US3884015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Carton cover closing machine
Assignee: Seymour Foods Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-28
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1993-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A machine for closing the cover members of egg cartons of the hinged tray type wherein open cartons are fed to the machine with the cover members hinged to the top edge of the egg receiving tray member on an axis tranverse of the direction of advance of the carton and with the cover members leading the tray members, and wherein a conveyor is provided for advancing successive cartons through the machine with associated mechanism for clamping the tray member of each carton on the conveyor while hinging a locking lug bearing panel on the trailing edge of the tray into position where the forward side wall of the cover member which has locking apertures therein, will overlie the panel when the cover member is moved toward closed position by operation of swinging members and forced down into fully closed position by a weighted set of overhead roller members. A date stamping device is provided and the cover closing members may be readily positioned to permit a clear passageway for filler flats which do not require the cover closing operations.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth W Melton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:38
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B7/00; B65B7/16; B65B7/26; B65B61/00; B65B61/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An apparatus for closing and latching the hinged cover member on cartons of the type which have a product receiving bottom tray with a tray-like cover hinged along one side edge and a relatively narrow panel hinged along the opposite side edge with one or more latching lugs for engagement in co-operating latching openings in the side wall adjacent the free edge of the hinged cover member, conveyor means for advancing successive cartons along a generally horizontal path with the cover member leading the bottom tray member, means for clamping the bottom tray on the conveyor means, means for swinging the latching lug panel inwardly of the trailing side wall of the bottom tray member, means for engaging the cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on an axis extending transversely of the path of advance toward a closed position, and means for progressively pressing down on the cover member as it is advanced by said conveyor means so as to completely close the cover member and position the side wall for engagement therein of lAtching lugs in the latching lug panel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
186 words
An apparatus for closing and latching the hinged cover member on cartons of the type which have a product receiving bottom tray with a tray-like cover hinged along one side edge and a relatively narrow panel hinged along the opposite side edge with one or more latching lugs for engagement in co-operating latching openings in the side wall adjacent the free edge of the hinged cover member, conveyor means for advancing successive cartons along a generally horizontal path with the cover member leading the bottom tray member, means for clamping the bottom tray on the conveyor means, means for swinging the latching lug panel inwardly of the trailing side wall of the bottom tray member, means for engaging the cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on an axis extending transversely of the path of advance toward a closed position, and means for progressively pressing down on the cover member as it is advanced by said conveyor means so as to completely close the cover member and position the side wall for engagement therein of lAtching lugs in the latching lug panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises a pair of laterally spaced, endless traveling members with carton supporting platforms extending between the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises a pair of endless traveling members which are spaced transversely of the path of advance with longitudinally spaced carton supporting means extending between the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises an endless traveling member with carton support means thereon and with the traveling member having a top run defining said horizontal path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises an endless traveling member with carton support means thereon and with the traveling member having a top run defining said horizontal path and a pair of endless traveling side conveyor members each having a top run on which an end portion of each carton will rest when on said carton support means, and means for driving said side members at a faster rate than the travel of said support means so as to frictionally urge the cartons in the direction of advance and hold the cartons in predetermined position on their support means as they are advanced.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for engaging said cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on a transverse axis comprises an elongate rod member normally disposed at an upwardly inclined angle in the path of advance of the carton cover member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for engaging said cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on a transverse axis comprises an elongate rod member pivotally mounted at one end on a cross bar extending beneath said horizontal path and normally disposed in an upwardly inclined position so as to extend into the path of the carton.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said rod member is mounted so as to permit movement to an inoperative position out of the path of advance of the cartons with means for frictionally holding said rod member in said inoperative position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said rod member has an associated cam arm thereon and said carton conveyor means has a co-operating cam arm arranged to engage the cam arm on said rod member so as to hold said arm in the upwardly slanted operative position for a predetermined time during advance of said carton by said conveyor means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for swinging said latching lug panel inwardly of the trailing side wall of the bottom tray member comprises a panel engaging mechanism mounted on said conveyor means so as to engage beneath each latching lug panel as each successive carton is received on said conveyor means and having panel engaging fingers mounted for swinging movement in the direction of advance of the carton.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said panel engaging fingers are mounted on a cross shaft with cam means for turning said shaft and including a cam operating track member extending along said path for holding said panel engaging fingers in panel engaging position while each carton is advanced along said path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for clamping said bottom tray on said conveyor comprises a clamp mechanism mounted at each side of the path of said conveyor means with a tray engaging clamp arm mounted for swinging movement into and out of engagement with the tray member of each successive carton so as to restrain said tray member against movement upwardly of said tray member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
