US3775937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic random size box sealer
Assignee: Devon Tape Corp
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Filing: 1972-05-10
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A machine for automatically folding and sealing boxes of various random heights, widths and lengths. The machine receives RSC (Regular Slotted Container) boxes of random dimensions whose upper flaps are open. It provides for automatically feeding these boxes one at a time into the machine, adjusting to the dimensions of the box, closing the inner and outer flaps, squaring the boxes, holding the upper flaps together and sealing the boxes and then transporting the sealed box out of the machine.
Inventors
- 👤 F Devan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:54
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B51/00; B65B51/04; B65B51/06; B65B51/067; B65B7/00; B65B7/16; B65B7/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for automatically closing and sealing the flaps of boxes of random sizes comprising a. means for transportiNg the boxes through the apparatus; b. means for feeding the boxes one at a time to said transporting means; c. means for centering the boxes as they pass through the apparatus; d. a first pivotal assembly mounted in the path of travel of said boxes having runner means for folding the top leading flap of said boxes and for raising said pivotal assembly in accordance with the height of each box as its inner flaps are being folded; e. electric eye means for sensing a predetermined position of each box at said first pivotal assembly and for providing a signal in accordance therewith; f. kicker means mounted on said first pivotal assembly for folding the trailing inner flap in accordance with said signal from said electric eye means; g. plow means for folding outer flaps of the boxes over said folded inner flaps; and h. second pivotal assembly mounted in the path of travel of said boxes, including means for adjusting to the height of each box being transported therepast and having a tape dispensing means for applying sealing tape to said boxes being transported therepast.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for automatically closing and sealing the flaps of boxes of random sizes comprising a. means for transportiNg the boxes through the apparatus; b. means for feeding the boxes one at a time to said transporting means; c. means for centering the boxes as they pass through the apparatus; d. a first pivotal assembly mounted in the path of travel of said boxes having runner means for folding the top leading flap of said boxes and for raising said pivotal assembly in accordance with the height of each box as its inner flaps are being folded; e. electric eye means for sensing a predetermined position of each box at said first pivotal assembly and for providing a signal in accordance therewith; f. kicker means mounted on said first pivotal assembly for folding the trailing inner flap in accordance with said signal from said electric eye means; g. plow means for folding outer flaps of the boxes over said folded inner flaps; and h. second pivotal assembly mounted in the path of travel of said boxes, including means for adjusting to the height of each box being transported therepast and having a tape dispensing means for applying sealing tape to said boxes being transported therepast.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said centering means comprises at least one pair of spring loaded swiveling side rails mounted on each side of the path of travel of the boxes for centering said boxes as they are transported through said apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said centering means comprises two pairs of rails, one pair being mounted at said first pivotal assembly and said second pair being mounted at said second pivotal assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said centering means further comprises a ball transfer floor on which said boxes rest while being transported through the apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said centering means comprises a low-friction phenolic board on which said boxes rest while being transported through the apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electric eye means is mounted on said first pivotal assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said electric eye means senses a trailing face of the box whose inner flaps are being folded and provides said signal in accordance therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said electric eye means comprises a pair of electric eyes, spaced apart along the path of travel of said boxes; one of said electric eyes sensing said predetermined position of said boxes and providing said signal for activating said kicker means, said predetermined position being a trailing edge of a box whose inner flaps are being folded; the other of said electric eyes sensing a separate predetermined position of said carton and providing a signal for returning said kicker means to its deactivated position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said runner means further comprises a pivotal finger means synchronized with said kicker means for holding said trailing inner flap closed after it has been folded by said kicker means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising on said second pivotal assembly a side compression assembly means for pushing the folded top outer flaps together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said side compression assembly means includes a pair of resiliently mounted inwardly pushing cradles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said plow means is mounted on said first pivotal assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said apparatus includes second plow means mounted on said second pivotal assembly for holding said outer flaps closed and for cooperating with each box to raise said second pivotal assembly in accordance with the height of each box being sealed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said pivotal assemblies are each provided with air cushions means for eliminating swinging of said pivotal assemblies.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said transporting means compRising a pusher flight bar means for engaging the trailing face of each box and pushing it through the apparatus.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
210 words
An apparatus for closing the inner flaps of boxes of random heights as they travel relative to a flap closing station, comprising an assembly pivotally mounted at said closing station; runner means mounted on said assembly for engaging the leading inner flap and edge of each box being closed and folding the leading inner flap as it travels (relative to the runner) and for transmitting a force from said moving box to said assembly to pivot said assembly to a level determined by the height of the box being closed; electric eye means mounted on said assembly for sensing the position of a rear face of the box being closed as it travels past a predetermined position on the pivotal assembly and for providing a signal in accordance therewith; and kicker means mounted on said assembly for closing the trailing flap of said carton in response to said signal from said electric eye means, whereby said kicker is at the correct height for closing the trailing flap of said box, due to pivotal movement of said assembly, and said kicker is activated when the box is in a correct position relative to the kicker on the pivotal assembly due to sensing the position of the box by electric eye means.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
210 words
An apparatus for closing the inner flaps of boxes of random heights as they travel relative to a flap closing station, comprising an assembly pivotally mounted at said closing station; runner means mounted on said assembly for engaging the leading inner flap and edge of each box being closed and folding the leading inner flap as it travels (relative to the runner) and for transmitting a force from said moving box to said assembly to pivot said assembly to a level determined by the height of the box being closed; electric eye means mounted on said assembly for sensing the position of a rear face of the box being closed as it travels past a predetermined position on the pivotal assembly and for providing a signal in accordance therewith; and kicker means mounted on said assembly for closing the trailing flap of said carton in response to said signal from said electric eye means, whereby said kicker is at the correct height for closing the trailing flap of said box, due to pivotal movement of said assembly, and said kicker is activated when the box is in a correct position relative to the kicker on the pivotal assembly due to sensing the position of the box by electric eye means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3282018A
Cited
US3502256A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |