US3896607A - Apparatus for mounting a lid on a container - Google Patents

Apparatus for mounting a lid on a container Download PDF

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Publication number
US3896607A
US3896607A US432047A US43204774A US3896607A US 3896607 A US3896607 A US 3896607A US 432047 A US432047 A US 432047A US 43204774 A US43204774 A US 43204774A US 3896607 A US3896607 A US 3896607A
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Prior art keywords
container
lid
mandrel
flaps
box
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US432047A
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Thomas B Royal
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JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
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International Paper Co
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Priority to US432047A priority Critical patent/US3896607A/en
Priority to CA200,057A priority patent/CA1018126A/en
Priority to AU73624/74A priority patent/AU7362474A/en
Priority to GB41458/74A priority patent/GB1486463A/en
Priority to IT53434/74A priority patent/IT1021736B/en
Priority to FR7433993A priority patent/FR2256869A1/fr
Priority to ES431820A priority patent/ES431820A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3896607A publication Critical patent/US3896607A/en
Priority to CA276,416A priority patent/CA1042398A/en
Assigned to LOVESHAW CORPORATION, A CORP. OF NEW YORK reassignment LOVESHAW CORPORATION, A CORP. OF NEW YORK ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY, A CORP. OF NEW YORK
Assigned to LOVESHAW CORPORATION, THE, (FORMERLY LOVESHAW ACQUISITION) A CORP. OF DE reassignment LOVESHAW CORPORATION, THE, (FORMERLY LOVESHAW ACQUISITION) A CORP. OF DE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: LOVESHAW CORPORATION, THE, A NY CORP.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Assigned to CHEMICAL BANK, AS AGENT reassignment CHEMICAL BANK, AS AGENT ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: LOVESHAW CORPORATION, THE
Assigned to LOVESHAW CORPORATION reassignment LOVESHAW CORPORATION TERMINATION, RELEASE AND REASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY Assignors: CHEMICAL BANK
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/28Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2807Feeding closures
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/28Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2842Securing closures on containers
    • B65B7/2871Securing closures on containers by gluing

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 53/287; 53/218; 93/55.] P [51] ll?- A method and apparatus for mounting a on a con- Field of Search 47, 287, 289, tainer wherein the lid has a central portion and a pair 53/3 P of end flaps and a pair of side flaps foldably connected to the central portion of the lid.
  • top of the box is formed by flaps which are foldably connected to the sides of the box.
  • flaps which are foldably connected to the sides of the box.
  • the. method and apparatus disclosed herein provides a solution ;to a numberof other problems which often'arise when a large'quantity of relatively heavy material is to be packaged. in a box of .the type described above. More-specifically, one of the problems which often occurs in sucha packaging operation is the'distortio'n. of the coittain'erfFor example,
  • a filled container is positioned below the lid support section.
  • a reciprocable mandrel Pivotally mounted on opposed sides of the mandrel are squeezer plates.
  • a pair of double cyl- 1 inders Mounted on top of the mandrel are a pair of double cyl- 1 inders for actuating the squeezer plates.
  • the mandrel presses down on the central portion of the lid and thus holds the lid in place on top of the box. While the lid is so disposed,
  • thedouble acting cylinders on the mandrel are actuated causing the squeezer plates to move into parallel relation.
  • the end flaps on the lid which have an adhesive disposed on the under side thereof, are secured to they end panels of the box.
  • the box may be moved horizontally. During such horizontal movement, the box is subjected to a first transverse compression wherein any outward bulging of the box is removed. Adhesive is then deposited on the side flaps and the side flaps are folded down adjacent to the side walls of the box. The side flaps and the box are subjected to a second transverse compression.
  • FIGS. 1-3 are perspective drawings showing the steps performed to mount a lid on an open top box.
  • FIG. 4 is a top view of a machine constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along the section line 5-5 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view taken along the section line 9--9 of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken along the provided wherein a box lid having sideflaps and end flaps may be automatically mour ited on are secured to a filled, open top box.
  • '-lh e machinepref erably includes a section for storing a quantity offsuch lids and means for sequentially feeding such a lid' supp o flsec section line 10-10 of FIG. 4.
  • FIGS. 1-3 suggest the general operations performed by the machine disclosed herein.
  • a box or container 15 which is a filled, open top box preferably made of corrugated paperboard.
  • a lid 16 Disposed on top of the box 15 is a lid 16 which has a central portion. l7, end flaps 18 and 19 foldably con- Y nected thereto and a pair of side flaps 20, 21 which are the side flaps 20 and 21 may be folded downwardly as suggested in FIG. 2.
  • the side flaps 20 and 21 are folded downwardly into face abutting relation with the side walls of the box 15 and held or compressed against the side walls until an adhesive bond is secured thus providing the box construction shown in FIG. 3.
  • side flaps of the lid 16 are the same height as the height of the container 15. As such, if the side flaps 'are bonded to the side walls of the container across their entire surface, the side flaps essentially provide a second wall which, in turn, provides substantial stacking strength. Additionally, since the side flaps are integral with and foldably connected to the central portion 17, they help to resist the outward forces imposed upon the box by the material packaged therein and thus assist in maintaining the container in an upright configuration, i.e., the side flaps together with the central portion 17 tend to prevent the container side walls from being bowed outwardly.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown therein a top view of a machine constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant'invention and generally referred to in FIG. 4 by the reference number 25.
  • the machine includes a plurality of upright and horizontal members generally designated by the reference number and, in combination, constituting a frame.
  • themachine 25 shown in FIG. 4 includes three sections, namely, a lid supply and feeding section 31, a forming section 32 and a compression or second forming section 33.
  • the lid supply and feeding section 31 is generally comprised of a conventional paperboard blank feeding mechanism. Thus, only a brief description thereof will be given since this section will be familiar to those skilled in the art.
  • a quantity of lid blanks 16 are vertically stacked at the right hand end of the lid supply section 31. The blanks are supported by disposing end flaps l8 and 19 upon the horizontal support members 35.
  • Disposed below the plane defined by the horizontal support members 35 is a chain which carries a kicker plate 41 and is driven by a motor 42. Additionally, below the support members 35, there are mounted two vacuum cups 45, 46 connected to a vacuum source 47.
  • the motor 42 and the vacuum cups 45, 46 are actuated. Thereby, the lowermost lid in the stack is drawn downwardly and, as the chain moves, the kicker 41 engages the right hand edge of the lowermost lid and moves it to the left, as shown in FIG. 4.
  • a blank is fed from the lid storage section 31 to the forming section 42 and comes to rest in the forming section 42 where, as shown in FIG. 4, the left hand edge of the side flap 20 abuts the longitudinal frame member 30a.
  • the lid storage section 31 includes glue guns 50, 51 disposed as shown in FIG. 4 so as to deposit a quantity of adhesive material, e.g.
  • the glue guns 50, 51 may be actuated by anyconventional means, for example a switch or photocell which detects the movement of the end flaps of a lid past the glue guns.
  • the forming section of the machine 25 includes a reciprocatingly mounted mandrel plate 60.
  • an overhead cross member 61 is mounted on the frame of the machine as shown in FIG. 4.
  • Mounted on the overhead cross member 61 is a double acting piston and cylinder 62.
  • the piston 62a is affixed, at its is fixedly attached to the top of the plate 60 as at 75.
  • the endof the piston 72 is fixedly attached tc the top of the plate 60 as at 76.
  • the pistons 71, 73 are fixedly attached to collars 80, 81, respectively, which are mounted on the shafts 69, 68 respectively.
  • collars 84, and 86, 87 are mounted on the shafts 68,69.
  • a pair of squeezer plates 90, 91 are connected to the collars 86, 87 and 84, 85 by arms 92, 93 and 94, 95, respectively.
  • a box or container 15 has been positioned beneath the mandrel 60 and is disposed upon a conveyor 100.
  • the conveyor belt is trained over rollers 101, 102 which are driven by a motor which is not shown in the drawings.
  • a support plate 103 is disposed beneath the top of the conveyor belt 100 and is affixed to the frame 30 of the machine.
  • the conveyor 100 will be activated and will continue to run until a filled container is fed to the conveyor.
  • a container is introduced onto the conveyor 100 it will be moved into the forming section 32.
  • the longitudinally disposed guide bars 89, 99 insure that the container is transversely aligned on the conveyor.
  • a container position detector such as photocell 101 in FIG. 6, may be employed to generate a signal and stop the conveyor.
  • rotatablymounted arms .shown in section at I06 and 107 in.FIG. 6, may be provided'on the frame of'the machine and which, in response to the signal from the container position detector 101, rotate so as to abut the end walls of the container and thus positively insure the longitudinal position of the container on the conveyor.
  • a lid blank may be fed from the lid supply section 31 by actuating the motor 42 and the vacuum cups 45, 46.
  • the sequence of operations will commence after a lid blank 16 has been fed to the forming section and is supported below the mandrel 60 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and a filled, open top box or container 15 has been positioned thereunder.
  • the double acting piston and cylinder 62 is actuated, for example, in response to the delivery of the lid blank, causing the mandrel 60 to move downward and bear against the central portion 17 of the lid 16 and thus pushing the lid 16 downwardly past the support members 39.
  • the central portion I! of the lid 16 is disposed upon the top of the container 15 and is maintained in position by the downward force of the mandrel 60 bearing against the central portion 17.
  • the double acting cylinders 70, 72 are reverse actuated and thereby return the squeezer plates 90, 91 to the position shown in FIG. 6. Thereafter, the piston and cylinder 62 are reverse actuated and the mandrel plate 60 is reciprocated upwardly leaving the container 15 in a condition wherein the lid 16 is mounted on the container 15 by the end flaps 19, 20. At this point in the process, it will be appreciated that the side flaps 20, 21 are horizontally disposed.
  • the conveyor belt 100 commences to move and thus delivers the box 15, with the lid 16 thereon to the conveyor belt 110.
  • the conveyor belt 110 is continuously operated whereas the conveyor belt 100 is discontinuously operated, i.e., with respect to the conveyor belt 100, when a box is delivered to the machine the conveyor belt 100 is actuated so as to position the box 15 below the mandrel 60 whereupon the conveyor belt 100 stops.
  • the conveyor belt 100 is again actuated to deliver the box 15 to the continuously running conveyor belt 110.
  • the rods 116, 118 and 119,- 120 are arcuately disposed so as to curve inwardly and downwardly such that at the end of the rods, i.e., adjacent to the roller 125, the bottom rod of each pair is somewhat inwardly disposed with respect to its respective top rod and each of the pair of rods, as shown in FIG. 8, is disposed adjacent to the conveyor belt 1 10.
  • a hold down roll 125 is rotatably mounted on the frame of the machine as shown in FIG. 8.
  • rollers 130 downstream of the hold down roll 125 there is provided a second configuration of rollers, namely rollers 130 which are disposed similar to the configuration of the rollers 115 and provide a second transverse compression zone.
  • the conveyor belt 110 as shown in FIG. 4, extends throughout the length of the compression section 33 so as to move a container through the first and second compression sections defined above.
  • the function of the vertically aligned rollers 115 is to subject the side walls of a box 15 to a first transverse compression whereby the symmetry of the box is regained through compressing the contents of the box.
  • the side flaps of the lid are maintained in a horizontal position by the bars 119, 120, and 116, 118.
  • upwardly directed glue guns 150, 151 are provided on the frame of the machine as shown in FIG. 4.
  • the glue guns 150, 151 may be actuated so as to apply or spray an adhesive on the under surface of the side flaps as they pass the glue guns as shown in FIG. 9. 7
  • the flaps of the lid pass the glue guns 150, 151 do to movement of the container 15 on the conveyor 1 10, the flaps enter the section of the compression section 33 wherein the bars 116, 118 and 119, 120 curve inwardly and downwardly.
  • the purpose of providing this arrangement of the bars is to fold or plow down the side flaps 20, 21.
  • the side flaps 20, 21 are folded downwardly towards the side walls of the box 15.
  • the box passes beneath the hold down roller which subjects the box to a vertical compression and the box then enters a second transverse compression section which is defined by the longitudinally aligned, vertically disposed rollers 130.
  • An apparatus for applying to a filled container a lid which includes a central portion having opposed side flaps and end flaps foldably connected to said central portion, which comprises:
  • An apparatus for applying to a filled container a lid having a central panel and end flaps and side flaps foldably connected to said central panel which comprises:
  • a mandrel reciprocally mounted on said frame for holding the central panel of a lid on a filled container positioned under said mandrel;
  • a. a pair of downwardly extending squeezer plates pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said mandrel, and
  • said plate moving means comprises a pair of double acting pistons and cylinders mountedon the top of said mandrel, each of said pistons and cylinders being connected to a respective one of said squeezer plates.
  • said means for moving said container comprises a first conveyor belt below said mandrel and a second conveyor belt extending from the beginning'of'said first transverse compression section to the end of said second transverse compression section.

Abstract

A method and apparatus for mounting a lid on a container wherein the lid has a central portion and a pair of end flaps and a pair of side flaps foldably connected to the central portion of the lid.

Description

United States Patent Royal July 29, 1975 APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING A LID ON A 3,327,452 6/1967 Cranston et al. 53/218 3,530,637 9/1970 Rezner et a1 CONTAINER 3,634,995 1/1972 Curtis 53/287 X [75] Inventor: Thomas B. Royal, Homestead, Fla.
73 A l t t' l P C N l Sslgnee iz f aper ompany ew Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Alfred L. Michaelsen [22] Filed: Jan. 9, 1974 [2]] Appl. No.: 432,047
[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 53/287; 53/218; 93/55.] P [51] ll?- A method and apparatus for mounting a on a con- Field of Search 47, 287, 289, tainer wherein the lid has a central portion and a pair 53/3 P of end flaps and a pair of side flaps foldably connected to the central portion of the lid. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 2,584,925 2/l952 Rideout 53/287 PATENTEB JUL29 IQYS PATENTEI] JUL 2 9 I975 SHEET ,1 APPARATUS FORMOUNIING A LID ON A CONTAINER BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION Many commodities are packaged in containers, for
example corrugated paperboard boxes, wherein the top of the box is formed by flaps which are foldably connected to the sides of the box. I-lowever, when packaging certain commodities, it is desirable to use tops or thereto and wherein the length of the flaps is equal to,
the height offthe box. Such box-lid combinations are known to the packaging art and are often employed where it is desired to obtain a box orv container which has increased stacking strength. Thus, if a lid is employed which includes flaps having a length equal to the height of the box, theflaps on the lid will, when adhesively secured to the sides of the box, function'as an additional wall and will thereby provide increased stacking strength. a
An example of an instance wherein it has been found desirable to usea corrugated paperboard box in combination with a lid having flaps connected thereto is the packaging of large quantities of meat, for example 100 to 150 pounds. Although containers ofthe type described above have been designed and can be effectively used to package large quantities of meat, a problem is presented with respect to the'mounting of the lid on the box. Thus, if such a box-lid combination is to be a useful, a reasonably automated system is required whereby a separate lid with flaps can be automatically and quickly mounted on a box whiclfis filled with meat.
The method and apparatus disclosed; herein provides a solution to this problem.
- Additionally,,the. method and apparatus disclosed herein provides a solution ;to a numberof other problems which often'arise when a large'quantity of relatively heavy material is to be packaged. in a box of .the type described above. More-specifically, one of the problems which often occurs in sucha packaging operation is the'distortio'n. of the coittain'erfFor example,
thereof may be bowed outwardly. When such a distortion of the box occurs, it is difficult to obtain an acceptable adhesive bond between the entire surface of the flaps and the side walls of the box. The method and apparatus disclosedherein also providesa solution to this problem. i
2' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION P In accordance withthe preferred embodiment of it he method and apparatus of this inventiomamachine is .tion. In operation, a filled container is positioned below the lid support section. Mounted above the lid support section is a reciprocable mandrel. Pivotally mounted on opposed sides of the mandrel are squeezer plates. Mounted on top of the mandrel are a pair of double cyl- 1 inders for actuating the squeezer plates. When operated, a double acting cylinder causes the mandrel to descend=which pushes a lid past the lid support section and onto:the top of the box. The mandrel presses down on the central portion of the lid and thus holds the lid in place on top of the box. While the lid is so disposed,
thedouble acting cylinders on the mandrel are actuated causing the squeezer plates to move into parallel relation. Thus, the end flaps on the lid, which have an adhesive disposed on the under side thereof, are secured to they end panels of the box.
' Thereafter, after the mandrel has been withdrawn, the box may be moved horizontally. During such horizontal movement, the box is subjected to a first transverse compression wherein any outward bulging of the box is removed. Adhesive is then deposited on the side flaps and the side flaps are folded down adjacent to the side walls of the box. The side flaps and the box are subjected to a second transverse compression.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I FIGS. 1-3 are perspective drawings showing the steps performed to mount a lid on an open top box.
FIG. 4 is a top view of a machine constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along the section line 5-5 of FIG. 1.
line 8--8 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view taken along the section line 9--9 of FIG. 4. FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken along the provided wherein a box lid having sideflaps and end flaps may be automatically mour ited on are secured to a filled, open top box. '-lh e machinepref erably includes a section for storing a quantity offsuch lids and means for sequentially feeding such a lid' supp o flsec section line 10-10 of FIG. 4.
; DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1-3 suggest the general operations performed by the machine disclosed herein. Thus, in FIG. 1, there is shown a box or container 15 which is a filled, open top box preferably made of corrugated paperboard. Disposed on top of the box 15 is a lid 16 which has a central portion. l7, end flaps 18 and 19 foldably con- Y nected thereto and a pair of side flaps 20, 21 which are the side flaps 20 and 21 may be folded downwardly as suggested in FIG. 2. Similarly, the side flaps 20 and 21 are folded downwardly into face abutting relation with the side walls of the box 15 and held or compressed against the side walls until an adhesive bond is secured thus providing the box construction shown in FIG. 3.
. As may be noted from a consideration of FIG. 3, the
side flaps of the lid 16 are the same height as the height of the container 15. As such, if the side flaps 'are bonded to the side walls of the container across their entire surface, the side flaps essentially provide a second wall which, in turn, provides substantial stacking strength. Additionally, since the side flaps are integral with and foldably connected to the central portion 17, they help to resist the outward forces imposed upon the box by the material packaged therein and thus assist in maintaining the container in an upright configuration, i.e., the side flaps together with the central portion 17 tend to prevent the container side walls from being bowed outwardly.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown therein a top view of a machine constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant'invention and generally referred to in FIG. 4 by the reference number 25. The machine includes a plurality of upright and horizontal members generally designated by the reference number and, in combination, constituting a frame. In general, themachine 25 shown in FIG. 4 includes three sections, namely, a lid supply and feeding section 31, a forming section 32 and a compression or second forming section 33.
The lid supply and feeding section 31 is generally comprised of a conventional paperboard blank feeding mechanism. Thus, only a brief description thereof will be given since this section will be familiar to those skilled in the art.
Attached to the horizontal frame members 30, which are preferably angle iron members, are horizontally disposed support plates 35. A quantity of lid blanks 16 are vertically stacked at the right hand end of the lid supply section 31. The blanks are supported by disposing end flaps l8 and 19 upon the horizontal support members 35. Disposed below the plane defined by the horizontal support members 35 is a chain which carries a kicker plate 41 and is driven by a motor 42. Additionally, below the support members 35, there are mounted two vacuum cups 45, 46 connected to a vacuum source 47.
When it is desired to feed a lid to the forming section 32, the motor 42 and the vacuum cups 45, 46 are actuated. Thereby, the lowermost lid in the stack is drawn downwardly and, as the chain moves, the kicker 41 engages the right hand edge of the lowermost lid and moves it to the left, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, a blank is fed from the lid storage section 31 to the forming section 42 and comes to rest in the forming section 42 where, as shown in FIG. 4, the left hand edge of the side flap 20 abuts the longitudinal frame member 30a. Preferably, the lid storage section 31 includes glue guns 50, 51 disposed as shown in FIG. 4 so as to deposit a quantity of adhesive material, e.g. a hot melt glue, upon the under side of the flaps 18, 19 as the lid is fed to the forming section 32. The glue guns 50, 51, may be actuated by anyconventional means, for example a switch or photocell which detects the movement of the end flaps of a lid past the glue guns.
Considering FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, it will be seen that the forming section of the machine 25 includes a reciprocatingly mounted mandrel plate 60. To provide the desired reciprocating action, an overhead cross member 61 is mounted on the frame of the machine as shown in FIG. 4. Mounted on the overhead cross member 61 is a double acting piston and cylinder 62. As may be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the piston 62a is affixed, at its is fixedly attached to the top of the plate 60 as at 75.
Similarly, the endof the piston 72 is fixedly attached tc the top of the plate 60 as at 76. The pistons 71, 73 are fixedly attached to collars 80, 81, respectively, which are mounted on the shafts 69, 68 respectively. Thus, when the double acting cylinders 70, 72 are actuated, the shafts 69 and 68 will rotate through a predetermined angle.
Also mounted on the shafts 68,69 are collars 84, and 86, 87 respectively. A pair of squeezer plates 90, 91 are connected to the collars 86, 87 and 84, 85 by arms 92, 93 and 94, 95, respectively.
Considering particularly FIG. 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that a box or container 15 has been positioned beneath the mandrel 60 and is disposed upon a conveyor 100. The conveyor belt is trained over rollers 101, 102 which are driven by a motor which is not shown in the drawings. A support plate 103 is disposed beneath the top of the conveyor belt 100 and is affixed to the frame 30 of the machine. When the machine 25 is started, the conveyor 100 will be activated and will continue to run until a filled container is fed to the conveyor. When a container is introduced onto the conveyor 100 it will be moved into the forming section 32. The longitudinally disposed guide bars 89, 99 insure that the container is transversely aligned on the conveyor. The conveyor 100 will continue to operate until the container is positioned beneath the mandrel 60. To detect that the filled containeris in the desired longitudinal position beneath the mandrel, a container position detector, such as photocell 101 in FIG. 6, may be employed to generate a signal and stop the conveyor. In the'event that the inertia of the container causes it to move beyond the desired longitudinal location, rotatablymounted arms, .shown in section at I06 and 107 in.FIG. 6, may be provided'on the frame of'the machine and which, in response to the signal from the container position detector 101, rotate so as to abut the end walls of the container and thus positively insure the longitudinal position of the container on the conveyor. Also in response to the signal from the container position detector 101, a lid blank may be fed from the lid supply section 31 by actuating the motor 42 and the vacuum cups 45, 46. I
Considering now the operation of the forming section 32 of the machine 25, the sequence of operations will commence after a lid blank 16 has been fed to the forming section and is supported below the mandrel 60 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and a filled, open top box or container 15 has been positioned thereunder. Thus, referring specifically to FIG. 6, the double acting piston and cylinder 62 is actuated, for example, in response to the delivery of the lid blank, causing the mandrel 60 to move downward and bear against the central portion 17 of the lid 16 and thus pushing the lid 16 downwardly past the support members 39. Thus, the central portion I! of the lid 16 is disposed upon the top of the container 15 and is maintained in position by the downward force of the mandrel 60 bearing against the central portion 17. While the lid 16 is thus held in position, the double acting pistons 70, 72 are actuated with the result that the squeezer plates 90, 91 are moved into parallel opposing relation and, in the process thereof, bend the end flaps 19, downwardly and into face abutting relation with the end walls of the container 15. Recalling that an adhesive had previously been deposited upon the under side of the end flaps 19, 20, it will be appreciated that this movement of the squeezer plates 90, 91 secures the end flaps 19, 20 to the end walls of the container 15. Referring to FIG. 7, this configuration of the container 15, the squeezer plates 90, 91 and the end flaps 19, 20 will be seen. After maintaining the squeezer plates 90, 91 in the position shown in FIG. 7 for a period of time sufficient to insure a secure adhesive bond, the double acting cylinders 70, 72 are reverse actuated and thereby return the squeezer plates 90, 91 to the position shown in FIG. 6. Thereafter, the piston and cylinder 62 are reverse actuated and the mandrel plate 60 is reciprocated upwardly leaving the container 15 in a condition wherein the lid 16 is mounted on the container 15 by the end flaps 19, 20. At this point in the process, it will be appreciated that the side flaps 20, 21 are horizontally disposed.
After the sequence of steps described above, the conveyor belt 100 commences to move and thus delivers the box 15, with the lid 16 thereon to the conveyor belt 110. Preferably, the conveyor belt 110 is continuously operated whereas the conveyor belt 100 is discontinuously operated, i.e., with respect to the conveyor belt 100, when a box is delivered to the machine the conveyor belt 100 is actuated so as to position the box 15 below the mandrel 60 whereupon the conveyor belt 100 stops. After the forming sequence described above, the conveyor belt 100 is again actuated to deliver the box 15 to the continuously running conveyor belt 110.
Referring again to FIG. 4 and particularly to the compression section 33 of the machine 25, it will be seen that immediately downstream of the forming section 32, there are provided a plurality of vertically disposed, longitudinally aligned rollers 115. Additionally, referring to both FIGS. 4 and 7, it will be seen that two pairs of rods 116, 118 and 119, 120 are fixed to the frame 30 and are horizontally disposed outwardly of the rollers 115. I
Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 8, it will be seen that downstream of the rollers 115, which define a first transverse compression section, the rods 116, 118 and 119,- 120 are arcuately disposed so as to curve inwardly and downwardly such that at the end of the rods, i.e., adjacent to the roller 125, the bottom rod of each pair is somewhat inwardly disposed with respect to its respective top rod and each of the pair of rods, as shown in FIG. 8, is disposed adjacent to the conveyor belt 1 10. As previously indicated and as shown in FIG. 8, a hold down roll 125 is rotatably mounted on the frame of the machine as shown in FIG. 8.
Referring again to FIG. 4, it will be seen that downstream of the hold down roll 125 there is provided a second configuration of rollers, namely rollers 130 which are disposed similar to the configuration of the rollers 115 and provide a second transverse compression zone. The conveyor belt 110, as shown in FIG. 4, extends throughout the length of the compression section 33 so as to move a container through the first and second compression sections defined above.
The following comments will describe the operation of the compression section 33 of the machine 25. Referring to FIG. 7, after the squeezer plates 90, 91 have been retracted and the mandrel 60 has been withdrawn above the level of the support shelves 39, the conveyor is activated to deliver the container 15 to the compression section, i.e., onto the top of the continuously moving conveyor 110. A close inspection of FIG. 7 will reveal that the vertically aligned rods 119, 120 define a space therebetween which is longitudinally aligned with the horizontally extending side flaps of the lid 16 on the box 15. Thus, as the box 15 moves into the compression section, the side flaps are maintained in a horizontal position by the vertically aligned bars 119, 120 and 116, 118. As the box proceeds into the compression section 33, it will be seen from an inspection of FIG. 4 that the vertically disposed compression rollers will compress the side walls of the box 15. Thus, any deformation of the box which has occurred because of the outward forces imposed thereon by the contents of the box will be removed. Such a first or initial compression is particularly significant when attempting to seal a lid to a box which contains meat. Thus, it has been found that large quantities of meat, when packaged in a container, tend to settle over a period of time and thus impose outward forces uponthe walls of the container. However, it has also been found that large quantities of meat in a package display somewhat plastic properties. Thus, although meat may settle in a container and thus push the side walls outwardly, it has been found that if the container is then subjected to a transverse compression, the meat will be slightly compacted and will maintain this compacted state for a short period of time. Thus, the function of the vertically aligned rollers 115 is to subject the side walls of a box 15 to a first transverse compression whereby the symmetry of the box is regained through compressing the contents of the box.
As previously indicated, while the box is passing through the first compression stage, the side flaps of the lid are maintained in a horizontal position by the bars 119, 120, and 116, 118. As the box exists from the rollers 115, upwardly directed glue guns 150, 151 are provided on the frame of the machine as shown in FIG. 4. Through the use of appropriate sensing devices, for example photocells or switches, the glue guns 150, 151 may be actuated so as to apply or spray an adhesive on the under surface of the side flaps as they pass the glue guns as shown in FIG. 9. 7
As the side flaps of the lid pass the glue guns 150, 151 do to movement of the container 15 on the conveyor 1 10, the flaps enter the section of the compression section 33 wherein the bars 116, 118 and 119, 120 curve inwardly and downwardly. The purpose of providing this arrangement of the bars is to fold or plow down the side flaps 20, 21. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the side flaps 20, 21 are folded downwardly towards the side walls of the box 15. Thereafter, the box passes beneath the hold down roller which subjects the box to a vertical compression and the box then enters a second transverse compression section which is defined by the longitudinally aligned, vertically disposed rollers 130. At this point, it will be appreciated that when the box enters the second compression section, the side flaps 20, 21 have had glue applied to their under surface and have been folded downwardly adjacent to the side walls of the container. Thus, as the conveyor belt 110 moves the box between the rollers 130, the rollers compress the side flaps 20, 21 against the side walls of the container as shown in FIG. 10 and thus a uniform and secure adhesive bond is obtained between the side flaps 20, 21 and the sides of the container 15. Thereafter, referring to P16. 4, the conveyor belt 110 delivers the sealed container to a delivery station 135. Containers delivered to the station 135 will appear as shown in FIG. 3.
Although a preferred embodiment of my invention has hereinbefore been described, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications may be made without departing from the scope of my invention. For example, in the preferred embodiment of my machine as described above, adhesive is deposited upon the under side of the end flaps when the lid blank is fed to the forming section. Similarly, in the above described machine, adhesive is applied to the under surface of the side flaps during movement of the container through the compression section 33. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a number of different, but equivalent, method steps or apparatus elements may be used to provide the necessary adhesive for sealing the flaps of the lid. For example, rather than depositing adhesive on. the under side of the flaps, an adhesive may be applied to the side walls or end walls of the container at an appropriate location within the machine. Similarly, machine elements other then rollers may be employed to provide the desired transverse compression as a container moves through the machine. Thus, it will be understood that the scope of my invention is to be determined by the claims appended hereto.
I claim:
1. An apparatus for applying to a filled container a lid, which includes a central portion having opposed side flaps and end flaps foldably connected to said central portion, which comprises:
a. a frame;
b. a reciprocable mandrel mounted on said frame;
c. means for reciprocating said mandrel;
d. a pair of squeezer plates pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said mandrel;
e. means for positioning a container below said mandrel;
f. means for depositing an adhesive so as to be disposed between said end flaps and the end walls of said container when said lid is mounted on said container;
g. means mounted on said mandrel for moving said squeezer plates into parallel relation with each other whereby downward movement of said mandrel holds said lid on said container while said squeezer plates compress the end flaps of said lid against said container;
h. means for laterally moving said container after the end flaps of saidlid have been secured thereto; and
i. means for securing said side flaps to said container while said container is moving laterally.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adhesive depositing means deposits adhesive on the under surface of the end flaps of a lid.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adhesive depositing means deposits and adhesive on the outer surface of the end walls of a container.
4. An apparatus for applying to a filled container a lid having a central panel and end flaps and side flaps foldably connected to said central panel, which comprises:
a. a frame;
b. a mandrel reciprocally mounted on said frame for holding the central panel of a lid on a filled container positioned under said mandrel;
0. means mounted on said mandrel for compressing 'the end flaps of said lid against said container while said mandrel is holding said lid;
d. first and second transverse compression sections;
e. means intermediate said first and second transverse compression sections for folding down said side flaps; and
f. means for moving said container through said first and second compression sections after said end flaps have been compressed against said container.
5. The apparatusof claim 4 wherein said end flap compressing means comprises:
a.: a pair of downwardly extending squeezer plates pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said mandrel, and
b. means mounted on said mandrel for moving said squeezer plates into parallel relation with each other.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 which further includes:
a. means mounted on said frame-for supporting a lid above a filled container positioned within said I frame;
b. means for storing a supply of lids; and
c. means for sequentially feeding lids from said storage means to said support means.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said plate moving means comprises a pair of double acting pistons and cylinders mountedon the top of said mandrel, each of said pistons and cylinders being connected to a respective one of said squeezer plates.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for moving said container comprises a first conveyor belt below said mandrel and a second conveyor belt extending from the beginning'of'said first transverse compression section to the end of said second transverse compression section.

Claims (8)

1. An apparatus for applying to a filled container a lid, which includes a central portion having opposed side flaps and end flaps foldably connected to said central portion, which comprises: a. a frame; b. a reciprocable mandrel mounted on said frame; c. means for reciprocating said mandrel; d. a pair of squeezer plates pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said mandrel; e. means for positioning a container below said mandrel; f. means for depositing an adhesive so as to be disposed between said end flaps and the end walls of said container when said lid is mounted on said container; g. means mounted on said mandrel for moving said squeezer plates into parallel relation with each other whereby downward movement of said mandrel holds said lid on said container while said squeezer plates compress the end flaps of Said lid against said container; h. means for laterally moving said container after the end flaps of said lid have been secured thereto; and i. means for securing said side flaps to said container while said container is moving laterally.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adhesive depositing means deposits adhesive on the under surface of the end flaps of a lid.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adhesive depositing means deposits and adhesive on the outer surface of the end walls of a container.
4. An apparatus for applying to a filled container a lid having a central panel and end flaps and side flaps foldably connected to said central panel, which comprises: a. a frame; b. a mandrel reciprocally mounted on said frame for holding the central panel of a lid on a filled container positioned under said mandrel; c. means mounted on said mandrel for compressing the end flaps of said lid against said container while said mandrel is holding said lid; d. first and second transverse compression sections; e. means intermediate said first and second transverse compression sections for folding down said side flaps; and f. means for moving said container through said first and second compression sections after said end flaps have been compressed against said container.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said end flap compressing means comprises: a. a pair of downwardly extending squeezer plates pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said mandrel; and b. means mounted on said mandrel for moving said squeezer plates into parallel relation with each other.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 which further includes: a. means mounted on said frame for supporting a lid above a filled container positioned within said frame; b. means for storing a supply of lids; and c. means for sequentially feeding lids from said storage means to said support means.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said plate moving means comprises a pair of double acting pistons and cylinders mounted on the top of said mandrel, each of said pistons and cylinders being connected to a respective one of said squeezer plates.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for moving said container comprises a first conveyor belt below said mandrel and a second conveyor belt extending from the beginning of said first transverse compression section to the end of said second transverse compression section.
US432047A 1974-01-09 1974-01-09 Apparatus for mounting a lid on a container Expired - Lifetime US3896607A (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US432047A US3896607A (en) 1974-01-09 1974-01-09 Apparatus for mounting a lid on a container
CA200,057A CA1018126A (en) 1974-01-09 1974-05-16 Method and apparatus for mounting a lid on a container
AU73624/74A AU7362474A (en) 1974-01-09 1974-09-24 Mounting a lid
GB41458/74A GB1486463A (en) 1974-01-09 1974-09-25 Method and apparatus for mounting a lid on a container
FR7433993A FR2256869A1 (en) 1974-01-09 1974-10-09
IT53434/74A IT1021736B (en) 1974-01-09 1974-10-09 PROCEDURE AND EQUIPMENT FOR APPLYING A COVER TO A NITOR COUNTER
ES431820A ES431820A1 (en) 1974-01-09 1974-11-11 Apparatus for mounting a lid on a container
CA276,416A CA1042398A (en) 1974-01-09 1977-04-19 Method and apparatus for mounting a lid on a container

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US432047A US3896607A (en) 1974-01-09 1974-01-09 Apparatus for mounting a lid on a container

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3896607A true US3896607A (en) 1975-07-29

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US432047A Expired - Lifetime US3896607A (en) 1974-01-09 1974-01-09 Apparatus for mounting a lid on a container

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US (1) US3896607A (en)
AU (1) AU7362474A (en)
CA (1) CA1018126A (en)
ES (1) ES431820A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2256869A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1486463A (en)
IT (1) IT1021736B (en)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3979883A (en) * 1975-06-05 1976-09-14 Bruce R. Schoeneweis Container lid mounting device
US4012998A (en) * 1975-09-17 1977-03-22 Genevieve I. Hanscom Carton sealing method and apparatus
US4398902A (en) * 1980-07-08 1983-08-16 Weyerhaeuser Company Method of making container with hinged cover
US4400929A (en) * 1980-03-03 1983-08-30 Yuwa Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha Apparatus for forming box-shaped covering body
US4785610A (en) * 1986-09-23 1988-11-22 In-Pak S.P.A. Automatic machine for packaging products of different kinds in boxes
US5105950A (en) * 1990-09-17 1992-04-21 Moore Business Forms, Inc. Zip off lid for two piece crushable carton
US5369939A (en) * 1993-03-23 1994-12-06 Moen Industries, Inc. High speed lidder
ES2119602A1 (en) * 1994-10-28 1998-10-01 Engranajes Ekin S A Automatic gluing machine for covers on boxes of fresh fruit
US6048421A (en) * 1998-05-29 2000-04-11 Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. Automatic lid forming machine
WO2002096755A1 (en) * 2001-05-30 2002-12-05 United States Postal Service Automatic lidder and/or un-lidder system and method
CN108557130A (en) * 2018-05-15 2018-09-21 温岭市金悦自动化设备有限公司 A kind of upper box lid station of packing production chain
US20190240943A1 (en) * 2016-10-25 2019-08-08 Sealed Air Corporation (Us) Packaging assembly system
CN111924206A (en) * 2020-08-10 2020-11-13 安徽金三环金属科技有限公司 Aluminum strip packing device

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US2584925A (en) * 1948-06-09 1952-02-05 Emhart Mfg Co Machine for closing cartons
US3327452A (en) * 1964-05-21 1967-06-27 Devco Inc Folding machine for two piece wrapper
US3530637A (en) * 1968-03-25 1970-09-29 American Flange & Mfg Method and apparatus for sealing open head containers
US3634995A (en) * 1970-07-15 1972-01-18 Int Paper Co Method and apparatus for lidding cartons

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2584925A (en) * 1948-06-09 1952-02-05 Emhart Mfg Co Machine for closing cartons
US3327452A (en) * 1964-05-21 1967-06-27 Devco Inc Folding machine for two piece wrapper
US3530637A (en) * 1968-03-25 1970-09-29 American Flange & Mfg Method and apparatus for sealing open head containers
US3634995A (en) * 1970-07-15 1972-01-18 Int Paper Co Method and apparatus for lidding cartons

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3979883A (en) * 1975-06-05 1976-09-14 Bruce R. Schoeneweis Container lid mounting device
US4012998A (en) * 1975-09-17 1977-03-22 Genevieve I. Hanscom Carton sealing method and apparatus
US4400929A (en) * 1980-03-03 1983-08-30 Yuwa Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha Apparatus for forming box-shaped covering body
US4398902A (en) * 1980-07-08 1983-08-16 Weyerhaeuser Company Method of making container with hinged cover
US4785610A (en) * 1986-09-23 1988-11-22 In-Pak S.P.A. Automatic machine for packaging products of different kinds in boxes
US5105950A (en) * 1990-09-17 1992-04-21 Moore Business Forms, Inc. Zip off lid for two piece crushable carton
US5369939A (en) * 1993-03-23 1994-12-06 Moen Industries, Inc. High speed lidder
ES2119602A1 (en) * 1994-10-28 1998-10-01 Engranajes Ekin S A Automatic gluing machine for covers on boxes of fresh fruit
US6048421A (en) * 1998-05-29 2000-04-11 Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. Automatic lid forming machine
WO2002096755A1 (en) * 2001-05-30 2002-12-05 United States Postal Service Automatic lidder and/or un-lidder system and method
US6604337B2 (en) 2001-05-30 2003-08-12 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Postal Service Automatic lidder and/or un-lidder system and method
US7021033B2 (en) 2001-05-30 2006-04-04 United States Postal Service Container strap cutting method
US20190240943A1 (en) * 2016-10-25 2019-08-08 Sealed Air Corporation (Us) Packaging assembly system
CN108557130A (en) * 2018-05-15 2018-09-21 温岭市金悦自动化设备有限公司 A kind of upper box lid station of packing production chain
CN111924206A (en) * 2020-08-10 2020-11-13 安徽金三环金属科技有限公司 Aluminum strip packing device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1021736B (en) 1978-02-20
CA1018126A (en) 1977-09-27
AU7362474A (en) 1976-04-01
ES431820A1 (en) 1976-10-16
FR2256869A1 (en) 1975-08-01
GB1486463A (en) 1977-09-21

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