140 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said clamp arm of each said clamp mechanism is mounted on a longitudinally extending shaft and means for oscillating said shaft in timed relation to the movement of said conveyor means. 14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for engaging the cover member so as tro cause said cover member to swing toward a closed position comprises an elongate rod member normally inclined upwardly in the path of advance of the cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing in an upward direction and also an overhead member with a portion depending into the path of said cover member when it is swung upwardly by said elongate rod member which is operative to further swing said cover member toward a fully closed position.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
264 words
An apparatus for closing and marking the hinged cover members on cartons of the type which have a bottom tray and a tray-like cover hinged along one side edge thereof, traveling conveyor means for advancing successive cartons along a generally horizontal path with the cover member in open position and leading the bottom tray member, clamp means disposed at a predetermined position along said path which is operative to engage the bottom tray member and restrain upward movement thereof relative to said traveling conveyor means, means at a predetermined position along said path which is operative from below said path of advance for lifting said cover member so as to swing it upwardly about said hinged side edge, means disposed above said cover member which is operative in the path of advance of the cover member to engage a leading edge of the cover member so as to force the cover member to swing in a direction towards a closed position on said bottom tray member when the carton is advanced thereto by said conveyor means, means for progressively pressing down on the cover member as the carton is advanced by said conveyor means to a dead plate area so as to completely close the cover member and to hold the cover member in closed position while in said dead plate area, a marking stamp mounting means supported for vertical reciprocation at said dead plate area, and means for reciprocating said marking stamp mounting means in timed relation to the operation of said carton conveyor means so as to mark each successive carton cover.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
264 words
An apparatus for closing and marking the hinged cover members on cartons of the type which have a bottom tray and a tray-like cover hinged along one side edge thereof, traveling conveyor means for advancing successive cartons along a generally horizontal path with the cover member in open position and leading the bottom tray member, clamp means disposed at a predetermined position along said path which is operative to engage the bottom tray member and restrain upward movement thereof relative to said traveling conveyor means, means at a predetermined position along said path which is operative from below said path of advance for lifting said cover member so as to swing it upwardly about said hinged side edge, means disposed above said cover member which is operative in the path of advance of the cover member to engage a leading edge of the cover member so as to force the cover member to swing in a direction towards a closed position on said bottom tray member when the carton is advanced thereto by said conveyor means, means for progressively pressing down on the cover member as the carton is advanced by said conveyor means to a dead plate area so as to completely close the cover member and to hold the cover member in closed position while in said dead plate area, a marking stamp mounting means supported for vertical reciprocation at said dead plate area, and means for reciprocating said marking stamp mounting means in timed relation to the operation of said carton conveyor means so as to mark each successive carton cover.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for closing the hinged cover members on cartons of the type which have a bottom tray and a cover hinged along one side edge, conveyor means for advancing successive cartons in fully open condition along a generally horizontal path with the hinge axis of the carton extending transversely of the path of advance and with the cover member leading the bottom tray member, means at a predetermined point along said path for engaging the bottom tray of successive cartons so as to restrain the tray against upward movement relative to the conveyor means, means disposed in part below the path of advance of the conveyor means which is operative to engage said cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on said transversely extending hinge axis toward a partially closed position, and means for progressively applying downward pressure on said cover member as it is advanced by said conveyor means so as to completely close the cover member.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for closing the hinged cover members on cartons of the type which have a bottom tray and a cover hinged along one side edge, conveyor means for advancing successive cartons in fully open condition along a generally horizontal path with the hinge axis of the carton extending transversely of the path of advance and with the cover member leading the bottom tray member, means at a predetermined point along said path for engaging the bottom tray of successive cartons so as to restrain the tray against upward movement relative to the conveyor means, means disposed in part below the path of advance of the conveyor means which is operative to engage said cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on said transversely extending hinge axis toward a partially closed position, and means for progressively applying downward pressure on said cover member as it is advanced by said conveyor means so as to completely close the cover member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said means for applying downward pressure on said cover member comprises a pivotally mounted overhead frame having pressure applying skate rollers mounted thereon so as to engage the top cover members of successive cartons as they are advanced beyond the means for engaging and swinging the cover members toward a closed position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said means for applying downward pressure on said cover member comprises a generally rectangular frame with laterally spaced side frame members having mounted thereon a plurality of skate rollers which are disposed to rest on the cover members at their opposite ends.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for closing the hinged cover members on cartons of the type which have a bottom tray and a cover hinged along one side edge, conveyor means for advancing successive cartons in fully open condition along a generally horizontal path with tHe cover member leading the bottom tray member, means for engaging the bottom tray of successive cartons so as to restrain the tray against upward movement relative to the conveyor means, means disposed in the path of advance of the conveyor means for engaging a leading portion of said cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on an axis extending transversely of the path of advance toward a partially closed position when advanced against said cover engaging means, and means for progressively applying downward pressure on said cover member as it is advanced by said conveyor means so as to completely close the cover member, which downward pressure applying means comprises a plurality of pressure rollers mounted on a supporting frame extending above said conveyor means with a trailing side of said frame pivoted at a point above the path of the cartons and with a leading side free to drop sufficiently to bring the rollers into gravity pressure engagement with the topmost face of said cover member.