Shipping carton closure machine

Claim 2

A machine for closing the flaps of a shipping carton comprisinG a frame; horizontal platform means attached to said frame for supporting a loaded carton with a pair of open, upwardly extending side flaps; means for moving said flaps to an angular partially closed position with respect to a horizontal plane; means for moving said carton in a vertical path while said flaps are held in their angular position; stop means attached to said frame and located in said vertical path; closure means for engaging the edges of said angularly positioned flaps as said carton is moved vertically and for closing said flaps to a horizontal position when the carton engages said stop means.

Claim 3

The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said carton vertically comprises a support means positionable at the same level as said horizontal platform, a vertical guide means, means for slidably attaching said support means to said guide means, and linear actuating means for moving said support means along said guide means, said closure means comprising transverse bar means spaced vertically from and attached to said support means.

Claim 4

The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said stop means comprises a pair of horizontal, transverse bar members attached to said frame for supporting said carton.

Claim 5

The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said support means is movable downwardly to enable the carton to engage said stop means.

Claim 6

A machine for closing the flaps of a shipping carton comprising a frame; horizontal platform means attached to said frame for receiving and supporting a loaded carton with open, upwardly extending side flaps; a horizontally reciprocable carriage means and linear actuator means connected thereto for moving said carriage means with alternate back and forth strokes; said carriage means including a first pusher means for moving a carton along said platform means during a first stroke, a flap bending means for partially closing said side flaps on a return stroke in a direction opposite to said first stroke, and a second pusher means for pushing a carton further along after its flaps have been partially closed; a vertically movable support assembly for receiving a carton with its flaps partially closed including upper closure means for retaining the flaps in that position; means for moving said support assembly in a vertical path; and stop means for engaging and holding the bottom of the carton so that said upper closure means can continue to move and fully close said side flaps.

Claim 7

A machine for closing the flaps of a shipping carton comprising a frame; horizontal platform means attached to said frame for receiving and supporting a loaded carton with open, upwardly extending side flaps; a horizontally reciprocable carriage means and linear actuator means connected thereto for moving said carriage means with alternate back and forth strokes; said carriage means including a first pusher means for moving a carton along said platform means during a first stroke, a flap bending means for partially closing said side flaps on a return stroke in a direction opposite to said first stroke, and a second pusher means for pushing a carton further along after its flaps have been partially closed; a vertically movable support assembly for receiving a carton with its flaps partially closed including upper closure means for retaining the flaps in that position; means for moving said support assembly in a vertical path; and stop means for engaging and holding the bottom of the carton so that said upper closure means can continue to move and fully close said side flaps.

Claim 8

The machine as described in claim 5 wherein said support assembly comprises a U-shaped member with parallel arms connected by an integral connecting portion, vertical guide means fixed to said frame and movable sleeve means on said guide means, said U-shaped member being fixed to said sleeve means.

Claim 9

The machine as described in claim 6 wherein said upper closure means comprises horizontal bar members connected by a bracket to said support assembly, said bar members being oriented transverse to the edges of said side flaps.

Claim 10

The machine as described in claim 5 wherein said flap bending means comprise a pair of rod members extending angularly from opposite sides of said carriage means and terminate at a distance apart so as to engage the end edges of the carton side flaps on the return stroke.

Claim 11

The machine as described in claim 6 wherein said support assembly includes rail members on said arms of said U-shaped member, said rail members having an angular cross section so as to hold the carton bottom side flaps in a partially open position.

Claim 12

The machine as described in claim 6 wherein said stop means comprises a plurality of horizontal bars connected by a support member to said frame, said bars being shorter than the distance between said parallel arms of said U-shaped member.

Claim 13

The machine as described in claim 5 including conveyor means attached to said frame and pusher means for moving a closed carton laterally from said stop means onto said conveyor means.