Apparatus and method for enclosing of container groups

Claim 2

Apparatus for enclosing a discrete group of articles such as cans or bottles arranged in two side-by-side rows in a tubular carton sleeve of rectangular cross section open at the top and bottom and having bottom closure elements including opposed side closure panels and spaced foldable gusset panels connecting side edges of said closure panels to end panels of said sleeve, said apparatus comprising: a. conveying means, including first, second, and third conveying reaches adapted to move groups of said articles therealong; b. said first reach being of substantially the same width as said two rows with said groups being stable as they move therealong; c. said second reach being of a width whereby said articles are unstable in directions laterally thereof; d. means for placing a carton sleeve over said group so that said carton sleeve embraces the sides of the articles of said group as said group moves from said first reach onto said second reach whereby said articles are stable within the sleeve embracing the same; e. said second reach being of a width whereby said bottom closure elements and said spaced foldable gusset panels extend below and flank said second reach; f. means for closing said bottom closure elements as said group moves onto said third reach.

Claim 3

The invention according to claim 1 wherein said closing means includes gusset panel folding means engaging said gusset panels as said group moves from said second reach to said third reach.

Claim 4

The invention according to claim 2 wherein said closing means includes means for folding said side closure panels into closing position with said gusset panels also in closing position.

Claim 5

In a method for enclosing a discrete group of articles arranged in two side-by-side rows in a rectangular tubular carton sleeve open at the top and bottom and having top closure elements and bottom closure elements including opposed side closure bottom panels and spaced foldable gusset panels connecting side edges of said closure panelS to end panels of said sleeve, the steps of: a. conveying said articles along a conveyer reach having a lateral dimension whereby said articles are stable in directions laterally of said reach; b. conveying said articles along a second reach having a lateral dimension whereby said articles are unstable in directions laterally of said reach; c. placing a carton sleeve over a group of said articles so that said carton sleeve embraces the sides of the articles of said group as said group moves from said first reach onto said second reach whereby said articles are stable within said carton sleeve; d. resting said carton sleeve at the ends thereof in contact with said second reach with said bottom closure elements depending therebelow with said gusset panels flanking said reach at right angles thereto; e. folding said gusset panels as said sleeve moves along said second reach; f. completing the closing of said side closure panels as said articles move from said second reach.

Claim 6

In a method for enclosing a discrete group of articles arranged in two side-by-side rows in a rectangular tubular carton sleeve open at the top and bottom and having top closure elements and bottom closure elements including opposed side closure bottom panels and spaced foldable gusset panels connecting side edges of said closure panelS to end panels of said sleeve, the steps of: a. conveying said articles along a conveyer reach having a lateral dimension whereby said articles are stable in directions laterally of said reach; b. conveying said articles along a second reach having a lateral dimension whereby said articles are unstable in directions laterally of said reach; c. placing a carton sleeve over a group of said articles so that said carton sleeve embraces the sides of the articles of said group as said group moves from said first reach onto said second reach whereby said articles are stable within said carton sleeve; d. resting said carton sleeve at the ends thereof in contact with said second reach with said bottom closure elements depending therebelow with said gusset panels flanking said reach at right angles thereto; e. folding said gusset panels as said sleeve moves along said second reach; f. completing the closing of said side closure panels as said articles move from said second reach.

Claim 7

A method according to claim 3 which includes the step of adhering side closure bottom panels of said sleeve together.

Claim 8

A method according to claim 5 which includes the step of gluing the surfaces of at least one of said lower portions prior to said closing step.

Claim 9

Apparatus for enclosing a discrete group of articles such as cans or bottles arranged in two side-by-side rows in a tubular carton sleeve of rectangular cross section open at the top and bottom and having bottom closure elements including opposed side closure panels and additional bottom closure elements foldably connected to end panels of said sleeve, said apparatus comprising: a. conveying means, including first, second, and third conveying reaches adapted to move groups of said articles therealong; b. said first reach being of substantially the same width as said two rows with said groups being stable as they move therealong; c. said second reach being so configured whereby said articles are unstable in directions laterally thereof; d. means for placing a carton sleeve over said group so that said carton sleeve embraces the sides of the articles of said group as said group moves from said first reach onto said second reach whereby said articles are stable within the sleeve embracing the same; e. said second reach being of a width whereby said bottom closure elements and said additional bottom closure elements extend below and flank said second reach; f. means for closing all of said bottom closure elements as said group moves onto said third reach.

Claim 10

Apparatus for enclosing a discrete group of articles such as cans or bottles arranged in two side-by-side rows in a tubular carton sleeve of rectangular cross section open at the top and bottom and having bottom closure elements including opposed side closure panels and additional bottom closure elements foldably connected to end panels of said sleeve, said apparatus comprising: a. conveying means, including first, second, and third conveying reaches adapted to move groups of said articles therealong; b. said first reach being of substantially the same width as said two rows with said groups being stable as they move therealong; c. said second reach being so configured whereby said articles are unstable in directions laterally thereof; d. means for placing a carton sleeve over said group so that said carton sleeve embraces the sides of the articles of said group as said group moves from said first reach onto said second reach whereby said articles are stable within the sleeve embracing the same; e. said second reach being of a width whereby said bottom closure elements and said additional bottom closure elements extend below and flank said second reach; f. means for closing all of said bottom closure elements as said group moves onto said third reach.

Claim 11

The invention according to claim 7 wherein said closing means includes means engaging said additional bottom closure elements as said group moves from said second reach to said third reach.

Claim 12

The invention according to claim 7 wherein said closing means includes means for folding said side closure panels into closing position with said additional bottom closure elements also in closing position.

Claim 13

In a method for enclosing a discrete group of articles arranged in two side-by-siderows in a rectangular tubular carton sleeve open at the top and bottom and having top closure elements and bottom closure elements including opposed side closure bottom panels and additional bottom closure elements foldably connected to end panels of said sleeve, the steps of: a. conveying said articles along a conveyer reach having a lateral dimension whereby said articles are stable in directions laterally of said reach; b. conveying said articles along a second reach having a lateral dimension whereby said articles are unstable in directions laterally of said reach; c. placing a carton sleeve over a group of said articles so that said carton sleeve embraces the sides of the articles of said group as said group moves from said first reach onto said second reach whereby said articles are stable within said carton sleeve; d. resting said carton sleeve at the ends thereof in contact with said second reach with said bottOm closure elements depending therebelow with said additional bottom closure elements flanking said reach at right angles thereto; e. folding said additional bottom closure elements as said sleeve moves along said second reach; f. completing the closing of said side closure panels as said articles move from said second reach to said third reach.

Claim 14

In a method for enclosing a discrete group of articles arranged in two side-by-siderows in a rectangular tubular carton sleeve open at the top and bottom and having top closure elements and bottom closure elements including opposed side closure bottom panels and additional bottom closure elements foldably connected to end panels of said sleeve, the steps of: a. conveying said articles along a conveyer reach having a lateral dimension whereby said articles are stable in directions laterally of said reach; b. conveying said articles along a second reach having a lateral dimension whereby said articles are unstable in directions laterally of said reach; c. placing a carton sleeve over a group of said articles so that said carton sleeve embraces the sides of the articles of said group as said group moves from said first reach onto said second reach whereby said articles are stable within said carton sleeve; d. resting said carton sleeve at the ends thereof in contact with said second reach with said bottOm closure elements depending therebelow with said additional bottom closure elements flanking said reach at right angles thereto; e. folding said additional bottom closure elements as said sleeve moves along said second reach; f. completing the closing of said side closure panels as said articles move from said second reach to said third reach.

Claim 15

A method according to claim 10 which includes the step of adhering said closure bottom panels of said sleeve together.