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for closing the hinged cover members on cartons of the type which have a bottom tray and a cover hinged along one side edge, conveyor means for advancing successive cartons in fully open condition along a generally horizontal path with tHe cover member leading the bottom tray member, means for engaging the bottom tray of successive cartons so as to restrain the tray against upward movement relative to the conveyor means, means disposed in the path of advance of the conveyor means for engaging a leading portion of said cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on an axis extending transversely of the path of advance toward a partially closed position when advanced against said cover engaging means, and means for progressively applying downward pressure on said cover member as it is advanced by said conveyor means so as to completely close the cover member, which downward pressure applying means comprises a plurality of pressure rollers mounted on a supporting frame extending above said conveyor means with a trailing side of said frame pivoted at a point above the path of the cartons and with a leading side free to drop sufficiently to bring the rollers into gravity pressure engagement with the topmost face of said cover member.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
210 words
An apparatus for closing the hinged cover members on cartons of the type which have a bottom tray and a cover hinged along one side edge, conveyor means for advancing successive cartons in fully open condition along a generally horizontal path with the cover member leading the bottom tray member, means for engaging the bottom tray of successive cartons so as to restrain the tray against upward movement relative to the conveyor means, means disposed in the path of advance of the conveyor means for engaging a leading portion of said cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on an axis extending transversely of the path of advance toward a partially closed position when advanced against said cover engaging means, and means for progressively applying downward pressure on said cover member as it is advanced by said cover means so as to completely close the cover member, which downward pressure applying means comprises a supporting frame having a trailing end pivotally mounted above said conveyor means and a leading end extending beyond the discharge end of said conveying means, pressure applying rollers mounted on said frame in laterally spaced and paired arrangement for progressively engaging the topmost face of said cover member near the center thereof.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
210 words
An apparatus for closing the hinged cover members on cartons of the type which have a bottom tray and a cover hinged along one side edge, conveyor means for advancing successive cartons in fully open condition along a generally horizontal path with the cover member leading the bottom tray member, means for engaging the bottom tray of successive cartons so as to restrain the tray against upward movement relative to the conveyor means, means disposed in the path of advance of the conveyor means for engaging a leading portion of said cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on an axis extending transversely of the path of advance toward a partially closed position when advanced against said cover engaging means, and means for progressively applying downward pressure on said cover member as it is advanced by said cover means so as to completely close the cover member, which downward pressure applying means comprises a supporting frame having a trailing end pivotally mounted above said conveyor means and a leading end extending beyond the discharge end of said conveying means, pressure applying rollers mounted on said frame in laterally spaced and paired arrangement for progressively engaging the topmost face of said cover member near the center thereof.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for closing the hinged cover members on cartons of the type which have a bottom tray and a cover hinged along one side edge, conveyor means for advancing successive cartons in fully open condition along a generally horizontal path with the cover member leading the bottom tray member, means for engaging the bottom tray of successive cartons so as to restrain the tray against upward movement relative to the conveyor means, means disposed in the path of advance of the conveyor means for engaging a leading portion of said cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on an axis extending transversely of the path of advance toward a partially closed position when advanced against said cover engaging means, and means for progressively applying downward pressure on said cover member as it is advanced by said conveyor means so as to completely close the cover member, which downward pressure applying means comprises a pivotally mounted overhead frame having pressure applying rollers of relatively resilient material mounted thereon which extend transversely of said frame so as to engage the top cover members and apply resilient pressure across the top surfaces thereof as they are advanced beyond the means for engaging and swinging the cover members toward a closed position thereby pressing the cover members into fully closed position.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for closing the hinged cover members on cartons of the type which have a bottom tray and a cover hinged along one side edge, conveyor means for advancing successive cartons in fully open condition along a generally horizontal path with the cover member leading the bottom tray member, means for engaging the bottom tray of successive cartons so as to restrain the tray against upward movement relative to the conveyor means, means disposed in the path of advance of the conveyor means for engaging a leading portion of said cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on an axis extending transversely of the path of advance toward a partially closed position when advanced against said cover engaging means, and means for progressively applying downward pressure on said cover member as it is advanced by said conveyor means so as to completely close the cover member, which downward pressure applying means comprises a pivotally mounted overhead frame having pressure applying rollers of relatively resilient material mounted thereon which extend transversely of said frame so as to engage the top cover members and apply resilient pressure across the top surfaces thereof as they are advanced beyond the means for engaging and swinging the cover members toward a closed position thereby pressing the cover members into fully closed position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |