.

'9' Fig. 3 hows the carton in knock-down form. Fig. 4 shows the carton squared up preparatory to forming the bottom closure.

Fig. 5 shows a stage of operation encountered in the bottom closure.

Fig. 6 illustrates the carton after the bottom closure has been completed and the carton inverted preparatory to forming the upper closure or lid.

Fig's. '7, 8 and 9,,illustrate consecutive steps in forming the lid.

Fig. 10 illustrates the completed carton with the lid in raised position.

Figs. 11 and 12 are respectively a side elevation and plan view of a machine adapted for forming the lid closure of the carton, the drawings being semi-diagrammatic in character and having parts broken away with other parts in section and certain support members not essential to my invention omitted.

Fig. 13 is a section taken along line Iii-I3 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a plan view howing a modified carton blank formed in accordance with my'invention.

Fig. 15 shows thefirst step in forming the blank of Fig. 14 into a tubular member or carton.

Fig.- 16 shows the carton of Figs. 14 and 15 in its squared up position preparatory to forming an end closure.

Figs. 17 through 23 show consecutive steps in forming the upper end or lid closure.

Fig. 24 shows this modified carton with the lid in lifted position.

Fig. 25 shows a carton formed in accordance with a further modification of my invention.

Fig. 26 shows a fragment. of the blank employed in conjunction with the carton of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 shows a carton formed in accordance with another modification of my invention.

Fig. 28 is a semi-diagrammatic side elevation of a machine suitable for automatic closure of the modified cartons of'Figs. 24, 25 and 27, certain parts of the machine being omitted and other parts broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 29 i a semi-diagrammatic plan view of Fig. 28. I

Fig. 30 is a continuation of Fig. 28.

Fig. 31 is a continuation of Fig. 29, also being a plan view of Fig. 30, and

Fig. 32 is a perspective illustrating application of adhesive to bottom closure members of a carton.

' Referring now to Fig. 1, the blank here shown comprises a carton body, having four main body panels I, 2, 3 .and 4. Articulated to the panel I is the longitudinal glue fiap or panel 5 of the carton. Articulated to one end of the main carton body, which end will herein be referred .to as the bottom end. are closure flaps 6, I and 8.

Articulated to the other nd of the main carton body, which will be referred to as the top end, is the main lid flap 9 which is joined or articulated to main body panel I by the line of articulation 9a. The lid flap 9 has a front'lid wall It having corner connecting fiaps, Ilia and I 0b respectively articulated thereto. Also articulated to the lid flap 9 are side wall panels I I and I2.

In Fig. 2 is shown the blank in Fig. 1, with a flexible tubular liner I3, which liner can be made of greaseproof paper, Cellophane or the like, ad- I hesively secured to the carton body panels which it overlies. l'he areas A indicate adhesive on the inner surface of the carton body. Fig. 3 illustrates the next succeeding step wherein the carton panels I and 4 have been folded over, thereby securing the body to the inner tubular liner, and also securing the glue flap 5' to the carton panel 4, thus forming the lengthwise seam of the outer carton body. Since the lining of a tubu lar container of this type may be carried out by machines and methods such as shown in Robert Morris Bergsteins patents, Re. 20,789 and 2,166,388, a detailed description of this Operation of the present invention.

.Thus, in Fig. 3, is shown a fiat-folded prelined tubular container; in which form the container is shipped to the point of packaging and filling. The first step'in preparing the package is the squaring up of the carton, to erect form as shown in Fig. 4 which action likewise squares up the inner liner. Thereupon the bottom closure of the erected container may be carried out, which can be done as shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,206,761, or which canbe carried out by machines and methods such as disclosed in the pending application of the present applicant and L. J. Van Guelpen, Serial No. 353,402. By such machines as those just referred to, or by hand, the extending bottom portion of the liner is fiattened and elongated and then either folded over or heat sealed, or both. Fig. 5 shows the carton with the liner folded down and overlying the fiaps 6 and l which fiaps are next turned inwardly, after which the bottom closure flap 8 of the carton is folded and secured either by adhesive or frictionally as desired, completing the bottom closure.

This container is now ready for filling with the desired contents, and the subsequent steps after filling are shown in the next succeeding series of drawings 6 through 9. This series of drawings shows-the order of folding steps and the position of the carton during folding, and these stages correspond to the stages on the machine'shown in Figs. 11 through 13, as described below in more detail.

As shown in Fig. 6, the first step in the formation of the lid closure consists in folding over the lid fiap 9 at right angles about its line of articulation 9a, whereafter the lid fiap overlies the open top end of the carton body as shown in Fig. 7. l I

Thereafter as also shownin Fig. '7, the front lid wall It] is folded downwardly at right angles to overlie the panel 3 of the carton body. Next, asin Fig. 8, fiaps Ma and Illb, articulated to the lid wall, are folded at right angles to lie parallel to the corresponding side wall panels. In this figure, adhesive has been applied to, the comer flaps as indicated at A on the flap IUb. However, if desired the adhesive may be applied to the under surfaces of panels II and i2, the adhesive being confined to those areas of the panels which will overlie the flaps Illa and lllb.

The final stage of completing the closure as shown in Fig. 9 is the folding down of the opposite pair of lid side walls H and I2 to overlie the previously folded corner flaps. Pressure is applied to secure adhesion therebetween and the container is ready for shipment.

When the consumer receives the package, it is merely necessary to lift the lid as shown in Fig.

10 to expose the contents, and this form of container as shown is particularly adapted to lard and other shortenings, etc. as it can be seen that when the lid is raised the complete upper surface of the contents is exposed so that lard, for example, can be readily spooned out of the package. After removing a portion of the contents the lid may again be placed down in position thus providing an excellent and simple re-closure feature.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12. I have illustrated a simple machine for forming the top closure or lid of the carton just described. As here shown,

a conveyor chain indicated by the broken lines l5 has attached by means of pins or studs IS a ball will engage certain indentations in the lower surface of the gear 2| and thus frictionally retain the gear 2i and, its associated elements in the positions required and presently described.

Fixed to rotate with the plates 20 and gears 2 l, cage members or retainers for the cartons are generally indicated at 24, The cage members 2| aremade up of an upright element 25 having affixed thereto a platform or shelf 26 and a pair of U-shaped brackets or arms 21 and 21a.

Referring now to the right end of Fig. 11 the carton C (with or without the contents inserted), is placed in the cage with its top closure flap 9 extending upwardly. The carton rests on shelf member 26 and is retained thereon-between the arms 21 and 21a. As the carton thus held in the cage is carried to the left as indicated by the arrows, the upstanding flap 9 is engaged by a curved bar 28 which folds the fiap downward to overlie the carton body as per the carton seen at D. Further movement to the left then causes a curved bar 29 to engage the front lid wall l0 and fold same downwardly to overlie the front wall 3 of the carton body as shown at E. This position of the fiaps and panels corresponds to that shown in perspective in Fig. 'I. Thereafter and as the assembly is carried to the left. the gear ii is engaged by a short rack member 30 which is so arrangedas to rotate the gear 2| and consequently the cage 24 and the carton through an arc of degrees. Thus, the carton is turned through one quarter of a revolution and the lines of articulation of flaps H and I2 will now be parallel to the direction of travel. The carton carrying means or cage will be frictionally retained in this new position by the spring pressed ball 23 which will engage a suitably located indentation in gear 2|.

As the assembly passes beyond the rack 30. and with the carton being conveyed in its new orientation, the outward extending corner flaps Illa and 3b are engaged by bars 3| and 3la which fold the said fiaps inwardly against the carton body to the position seen at F or as shown in perspective in Fig. 8, Also as seen at F the flaps I 0a and lb are coated with adhesive as they pass the glue rolls 32 and 320. which rolls are supplied by'adhesive from glue pots 33 and 33a by suitable intermediate rollers 34.

After passing the glue rolls the side wall panels H and I2 of the lid are engaged by curved bars 35and 36 which turn the flaps downward to overlie the corner flaps Illa and lllb as indicated at position G. The carton is then completed and may pass between pressure rolls or belts indicated at 31 and 38 to insure proper adhesion of the lid members.

It may be desirable to use a hot melt or molten type of adhesive which sets by chilling and to this end, I have indicated a heating element 39 beneath the glue pot 33.

I am, however, not restricted to the type of glue pot and application means shown. For many uses I prefer to use glue pots each containing a glue wheel lying in a vertical plane. Each glue wheel carries one or more raised pads or applicators, and is timed in its rotation with the movements of the cartons so as to apply the glue to the side wall panels II and I2 in the required II), but are free at their lower rear corners.

areas instead of to the flaps I a and IN). Such glue wheel devices are analogous to those in current use and will be readily understood. They have an advantage for hot melt application in that there is less exposure of the hot adhesive to lower temperatures prior to actual application.

It may be noted at this point that in the finished carton of Fig. 9 the top side wall panels I I and I2 are bound at their front ends to the flap If in, any process of handling or packing the cartons into larger containers these free corners are found to be a disadvantage, the vertical glue wheels just described can be arranged with additional pads to apply at this stage of the operation a tiny dot of adhesive to the flaps I I and I2 adjacent their rear corners. This will bind the flaps to the side wall of the carton; but the act of opening the carton will break the bond at these tiny dots, and the utility of the container will not be adversely affected.

As the carton and cage pass beyond the pressure means or belts 31 and 38, a second rack member 40 may engage the gear 2| to return the assembly to its original or starting position as seen at the left side of the figures. With the assembly again in this position, the carton may be readily removed by hand or by an automatic ejector (not shown and forming no part of my present invention). i

It will be understood that Figs. 11 and 12 are illustrativ only of the pertinent features of my machine, and that the members shown therein are subject to various modifications and arrangements without departing from my invention. It will also be understood that the glue pots and pressure rolls shown therein will be provided with suitable driving means for operation in timed relation with the conveyor movement. It will further be understood that the conveyor chain .I and its associated members will be of the endless type, the chain running over return sprockets or the like (not shown) at opposite ends of the machine.

In Figs. 14 through 24 is shown another form of my invention. Referring to Fig. 14 the blank here employed consists of main body panels 50, 5|, 52 and 53 and a glu flap 54 articulated to outerpanel 50. The ultimate bottom end of the carton has closure flaps 55, 56, 51 and 58. At the top or lid end there are flaps 59 and BI] which will be called the inner flaps, since they are the first to be folded in. Flap 6I articulated to panel 50 will be referred to as the intermediate flap because it follows the flaps 59 and 60 in the order of folding. The flap 62 will be referred to as the .'lid flap. As shown. the lid flap has articulated thereto a. front wall 63 and side walls 64 and 65. To the side walls of the lid are articulated corner connecting flaps 66 and 61.

Also as shown there is an auxiliary score line or line of fold 68 transverse the lid flap 62, the purpose of which score line will become more apparent as the description proceeds. As shown, the panels 59 and 60 may have cut out portions 59a and 60a and the panel GI may be provided with a cut out portion or aperture 6 I a.

In my patents U. S. Patent Nos. 2,097,428,

2,122,510 and 2,140,786, I disclose ways of hermetically sealing carton flaps by filling or plugging up pin holes, etc., and it may be noted that my present invention is particularly well adapted to be used in connection with this hermetical sealing process, providing a container suitable for the packaging of liquids, fine powders, etc.

In Figs. through 23 I have illustrated the folding andgluing steps necessary to assemble the blank of Fig. 14. The body is folded and secured in a tubular form by means of the flap 54 as shown in Fig. 15, in which fiat folded tubular form the carton is shipped to the point of packaging where the first step in the erection or assembly of the carton is the squaringup of the body into erect tubular form as shown in Fig. 16. y

Thereupon the carton may be retained in erect form by-placing itover a mandrel or a block, or holding it in a cage as preferred, whereafter the next operation is as shown in Fig. 1'7. This operation consists of folding outwardly the lid flap 52 and the intermediate flap 6| to. the position shown, thus permitting access to the inner flaps 59 and 60. i i

As shown in Fig. 18 the nextstep consists of the folding inwardly of the two inner flaps 59 and 60. ;As also shown in this figure adhesive my now be applied to the inner surface of the intermediate flap BI as indicated by the stippled area. At the same time, adhesive may also be applied to the portion of the lid fiap 62 intermediate the line of articulation of the lid flap and the auxiliary score 68. It is understood, of course, that if this adhesive application is carried out according to my patents just referred to, a heavier bead or a heavier film of adhesive may be applied along the lines of fold and particularly at the corner portions, thus filling the small openings or pin holes which occur at the corners of overlapped folded flaps, to provide a hermetically tight closure.

As next shown in Fig.'19, the intermediate flap 6| is now folded inwardly, to overlie the previously folded pair of inner flaps. Referring now to Fig. 20 the end closure flap 62 is next folded over the intermediate flap. It will be apparent that in this position the adhesive as previously applied is suitable for effecting adhesion between the intermediate flap and the inner flaps, as well as between the portion adjoining the base of the lid fiap and the intermediate flap.

The next operation as illustrated in Fig. 21 is the folding down of the pair of opposite lid side walls 64 and 65 to overlie the corresponding pair of opposite main body panels 5| and 53. Thereupon, as shown in Fig. 22 the corner flaps 65 and 61 are folded at right angles to the respective lid side walls to which they are articulated, to overlie (in their now folded position) portions of the main front panel of the carton. In this stage adhesive may be applied to the under surface of the front lid wall 63 as indicatedby the stippled areas shown in the drawing, in which drawing'the box has been tilted rearwardly to show more clearly the adhesive application.

The front wall 63 of the lid is next folded downwardly at right angles to the lid flaps to the position shown in Fig. 23 where the wall 63 overlies the previously in'folded corner flaps. Pressure is'then applied to secure adhesion between the various meeting surfaces between which adhesive has been previously'applied, and the top closure is completed.

With the top closure thus formed, the contents may now be introduced into the container from the opposite end. After being filled the bottom flaps will be folded and secured together either by my process involving the use of surplus glue at the corner points,-as disclosed in the patents to which I have previously referred, or otherwise. After the closure of the bottom has been so provided, the container is now in form for shipment to the consumer.

When the consumer desires to use the contents of the package thus formed, the lid is raised to the position shown in Fig. 24 where it may be seen that the lid hinges or pivots about the auxiliary fold line 68. This exposes the aperture 6la in the intermediate flap, and the underlying cut out portions of the inner flaps, so that the contents may be poured or otherwise removed. Thereafter the lid may be returned to closed position thus serving as a convenient reclosure, to cover and protect the remaining contents of the carton.

The carton just described and illustrated in Figs. 14 through 24 has apertures in the intermediate flap and the inner flap, which apertures are suitable when the carton is to be used as a cannister for certain types of granular contents or the like. However, for milk and other fluid products I prefer to provide a somewhat different type of opening, which will now be described in detail.

This modified opening is shown in Fig. 25 and, as can be seen there is the described opening provided in the inner flaps, but instead of a cut out portion or completed aperture, the intermediate flap BI is provided with a liftable or removable portion Gib defined by lines of severance or weakening. These lines of severance or weakening may define three sides of the desired opening, designated in Fig. 26 by file, 61d, and 6 le, whereas the remaining side of this portion is defined by a hinge line or line of fold 6H. An important feature of this arrangement is that this lif table or removable portion Bib of the intermediate panel is somewhat larger than the aperture or opening defined in the inner flaps. Accordingly, when this detachable or liftable portion of the intermediate flap is raised, the milk or contents of the container can be readily removed therethrough, and then this portion can be placed down again. Since as explained the opening of the inner flaps is preferably smaller than the liftable portion of the intermediate panel, a ledgelike effect is provided by the inner flaps around the rim of the opening. on which this portion can rest securely as it is again folded back into closed position.

Alternatively, the line of fold of the removable portion of the intermediate panel may be positioned immediately adjacent to the fold line of the outer lid or cover as shown at Gig in Fig. 27. If the lines of fold of the movable portion Bib and the lid proper are made substantially to coincide, by the application of adhesive to the meeting surfaces ofthe severable portion and the inner surface of the outer lid, prior to folding down the outer lid, it is thereby possible to obtain firm adhesion between the portions or surfaces just described. In this style therefore, the raising of the outer lid automatically lifts the severable portion of the intermediate flap, providing a direct condition for pouring with no independent manipulation necessary of the liftable portion of the intermediate flap.

The forms of my invention as shown in Figs. 25 and 27 are particularly suited for the packaging of milk. It i an important requisite of a desirable paper container for milk that not only the actual pouring edge, but all the surfaces adjacent to the pouring edge should be carefully protected from contamination. As can be seen from the description and drawings just referred to, this is provided excellently in these forms of my invention.

A high degree of protection is afforded for the pouring surfaces due to the fact that there is actually a double covering. The actual opening of the inner flaps is protected by the removable portion of the intermediate flap and the entire surface of the intermediate flap is again protected by the outer cover, the outer cover extending also around the sides and front of the upper portion of the container body, thoroughly protecting the container from dust, contamination and handling in the entire area around the point where pouring is done. At the same time my construction provides a simple and convenient opening feature, as well as a reclosure feature, which can be used indefinitely to open and close the container without difficulty.

It is obvious that variations can be made without departing from the spirit or essential features of m invention. In the style of container first described for example, with the liner, the liner might extend above the body of the con tainer at the top or closure end as well, in which case it would be necessary to fold or manipulate the liner closure prior to forming the lid closure, and such a concept is within the scope of my invention.

In Figs. 28 and 29, I have illustrated an alterna-' tive machine or arrangement of mechanisms whereby top closure of the cartons may be effected without rotation or change of orientation of the container with respect to the direction of travel.

Referring to the left end of Fig. 28 a series of blocks or mandrels ID are carried on an endless conveyor chain indicated by the broken lines II. Suitable guide means as indicated at 12 will, of course, be provided in conjunction with the conveyor assembly. The blocks are provided with stop members or abutments l3 and the cartons in their squared up form as shown at K are pushed downwardly over the blocks to a position defined by the stop members. The cartons are then conveyed to the right as indicated by the arrows, and the upstanding top closure flaps BI and 62 are respectivel engaged by curved bars 14 and 15 which bars fold the said flaps outwardly to the position shown at L. As the carton is conveyed to the position shown at M the inner flap 6D is engaged and turned downward and. inward by an upper guide member 16 while the inner flap 59 is engaged by a rotating or otherwise moving element 11 which turns the flap down wardly to become engaged beneath the guide 16 which guide then serves to complete the infolding of the said flap 59.

'As shown at N the carton then passes beneath a glue applicator roll or device indicated at 18. The glue applicator here employed may be as described in my aforementioned patents so that the glue or adhesive will be applied as seen in Fig. 18 where I have indicated at L a heavier bead or film of adhesive applied along the lines of fold where the flaps 6i and 62 are articulated to the carton body. With the adhesive thus applied. the intermediate flap 6| is engaged as at M and turned inwardly by the curved bar 19 to a position where it overlies the inner flaps 59 and 60. The lid flap 62 is then turned inwardly to overlie the just folded intermediate flap, by the curved bar 80. Pressure may then be applied to secure initial adhesion of the flaps, by means of a pressure roller or other suitable pressure means indicated at 8|.

While I have not indicated apertures or removable panel in the top closure flaps of the cartons shown in Figs. 28 and 29 it will be understood that the glue applicator device employed at 8| may be so modified and timed that adhesive will not be applied between the meeting surfaces of any desired removable panels as described in conjunction with the cartons of Figs. 25 and 27. It will also be understood that such required modification of the glue applicator 8| will form no part of my present invention.

The carton indicated at N will then appear as shown in perspective in Fig. 20 where the top closure flaps have been folded and secured, but with the lid side walls 63, 64 and 65 extending outwardly to be folded and glued as will next be described.

As the carton travels to the position (of Fig. 28) the lid side wall panels 64 and 65 are turned downward about their lines of articulation to the panel 62. Various means may be devised for effecting this operation but for this purpose I have indicated at 83 a simple means comprising an endless chain having mounted therein suitably shaped and spaced pins 84, which pins engage ,the panels as shown to bend them downward and retain them in that position during succeeding operations. These pins are preferably given an appropriate curvature as shown to provide a proper folding action, or they may be made resilient, or both. Again, if desired, the

I pins instead of being rigidly mounted on the conveyor or chains 83 may be movable thereon, and by cams may be given an auxiliary folding motion distinct from their travel with the endless chain.

As the carton approaches the position P the forwardly extending corner connecting fiap 61 is turned inward and retained against thefront carton panel by a stationary guide member 85 while the corner connecting flap B6 is engaged by a rotating or otherwise moving member 86, which member strikes the flap to bend it forwardly of 'the direction of travel to a position where it will also be engaged and folded against the carton body by the member 85. The fiaps willthen be folded to a position corresponding to that of Fig. 22, and as the carton travels to the. position Q a timed glue wheel indicated at 8'! may be arranged to apply spots of adhesive to the under side of the front wall lid panel 63 in the areas where that wall will ultimately overlap the corner connecting flaps;

With adhesive thus applied to the under surface of panel 63, the final operation in forming the top closure is effected by a curved bar 08 which engages the panel and turns it downwardly to overlie the previously infolded corner conn cting tabs. Thereafter pressure may be applie by suitable means such as pressure belts indicated at 89 and 90 to effect adhesion of the members.

Referring now to Figs. 30 and 31, I have shown an optional continuation of the machine just described. In the continuation here shown, the cartons with their top closures formed as just described issue from the pressure belts 89 and 90 to be-ejected from the machine by an air b1 t delivered through a duct or nozzle 9|. To t '5 end the blocks or mandrel I0 are provided with suitable passageways or air channels indicated at 92 and arranged to communicate with the duct'SI as the blocks are conveyed past the duct; The air blast lifts the cartons upwardly into a chute member 93, which chute member has a return bend as shown so that the carton descends by gravity in an inverted position. Thus, the carton may be veyor may be that of a filling machine having a spout or suitable filling means indicated at 96 which will be of the required type to insert the desired contents of the container.

With the contents thus inserted through the open bottom, thecontainer may next be transferred to a third machine upon'which machine the bottom closure of the cartonor package will be performed. This third machine is generally indicated at 91 in the drawings and comprises a suitable conveyor means 98 having a series of cages or retainers 99 such as described in conjunction with the machine of Figs. 11 and 12.

The ca'rtons may be transferred to this machine by any suitable means such as a cross conveyor or the like operating in timed relation between the conveyors, However, as a simple means of transferring the cartons, I have indicated a pusher member or ram I00, which ram is suitably arranged as on slidable shafts IN to reciprocate as indicated by the arrow I02. Thus they member I00, being operated in suitable timed relation by mechanism not shown, may serve to transfer the cartons from the filling machine 95 to the cages upon the final closure machine 91 the conveyor 95 being in substantial horizontal alignment with the bottom supporting elements 26a of the cages 99.

With thecarton thus transferred to the final closure machine and with its bottom closure flaps extending upwardly as at R, the carton thusconveyed passes beneath a member I03 which oscillates as indicated by arrow I04 in proper timed relation to bend inwardly the closure fiap 58. Thereupon the closure flap 56 is engaged by bar I05 to be also turned downwardly overlying the fiap 58. Thereafter in the further course of travel, the closure members 55 and 51 areengaged by bars I01 and I08 to be turned downwardly and outwardly to the position shown at S in Fig. 30, which position corresponds to that seen in perspective in Fig. 32. c

A glue applicator roller indicated at I09 and constructed in accordance with the patents mentioned in conjunction with the previous description of applicator I8 of Fig. 28 is then arranged to apply adhesive to the closure members. As seen in Fig. 32 the adhesive may preferably be applied with a heavier bead or film as indicated at T, along the lines of fold where the flaps 55 and 59 are articulated to the carton body. Thus with final closure of the carton, as will be accomplished by'the curved bars H0 and III, and the pressure roller or other means IIZ, a hermetic package will result. The completed package'as shown at V may then be manually removed from the machine or ejected by automatic means (not shown).

It will be understood that whether the lid. end is formed first and the container filled, and the bottom end is closed, or whether the bottom end is closed first, then the container is filled, and then the final lid closure is formed, is purely a matter of choice; and if desired, my type of closure could be used for both ends of the carton, although for most products the type of package with the hinged lid at one end is suflicient for practical purposes.

One important feature of my invention is that the lid closure is formed over the erect carton body, either before or after the contents are inserted, and that the lid is an integral part of the container or main body, and also that the lid is formed in closed position, so that the separate operations involved in many types of conthe line of articulation tainers where the lid is formed and then a second operation of inserting or putting on the lid is involved, is completely eliminated by my invention. However, if desired, the complete container could be formed and closed according to my invention without having the contents introduced and thereafter subsequently the lid raised and the contents put into the container. In the case of marketing of milk for example, it might at times be desirable to provide the type of container described previously as being particularly adapted to this product, and complete the assembly thereof without introducing the milk, thereafter raising the lid, waterproofing the interior and exterior with moltenparafiine by dipping, spraying or otherwise, then subsequently fill, and reclose the lid. In regard to the particular folding order of the corner flaps and lid walls, this could be varied from that shown if desired by adhering the corner flaps to the outer surfaces of the adjacent lid wall. "However from the standpoint of neatness it is preferable to have these corner flaps adhered to the inside of the adjacent wall, but any such variations are within the scope of my invention.

In regard to the folding operations, a partial pre-breaking or pre-folding of the score lines defining the ends or side walls of lid or both could be utilized if desired prior to folding the lid over the upper end of the container along the lines to which it is articulated to one of the main body panels. While this description mentions that the first fold is the folding of the lid flap itself over the top of the container, the pre-breaking or pre-folding of the walls articulated to the lid flaps could be done first, if desired, and such variations are likewise included in the scope of this invention,

As previously noted in the description, it is likewise a matter of choice as to whether the corner flaps of the lid are articulated to the end walls of the lid or to the side walls of the lid. Also if desired the type container described herein to which a portion of the base of the lid flap is secured to the intermediate flap could have a separate internal flexible liner if desired.

It can be seen that I have provided an effective, simplified method and means of producing a highly useful article. The carton itself is unitary, the lid being formed as an integral part thereof. It can further be seen that, as disclosed, the lid forming operation is carried out as part of the carton closure itself, providing the container with an outer reclosure lid preformed in closed position over an end of the carton body.

The lid is articulated to one of the main carton body panels, so that it cannot become separated or removed from the container itself; and the closure has walls on three sides overlying the three respective side panels of the body to provide effective retention, and to protect the upper surface of the container itse By my preferred method as previously described, wherein the folding is carried out along the line of articulation of the lid to the carton body panel, and along of the front lid wall to the lid flaps, and thereafter the position of the carton in relation to its direction of motion is changed. in which new orientation of the corner flap and side lid walls are folded, I achieve this highly desirable result of an integrated corner glued outer lid cover, by a series of folds made primarily with shaped stationary member. This is an extremely simple operation with a minimum of cost and a minimum of mechanism.

Also as mentioned previously, one form of my invention is particularly suited to the packaging of milk and fluid products, wherein a portion of the lid flaps adjoining the line of articulation of the lid flaps is secured to the underlying carton flaps, to make possible a tightly sealed condition along the outer edges of the cartonitself,

' and at the same time the hinged reclosure feature is incorporated on an auxiliary score line in the lid flap. With this also many desirable features are present, such as the inner severable or liftable portion of the intermediate flap to provide a double protection for the pouring opening, as well as a complete outer surface protection provided by the hinged lid with its end and side walls.

Having thus described claim as new and desire Patent is:

1. In a packaging machine, in combination, means for moving along a carton body retained in erect condition, means to fold over an open end of said carton body, a lid flap articulated to a panel of said carton body, with side walls, and a front wall articulated to said lid flap, and corner flaps on said front wall, means to fold the front wall of said lid flap down over the opposite panel of said carton, means to fold the corner flaps articulated to said front wall against the remaining pair of opposite body panels, and means to fold the pair of side walls articulated to said lid panel down over said previously folded corner flaps, adhesive having been applied to meeting surfaces of said side walls and said corner flaps.

2. In a packaging machine, in combination, means for moving along a carton body retained in erect condition, means to fold over, on one end of said carton, a lid flap articulated to a panel of said carton, means to fold a front wall articulated to said lid flap down over the opposite panel of said carton, means to fold corner flaps articulated to said front wall against the remaining pair of opposite body panels, and means to fold a pair of side walls articulated to said lid flap down over said previously folded corner flaps, adhesive having been applied to meeting surfaces of said side walls and said corner flaps, and means for thereafter applying pressure to secure adhesion.

3. In a packaging machine, in combination, means for moving along acarton body retained in erect condition, means to fold over, on one end of said carton, a lid flap articulated to a panel of said carton, means to fold a pair of side walls articulated to said lid flap down over an opposite pair of main body panels, means to fold corner flaps articulated to said side walls at right angles to overlie the remaining panel of said carton body, and means thereafter to fold downwardly the front wall of said lid flap over the previously folded corner flaps, adhesive having been applied to the meeting surfaces of said front wall and said corner flaps.

4. The method of making an erect container with a reclosure lid, having walls on three of its sides, over an end thereof, which includes providing a tubular carton body, one panel of which has articulated thereto a lid flap having a front wall and two side walls, retaining said body in erect form, folding said lid flap at right angles to the panel to which it is articulated to overlie an end of the body, folding said front and side walls at right angles to the lid flap into position parallel to, and overlying, the respective my invention what I to secure by Letters panels of the main carton body, and securing said lid walls to one another in folded position by adhesively securing the corner flaps thereof.

5. A method of forming a tri-walled lid hingedly connected toone of the four panels of an erected carton, which includes folding over a hingedly connected flap to overlie the upper edge of the four panels and thereafter folding downwardly one of the flap walls over the panel opposite the panel to which said flap is hinged, thereafter folding the sealing flaps attached to said flap wall at right angles to said downwardly folded flap wall against two other opposite carton panels, and after adhesive has been applied, folding downwardly the other two remaining flap walls over the previously folded sealing flaps and applying pressure to bring about adhesion between portions of the last named opposite flap walls and the sealing flaps attached to the third flap wall.

6. In a, machine for forming tri-walled end closures on open carton bodies having lid flaps extending from a panel thereof, means for conveying said cartons parallel to the line of articulation of said lid flaps, means for folding said flap across an end of said body, means for folding an end wall articulated to said lid flap down over the opposite panel, means for changing the orientation of the carton in relation to its direction of conveyance, whereby said folded front wall becomes the advancing edge, means to fold rearward of the direction of motion a pair of projecting corner flaps articulated to said front wall, means to fold a pair of side walls articulated to said lid down over said folded corner flaps, and means to apply adhesive to one'of the respective meeting surfaces thereof prior to said last named folding.

7. In a machine for forming an end closure on an open carton body having lid flaps extending from one panel thereof, means for conveying said carton parallel to the line of articulation of said lid flap, means for folding said flap across the end of said body, means for folding an end wall articulated to said lid flap down over an opposite panel, means for changing the orientation of the carton in relation toits directiomof conveyance, whereby said folded front Wall becomes the advancing edge, means to fold rearward of the direction of motion a pair of projecting corner connecting flaps articulated to said front wall, said last named means being stationary members, means to fold a pair of side walls articulated to said lid down over said folded corner connecting flaps, and means to apply adhesive to one of the respective meeting surfaces thereof prior to said last named folding.

8. A machine for forming an end closure on an open carton body having a lid flap extending from one panel thereof including in combination, means for conveying said carton parallel to the line of articulation of said lidfiap, means for folding said flap across an end of said body, means for folding an end wall articulated to said lid flap down over an opposite panel, means for changing the orientation of the carton in relameans to apply adhesive to one of the respective meeting surfaces thereof prior to said last named folding;

9. In a. machine for forming a tri-walled end closure on an open carton body having a lid flap extending from one panel'thereof, in combination means for conveying saidcartons parallel to the line of articulation of said lid flaps, means for folding said flap across to overlie an end of said body, means for folding an end wall articulated to said lid flap down over an opposite panel, meansfor changing the orientation of the carton in relation to its direction of conveyance, whereby saidfolded front wall becomes the advancing edge, means to fold rearwardly of the direction of motion a pair of projecting corner flaps articulated-to'said front wall,-means to fold a pair of side walls articulated to said lid down oversaid folded cornervflaps, and means to apply adhesive to one of the respective meeting surfaces thereof prior to said last named folding, all of said folding means being fixed members.

10. In a packaging machine in combination, means for moving along a carton having a lid flap with front and side walls articulated thereto, means for making two parallel folds in said flap while said carton is traveling parallel to said lines of fold, means for changing the position of the carton in relation to its direction of motion, and means thereafterrto make two folds along lines of articulation parallel to the direction of motion, and two folds along-lines of articulation at right angles to the direction of motion.

11. In a packaging machine in combination,' means for moving along a carton having a lid flap with front and side walls articulated thereto, means for making two parallel folds in said flap while said carton is traveling parallel to said line of fold, means for changing the position of the carton in relation .to its direction of motiomand means thereafter to make two folds 7 along lines of articulation parallel to the direction ofmotion and two, folds along lines of articulation at rightangles to the direction of motion, all said folding means being fixed members.

12. The method of closing carton ends which includes providing cartons having a lid flap articulated to a panel thereof, said flap having a front-and two opposite side walls articulated thereto, moving said carton along parallel to the line of articulation connecting said panel to said flap,. and folding said flaps inward at right angles to said panel and folding said front lid wall downward at right angles' to said lid flap, changing the orientation of said carton to place said flap along the advancing edge, folding a pair of corner flaps articulated to said folded front lid wall rearward of the direction of motion and folding the pair of opposite lid side walls parallel to the direction of motion over said previously folded corner flaps.

13. In a packaging machine, in combination, means for moving along in erect form a carton body having a tri-walled lid flap and an intermediate flap projecting from one opposite pair of panels, and inner flaps projecting from the remaining pair of opposite panels, means to fold in said pair of inner flaps, means to apply adhesiveto one of the meeting surfaces of said inner flap and the intermediate flap prior to folding in said intermediate flap to overlie said inner flaps, means to fold said lid flap in to ov'erlie said intermediate flap, means to fold a front wall of said lid vflap down over the opposite panel of said carton, means to fold corner connecting flaps articulated to said front wall against the remaining pair of opposite carton body panels, and means to fold a pair of side walls articulated to said lid flap down over said previously folded corner-flaps, and means for applying adhesive to one of the meeting surfaces of said side walls and said corner flaps.

14. The method of making an erect container with a closure lid at-an end thereof, which includes providing a tubular carton body having a pair of inner flaps projecting from one opposite pair of main body panels, with an intermediate flap projecting from another main body panel, and the opposite panel of which has projected from the end thereof a lid flap having front and side walls, folding in said pair of inner flaps, applying adhesive to one of the meeting surfaces 01' said inner fiaps and the intermediate flap prior to folding in said intermediate flap, folding in said inter-mediate flap, and thereafter folding said lid flap to overlie the previously folded intermediate flap, folding said front and side walls of said lid flap at right angles to said lid flap into position parallel to, and overlying respective panels of the main carton body, and securing said lid walls in folded position by adhesively securing the corner connecting flaps thereof.

15. In a packaging machine for performing an end closure of an open carton body having inner flaps projecting from one opposite pair of carton body panels, intermediate flaps projecting from another carton body panel, and a. lid flap ei-itending from the remaining carton body panel, means for folding inwardly the opposite pair of inner flaps and forconveying said carton parallel to the line of articulation of said intermediate flap and folding in said intermediate flap to overlie said previously folded inner flaps, means for folding said lid flap over said previously folded intermediate flap, and means for'folding an end wall articulated to said lid flap down over the opposite panel, means for changing the orientation-of the carton in relation to its direction of conveyance whereby said folded front wall becomes the advancing edge, means to fold rearward of the direction of motion a pair of pro- Jecting corner flaps articulated to said front wall, means to fold a pair of side Walls articulated to said lid down over said folded corner connecting flaps, and means to apply adhesive to one of the respective meeting surfaces thereof prior to said last named folding,

16. In a packaging machine, in combination, means for moving along a carton having a lid flap with front and sidewalls articulated to one panel thereof, an intermediate flap articulated to the panel opposite said first mentioned panel, and a pair of inner flapsarticulated to the remaining panels of said cartons, means for folding said last named flaps inwardly, and means thereafter for folding inwardly said intermediate flap to overlie said previously folded inner flaps, means for making two successive parallel folds of said lid flaps while the carton is traveling parallel to said lines of fold, means for changing the position of the carton in relation to the direction of motion, and means thereafter for making two folds along lines of articulation parallel to the direction of motion and two folds along lines of articulation at right angles to the direction of motion.

17. The method of closing carton ends which includes providing a cartonhaving a lid rflap articulated to one body panel thereof, an intermediate flap articulated to the opposite carton body panel, and inner flaps articulated to the remaining opposite pair of main carton body panels, which includes moving said carton along parallel to the line of articulation of the lid flap, folding said pair of inner flaps at right angles to the panels to which they are articulated, folding said intermediate flap inwardly to overlie the previously folded inner flaps, folding said lid flap inwardly to overlie the intermediate flap, and folding a front lid wall articulated to said lid flap downwardly at right angles to said lid flap, changing the orientation of said cartons in relation to the direction of motion to place said lid fiapalong the advancing edge, folding a pair of flaps articulated to said front lid wall rearward of the direction of motion and folding a pair of opposite lid side walls parallel to the direction of motion over said folded corner flaps.

18. In a packaging machine, in combination, means for moving along in erect form a carton body, having a trl-walled lid flap and intermediate flap projecting from one opposite pair of panels, and inner flaps projecting from the remaining pair of opposite panels, means to fold in said pair of inner flaps, means to apply adhesive to one of the meeting surfaces of said inner flaps and the intermediate flap prior to folding in said intermediate flap to overlie said inner flaps, means to secure an area of said lid flap adjacent to the line of articulation thereof, to said intermediate flap, as said lid flap is folded in to overlie said intermediate flap, means to fold the front wall of said lid flap down over the opposite panel of said carton, means to fold corner flap articulated to said front wall against the remaining pair of opposite carton body panels, and means to fold a pair of side walls articulated to said lid flap down over said previously folded corner flaps, adhesive having been applied to one of the meeting surfaces of said side walls and said corner flaps.

19. A packaging machine for performing an end closure on an open carton body having inner flaps projecting from one opposite pair of carton body panels, an intermediate flap projecting from another carton body panel, and a lid flap extending from the remaining carton body panel, including in combination means for folding inwardly the opposite pair of inner flaps and for conveying said carton parallel to the line of articulation of said intermediate flap and folding in said intermediate flap to overlie said previously folded inner flaps, means for folding said lid flap over said previously folded intermediate flap and for securing a base portion of said lid, flap to said intermediate flap, and means for folding an end wall articulated to said lid flap down over an opposite panel, means for changing the orientation of the carton in relation to its direction of conveyance whereby said folded front wall becomes the advancing edge, means to fold rearward of the direction of motion a pair of projecting corner flaps articulated to said front wall, means to fold a pair of side walls articulated to said lid down over said folded corner flaps, and means to apply adhesive to one of the respective meeting surfaces thereof prior to said last named folding.

20. The method of making an erect container with a closure lid at an end thereof, which includes providing a tubular carton body having a pair of inner flaps projecting-from one opposite pair of main body panels, with an intermediate flap projecting from another main body panel,

the opposite panel of which has projected from the end thereof a lid flap, having front and side walls, folding in said pair of inner flaps, applying adhesive to one of the meeting surfaces of said inner flaps and the intermediate 'flap prior to folding in said intermediate flap, and thereafter folding in said lid flap and securing a portion adjacent to the base thereof to said intermediate v flap, foldingvsaid front and side walls of the lid flap at right angles to said lid flap into position parallel to; and overlying, the respective panels articulation of the lid flap, folding said pair ofinner flaps at right angles to the panels to which they are articulated, folding said intermediate flap inwardly, folding said lid flap inwardly and securing a portion adjacent to the base thereof' to the previously folded intermediate flap, folding a front lid wall articulated to said lid flap downwardly at right angles, changing the orientation of the carton in relation to its direction of motion to place said front wall along the advancing edge, folding a pair of corner flaps articulated to said front wall rearward in the direction of motion and folding the pair of opposite lid side walls parallel to the direction of motion over said folded corner flaps.

22. A method of package closure which includes folding a tri-walled lid flap over the open end of an erected carton body, one edge of said flap being articulated to one panel of said body,

and thereafter folding walls articulated to the three remaining edges of said lid flap downwardly over the three remaining panels of said carton body, and retaining said walls in folded position by adhesively securing corner flaps articulated to a wall to the adjacent wall at the two meeting corners of saidwalls.

23. A method of package closure which includes folding over the open mouth of a liner projecting from an end of the carton body, folding a tri-walled lid flap over said end of said body, one edge of said flap being articulated to one panel of said body, and thereafter folding walls articulated to the three remaining edges of said lid flap downwardly over the three remaining panels of said carton body, and retaining said walls in folded position by adhesively securing flaps articulated to a wall to the adjacent wall at the two meeting corners of said walls.

24. The method of closing carton ends having the open mouth of a liner extending therefrom and a lid flap articulated to a panel thereof, said flap having a front and two opposite side walls articulated thereto, which includes moving said carton along parallel to the line of articulation connecting said panel and said lid flap, flattening together and folding over the open mouth of said liner in a direction parallel to the direction of motion, changing the position of the carton in relation to its direction of motion and folding a pair of opposite inner flaps and the folded liner extensions inwardly along lines of articulation parallel to the direction of motion, changing the position of the carton in relation to its direction of motion and folding the lid flap down over an end of the carton again changing the position of the carton in relation to its direction of motion and folding said front lid wall downward at right angles, changing the orientation of said carton to place said wall along the advancing edge, folding a pair of corner flaps articulated to said folded front wall rearward of the direction of motion and folding the pair of opposite lid side walls parallel to the direction of motion over said previously folded comer flaps.

25. A method of forming a tri-wall closure lid hingedly connected to one of the four walls of an erect carton, forming said tri-wall closure lid over an intermediate closure fiap, said intermediate closure flap being hingedly connected to a wall opposite to that to which the tri-wall closure flap is connected; and having a partially

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