U.S. patent application number 12/706740 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-18 for active compression adhesive packaging method and apparatus.
Invention is credited to Bill Book, Scott Cantrell, Matthew Greer, Mike Keithly.
Application Number | 20110197551 12/706740 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44368653 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110197551 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Book; Bill ; et al. |
August 18, 2011 |
ACTIVE COMPRESSION ADHESIVE PACKAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS
Abstract
A method and system for packaging products in a container
employs an active compression assembly having pressure members
which are shifted from a raised position to a lowered operational
position. In the operational position, each pressure member holds a
respective upper container flap against a lower container flap
while an interposed adhesive sets. More specifically, with the at
least one pressure member pushing upon the upper flaps, both the
container and the at least one pressure member are forced to move
in unison along a manufacturing line while the at least one
pressure member applies pressure on the upper flaps as the adhesive
sets to seal the upper flaps to the lower flaps and close the upper
opening.
Inventors: |
Book; Bill; (Carthage,
MO) ; Cantrell; Scott; (Anderson, MO) ;
Keithly; Mike; (Lamar, MO) ; Greer; Matthew;
(Jackson, MO) |
Family ID: |
44368653 |
Appl. No.: |
12/706740 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/491 ;
53/376.5; 53/377.2; 53/387.1; 53/484 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 5/00 20130101; B65B
7/20 20130101; B65B 51/144 20130101; B65B 51/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/491 ; 53/484;
53/376.5; 53/377.2; 53/387.1 |
International
Class: |
B65B 7/20 20060101
B65B007/20; B65B 51/02 20060101 B65B051/02; B65B 51/14 20060101
B65B051/14 |
Claims
1. A method of packaging products comprising: directing a
container, defining a compartment with an upper opening which can
be closed by folding upper and lower flaps, along a manufacturing
line; positioning a plurality of products in the compartment of the
container; folding a lower flap over a portion of the upper
opening; folding an upper flap upon the lower flap with adhesive
there between; shifting at least one pressure member of an active
compression assembly from a home position spaced from the upper
flap to an operational position against the upper flap; directing
both the container and the at least one pressure member to move in
unison along the manufacturing line while the at least one pressure
member applies pressure on the upper flap as the adhesive sets to
close the upper opening; and shifting the at least one pressure
member away from the upper flap and moving the active compression
assembly back to the home position for use in closing a subsequent
container.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is applied to the
lower flap following the folding of the lower flap and prior to the
folding of the upper flap upon the lower flap.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein shifting the at least one
pressure member comprises moving a plurality of spaced fingers into
engagement with the upper flap.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of spaced fingers
are vertically shifted into engagement with the upper flap.
5. The method of claim 3, further comprising: selectively adjusting
a spacing between the plurality of spaced fingers.
6. The method of claim 3, further comprising: resiliently biasing
the plurality of spaced fingers into engagement with the upper
flap.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: shifting a leader
member into a ready position for engagement with a frontal portion
of the container to assure that both the container and the at least
one pressure member move in unison along the manufacturing
line.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: pivoting the leader
member from a retracted position to the ready position.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: linearly guiding the
at least one pressure member along a track while both the container
and the at least one pressure member move in unison along the
manufacturing line.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the plurality of
products in the compartment of the container constitutes loading
the container with sealed packages having headspaces such that the
sealed packages do not provide any significant back pressure to the
upper and lower flaps when closing the container.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein closing the container
constitutes sealing a cardboard box.
12. A system for closing an upper opening of a container defining a
compartment in which is positioned a plurality of products, the
system comprising: at least one pressure member; a first mechanism
drivingly connected to the at least on pressure member of an active
compression assembly for moving the at least one pressure member
from a first position spaced from the container to a second,
operational position wherein the at least one pressure member
engages an upper flap of the container to force the upper flap
towards a lower flap of the container with an adhesive there
between; and a second mechanism connected to the at least one
pressure member and causing both the container and the at least one
pressure member to move in unison along a manufacturing line while
the at least one pressure member applies pressure on the upper flap
as the adhesive sets to close the upper opening, wherein the first
mechanism can reposition the at least one pressure member away from
the upper flap and the second mechanism can move the active
compression assembly back to a home position for use in closing a
subsequent container.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one pressure
member comprises a plurality of spaced fingers.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first mechanism shifts the
plurality of spaced fingers vertically into engagement with the
upper flap.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the active compression assembly
includes first and second, adjustably connected plates, wherein at
least one of the plurality of spaced fingers is attached to the
first plate and another of the plurality of spaced fingers is
attached to the second plate, said second plate being adjustably
attached to the first plate to vary spacings between the plurality
of spaced fingers.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of spaced
fingers is formed of a resilient material.
17. The system of claim 12, wherein the active compression assembly
further comprises a leader member mounted for movement between a
ready position for engagement with a frontal portion of the
container and a non-engaging, retracted position.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the leader member is pivotable
between the ready and retracted positions.
19. The system of claim 17, further comprising: a sensor for
sensing the frontal portion of the container at a predetermined
location along the manufacturing line, with movement of the leader
member being dependent on the frontal portion being sensed.
20. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a sensor for
sensing a position of the active compression assembly along the
manufacturing line, with movement of the second mechanism back to
the home position being dependent on the position of the active
compression assembly.
21. The system of claim 12, wherein the active compression assembly
includes a track member, said at least one pressure member being
mounted for linear movement along the track member.
22. The system of claim 12, wherein the container constitutes a
cardboard box and each of the products is constituted by a sealed
package including a headspace.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention pertains to the art of packaging and, more
particularly, to packaging various products, such as food products,
in containers or cases having folding upper and lower flaps which
are adhesively attached to close the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Numerous manufactured products are pre-packaged, either
individually or in groups, and then a plurality of the pre-packaged
products are packaged in a larger container and shipped to a
wholesaler who unpacks the container and places the pre-packaged
products on display shelves for purchase by consumers. In
particular, it is common to package a wide range of products in
containers having folding flaps, such as cardboard boxes. Often in
the manufacturing of products at many existing facilities, the
pre-packaging of the products is performed by automated equipment,
while the packaging of the various products into a larger container
for shipping or storage purposes is performed manually. For
instance, it is still commonplace for manufactured products to be
conveyed to an assembly line region supplied with containers
wherein assembly workers manually fill and seal the containers for
shipping. However, in other situations, shipping containers can be
loaded and sealed using automated machinery.
[0003] When utilizing cardboard boxes, each box is generally
erected, either manually or with the use of machinery, to erect the
box so as to create a packaging chamber having an open top which
can be closed by folding minor and major flaps. Once the box is
erected, the chamber can be filled with products, either
pre-packaged or not, and then the minor and major flaps are folded
for shipping. Of course, it is desirable to prevent the box from
opening prior to reaching its destination such that it is common
practice to seal the flaps. Basically, two methods are almost
universally employed to perform this sealing function. The first is
to externally apply adhesive tape along seams of the major flaps,
with the tape generally being in the order of a couple inches in
width and extending across the top and onto opposing sides of the
box. The other approach is to apply an adhesive to the upper
surfaces of the minor flaps after they are folded, then fold the
major flaps onto the minor flaps so that the adhesive is also
placed in contact with the major flaps, and finally compress the
major flaps onto the minor flaps for a period of time to enable the
adhesive to set to a certain extent.
[0004] This second approach is considered advantageous in that it
can be more readily automated. Unfortunately, there are at least
two potential problems associated with this sealing method. The
first problem only arises if the products being packaged are not
solid in nature. That is, when the products being packaged are both
generally solid in nature and fill the box to the fold seams
associated with the flaps, the box can be easily sealed in this
manner as the products provide the back pressure needed to hold the
major flaps against the minor flaps while the adhesive sets. An
example of such an arrangement would be packaging reams of paper in
a box. However, if the products are not solid in nature, the
products cannot provide the back pressure necessary to enable the
major flaps to be adequately compressed against the minor flaps
such that the seal is inherently compromised. For instance, various
products are pre-packaged with considerable headspace, including a
wide range of food products such as bags of potato chips, frozen
vegetables, frozen biscuits, marshmallows and the like, which
prevent the products from providing the requisite back pressure.
The other problem concerns the downtime associated with sealing a
box in this manner. That is, although quick dry adhesives are
commonly employed, the boxes being sealed need to be paused during
the overall manufacturing process, such as for about 5-10 seconds,
during which time flap static bars hold the flaps in the folded
position until the adhesive sets. Certainly, incorporating a
mandatory pause in a portion of a manufacturing operation is not
optimal.
[0005] Based on the above, there is seen to still exist a need for
an more efficient way of adhesively sealing packaging boxes in a
manufacturing operation wherein the box sealing operation can occur
in a continuous process. In particular, there exists a need for a
packaging operation, which can be employed in connection with
products which do not terminate directly adjacent flap seams of the
boxes and/or do not provide the requisite back pressure needed for
forcibly sealing the flaps, while also enabling the flaps of boxes
to be adhesively sealed in a continuous operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention is directed to a method and system for
packaging products in a container, defining a compartment with an
upper opening which can be closed by adhesively securing foldable
upper flaps upon lower flaps, along a manufacturing line. In
accordance with the method and system of the invention, at least
one pressure member of an active compression assembly is shifted
from a raised, home position to a lowered, operational position
against the upper flaps. In the operational position, each pressure
member holds a respective upper flap against a lower flap while the
interposed adhesive sets. More specifically, with the at least one
pressure member pushing upon the upper flaps, both the container
and the at least one pressure member are forced to move in unison
along the manufacturing line while the at least one pressure member
applies pressure on the upper flaps as the adhesive sets to seal
the upper flaps to the lower flaps and close the upper opening. To
assure the unison movement, a leader member, which is attached to
the at least one pressure member, is positioned against a frontal
portion of the container for a predetermined distance along the
manufacturing line. Thereafter, the leader member is shifted to a
retracted position and the at least one pressure member is shifted
away from the upper flaps such that the entire system can be
shifted back to a home position for use in closing a subsequent
container.
[0007] In operation, an open, assembled and loaded container is
directed to a terminal portion of the manufacturing line wherein
the lower flaps are folded, followed by the application of adhesive
to surface portions of the lower flaps and then folding of the
upper flaps. At this point, the position of the container is sensed
such that, as it reaches and engages the leader member, the
pressure member(s) of the active compression assembly is lowered
against the upper flaps. Thereafter, the pressure member(s) engages
the container, the pressure member(s) and the container continue
down the line in unison. During this time, the force exerted by the
pressure member(s) can be increased by further lowering the same.
After the container reaches another predetermined position, the
leader member is retracted from in front of the container and the
active compression assembly is repositioned to act on another
container. In this manner, an automatic, continuously operating
active compression operation is performed to assure a high quality
seal of the container flaps.
[0008] Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention
will become more readily apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein
like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several
views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal portion of a
manufacturing line including the packaging system of the invention,
with a container being shown in an initial closing stage.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the terminal portion of FIG.
1 illustrating the container in an intermediate closing stage.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the terminal portion of FIG.
1 illustrating the container in a final stage.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an active compression
assembly employed in the packaging system of FIGS. 1-3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view of the active compression
assembly of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0014] With initial reference to FIG. 1, a terminal portion of a
manufacturing line is generally indicated at 5. As shown, terminal
portion 5 includes upstanding support framework 8 and a
substantially horizontal support framework 10. Horizontal support
framework 10 rotatably supports a plurality of rollers 13, as well
as a pair of side housings 18 and 19 in which are positioned
endless side belts 22 and 23 driven by respective motors (not
shown). As also illustrated in this figure, terminal portion 5 is
provided with a pair of opposing side guide rollers, one of which
is indicated at 27, as well as a pair of upper guide rollers, one
of which is indicated at 29.
[0015] As will be described more fully below, a container 33 is
adapted to be loaded and directed down terminal portion 5 where it
is sealed in a final packaging stage of an overall manufacturing
process. Although container 33 can be made of various materials,
including cardboard, container 33 includes a bottom 36 and opposing
sets of upstanding sides 38, 39 which define a compartment or
chamber (not labeled) with an associated upper opening 42. Upper
opening 42 can be closed by folding a pair of lower or minor flaps
45, followed by a pair of upper or major flaps 46. More
specifically, as will be detailed more fully below, lower flaps 45
are initially folded along side seams (not labeled) and then, after
an application of hot melt adhesive upon lower flaps 45, upper
flaps 46 are folded and adhesively secured in order to close upper
opening 42. To this end, container 33 is initially loaded with
various products 53 prior to reaching terminal portion 5. At this
point, it should be recognized that container 33 can be designed to
receive a wide variety of products 53. However, for reasons which
will be more fully evident below, the present invention is
particularly advantageous for use in combination with products 53
which are not loaded all the way up to the fold seams for lower and
upper flaps 45, 46 and/or are prepackaged in bags or the like with
the inclusion of head space, e.g., bags of potato chips, pretzels,
frozen vegetables, frozen biscuits, marshmallows and the like, such
that products 53 cannot provide the requisite back pressure upon
lower flaps 45 needed to prevent lower flaps 45 from pivoting
within container 33 beyond a substantially horizontal position. In
any case, as container 33 reaches terminal portion 5 full of
products 53, container 33 reaches a lower flap folding mechanism 56
which functions to engage and fold lower flaps 45 into a
substantially horizontal plane as generally indicated in this
figure. Although lower flap folding mechanism 56 can take various
forms in accordance with the invention as such flap folding
mechanisms are known in the art, the preferred embodiment employs
one or more vertically moving arms, such as that indicated at 59,
which, timed with the movement of container 33 along the
manufacturing line, abuts and pushes down lower flaps 45 to the
folded position. Subsequent to the folding of lower flaps 45,
container 33 reaches an adhesive dispenser 62 which applies a
predetermined amount of a hot melt adhesive 63 upon lower flaps 45.
Thereafter, continued movement of container 33 upon rollers 13
causes upper flaps 46 to engage upper flap folding arms 64. At this
point, it is the intent that upper flap folding arms 64 will cause
upper flaps 46 to fold over at least portions of lower flaps 45
with the hot melt adhesive 63 therebetween such that upper flaps 46
will be attached to lower flaps 45 in order to close upper opening
42 of container 33.
[0016] In accordance with the invention, an active compression
assembly generally indicated at 75 is added to terminal portion 5
of the manufacturing line in order to ensure that upper flaps 46
are positively engaged with lower flaps 45 during a critical period
in which adhesive 63 sets, thereby ensuring that upper opening 42
is adequately sealed such that additional tape over upper flaps 46
is not necessary. With particular reference to FIGS. 4 and 5,
active compression assembly 75 will now be detailed. In the
illustrated embodiment, active compression assembly 75 includes an
upright support 78 from which extends a cantilevered arm 82. A
gusset plate 83 interconnects upright support 78 and cantilevered
arm 82 for additional support. Mounted to cantilevered arm 82 is a
rail or track 87 upon which is slidably mounted a guide unit 90. As
shown, guide unit 90 includes a grooved plate 93 which mates with
rail 87. Although not shown for the sake of simplicity of the
drawings, an additional grooved plate is positioned on the other
side of rail 87 and is interconnected with groove plate 93 to clamp
guide unit 90 for sliding movement along rail 87. In addition, the
structure of rail 87 and/or groove plate 93 can be made of a low
friction material or various rollers, bearings or the like can be
interposed therebetween in order to ease the linear shifting of
guide unit 90 along rail 87. As movement of guide units along rails
are widely known in the manufacturing field and this is not
considered to be a particular aspect of the present invention,
further details thereof will not be provided here. More
importantly, guide unit 90 also includes a housing 96 that is fixed
relative to plate 93 and formed with a pair of spaced bores 103 and
104. Spaced bores 103 and 104 slidably receive guide bars 107 and
108 that are attached to a vertically displaceable base plate
assembly 112. A first drive mechanism 116 is interposed between
housing 96 and base plate assembly 112 to vertically shift base
plate assembly 112 relative to housing 96. More specifically, first
drive mechanism 116 includes a linear actuator 119 defined by a
cylinder 122 and a piston rod 125. At this point, it should be
recognized that linear actuator 119 can take various forms in
accordance with the invention, including pneumatic, hydraulic and
electric solenoid-type linear actuators. Therefore, it is only
important to note that first drive mechanism 116 provides for the
selective vertical shifting of base plate assembly 112 relative to
housing 96 and rail 87.
[0017] Also carried by base plate assembly 112 is a second drive
mechanism 130. Second drive mechanism 130 is also defined by a
linear actuator including a cylinder 136, which is fixed relative
to base plate assembly 112, and a piston rod 139 which is movable
relative to cylinder 136. Piston rod 139 is attached by means of a
pin 143 to a pair of arms 146 and 147 extending from a rod 149 that
is rotatably mounted in a pair of leg members 152 and 153 secured
to base plate assembly 112. Also extending from rod 149 for
concurrent rotation therewith is a leader member or drag arm 156.
In the embodiment shown, leader member 156 includes a main body 158
and a terminal abutment member shown in the form of an extruded
metal tube 160. With this arrangement, extension and retraction of
piston rod 139 relative to cylinder 136 causes arms 146 and 147, as
well as rod 149 and leader member 156, to rotate about an axis
defined by rod 149. More specifically, retraction of linear
actuator 133 from the extended position shown in this figure causes
leader member 156 to shift from a substantially vertical plane as
depicted to a substantially horizontal plane.
