Apparatus for continuously feeding and controlling wraparound carrier for packaging a plurality of articles or containers is disclosed. The carriers are of the type having at least two draw-down and feed openings, one opening formed on each side thereof. Each carrier is initially partially wrapped about a plurality of containers. The carrier and container assemblies move along a guide track to the entrance of the carton draw-down (tightening) conveyor line of the present invention. The conveyor line comprises a pair of continuously moving timing chains having a plurality of draw-down lugs pivotally attached to and spaced apart along the chain. Each lug includes a tongue portion adapted for insertion through the openings to feed and to draw down the side walls, and also to control the positioning and movement of the containers. As the partially assembled carrier and containers enter between the moving chains, a cam follower portion of the lugs contact the camming rails, causing the lugs to sequentially pivot downwardly and into contact with the openings formed in the carrier. The carrier is moved along the conveyor line with the lugs engaging the containers through the carrier apertures for positive control. Downward pressure is applied by the lugs to the carrier, causing the carrier to be pulled down and tightened about the containers. The lugs are pivoted out of contact with the carrier as the carrier exits the conveyor line to complete the assembly process.
A machine for packaging a group of articles in a wraparound type carrier blank having a plurality of pairs of article retaining flaps struck from certain portions of the carrier blank is provided with a plurality of tucking studs movable in synchronism with a group of articles and with the blank on which a flap folding element is pivotally mounted and provided with a cam follower arranged to engage a cam surface whereby said flap folding element is rotated in cooperation with movement of said tucking stud so as to effect folding of a leading and trailing flap.
An improvement in a method and related apparatus for filling a carton with successive stacks of articles, for example teabags. The carton is moved forward in a stepwise manner between filling steps. At least one side wall of the carton is distorted inwardly immediately behind a last deposited stack of the articles to restrain the stack from tipping over as a result of the movement.
A conveyor system is provided which is capable of forming precisely positioned arrays of containers for packing and other processing operations. Unique alignment pins are provided for stopping the advancement of containers being conveyed by conveyor belts. Each pin has a top surface shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the gap defined by the bases of two adjacent touching containers. The top surface engages the bases of passing containers when the pin is in its retracted position.
A carton activating mechanism (26) for opening the gatefold seats of a paperboard carton blank (13) is disclosed. A rotatable disc (30) carries a spaced series of activators (34), each of which includes a plate (35) having a pair of pivotally-connected fingers (37). The plate is reciprocably mounted on the disc by a pin (36) received in a groove (32) defined on a stationary plate (31) positioned with respect to the disc. Each of the fingers has a projection (40) and a cooperating abutment (41 ) so that the respective fingers are moved outwardly into an extended position, and then spread apart into an open position to fold the gatefold seats of the carton blank before closing and being retracted from the gatefold seats of the carton blank.
A carton packaging apparatus for use in wrapping open-ended sleeve type carton blanks around a pre-formed group of articles being moved along a path of travel through a packaging machine as disclosed. The apparatus includes a series of spaced guide members (30) which move along the path of travel and are adapted to engage one of the side panels (12, 13) of a successive series of carton blanks (10) being moved along the path of travel. The guide members are spaced so as to engage the leading edge and trailing edge of each one of the paperboard blanks as they are advanced along the path of the travel. Each guide member has an engagement element (35) which has an elongated link (36) with a foot (37) formed at one end, the other end of the link being pivotally fastened to the guide member. Each of the engagement elements moves with its respective guide member as a pin (38) projecting from the link is received within a groove (39) formed as a part of the apparatus for movement of the link, and thus the foot, relative to the movement of the guide member along the path of the travel for urging a trailing tuck panel of the carton blank into a position adjacent the side panel of the carton blank as the carton blank is being wrapped about the pre-formed group of articles. The apparatus is also provided with at least one guide wall (41) positioned with respect to the path of travel for guiding the side panels of the carton blank downward and about the group of articles, and a rotating wheel (42) also adapted to fold the sides of the carton blank about the pre-formed group of articles.