[0018] As will be detailed more fully below, active compression
assembly 75 is employed to provide pressure upon upper flaps 46
during a critical drying period for adhesive 63, thereby providing
an enhanced interconnection between upper and lower flaps 46 and
45. In addition, it is desirable to construct active compression
assembly 75 in a manner which will accommodate varying sized
containers 33. In accordance with these aspects of the invention,
base plate assembly 112 includes a main portion 168 formed with a
plurality of spaced openings 171. A respective pressure member 175
is mounted in each of the openings 171 as will be discussed further
below. Each side of main portion 168 is also provided with an
elongated slot 185 which generally extends in the direction of rail
87. Portions of each slot 185 are aligned with a slot 188 in a
respective extension arm 190, with each extension arm 190 receiving
an additional pressure member 193 in a respective opening 171. With
slots 185 and 188 aligned, a respective bolt 196 extends through
the slots so as to secure extension arm 190 to main portion 168.
With the provision of slots 185 and 188, or an analogous
arrangement including a plurality of holes, it should be readily
apparent that extension arms 190 can be mounted at various angular
positions and to establish different distances between the
plurality of pressure members 175, 193. In this fashion, base plate
assembly 112 can be readily reconfigured for different size
containers 33.
[0019] It is the function of pressure members 175 and 193 to apply
downward forces upon upper flaps 46 to ensure a positive pressure
between upper flaps 46 and lower flaps 45 during a critical setting
period for the adhesive. For this purpose, each of the pressure
members 175 is preferably made of a resilient material, such as an
elastomeric or rubber material. More specifically, each pressure
member 175 includes a head 202, a shank 204 and a flexible finger
portion 206. Flexible finger portion 206 is inserted into a
respective opening 171 and shank portion 204 preferably defines a
reduced diametric portion (not labeled) directly adjacent head 202,
with the reduced diametric portion being slightly greater than the
thickness of either main portion 168 or extension arm 190. In this
fashion, each pressure member 175 can be frictionally maintained in
place by simply pulling on shank portion 204 until head 202 is
positioned against either main portion 168 or extension arm 190. In
any case, finger portion 206 is made more flexible than shank 204
and therefore will resiliently bend to apply the desired pressure
as will be described in detail below. In the embodiment shown, the
controls associated with active compression assembly 75 are
pneumatic in nature such that various air hoses 225-229 are
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, including hoses extending to linear
actuators 119 and 133.
[0020] As discussed above, in the position shown in FIG. 1,
container 33 has lower flaps 45 folded in and adhesive dispenser 62
has applied the adhesive 63 thereon. Container 33 then proceeds
wherein upper flaps 46 engage folding arms 64. At this point,
container 33 reaches the position shown in FIG. 2 where a frontal
portion of container 33 abuts terminal abutment member 160 of
leader member 156, with main body 158 of leader member 156
extending substantially vertically. At this time, linear actuator
119 of first drive mechanism 116 is activated such that piston rod
125 is extended and base plate assembly 112 shifts relative to
housing 96 such that the plurality of pressure members 175 and 193
come into engagement with predetermined sections of upper flaps 46.
Given the construction of base plate assembly 112 as described
above, the exact position of at least pressure members 193 can be
readily adjusted. In the present case wherein lower flaps 45 do not
extend the entire width of container 33 as clearly shown in these
figures, extension arms 190 are angled inwardly such that pressure
members 193 abut adjacent centerline portions of upper flaps 46,
while pressure members 175 abut more central portions of upper
flaps 46. Given the resilient nature of pressure members 175 and
193, the downward movement of base plate assembly 112 causes
flexible finger portions 206 to bend, thereby applying the
requisite degree of pressure for setting of adhesive 63.
[0021] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
it is desired to time the positioning of container 33 with the
movement of first drive mechanism 116 such that a sensor 255 is
employed to detect a frontal edge portion of container 33 along
terminal portion 5 of the manufacturing line. In the embodiment
shown, a photo eye 256 cooperates with a reflector 258 to sense
this leading edge. However, it should be understood that various
types of sensor systems, including switches, could be employed.
Once active compression assembly 75 is engaged with container 33,
container 33 reaches endless side belts 22 and 23 to carry the
container 33 to the terminal portion 5 of the manufacturing line.
At the same time, guide unit 90 carries base plate assembly 112
along rail 87 in unison with the movement of container 33. Although
guide unit 90 could be driven in this direction by endless side
belts 22 and 23 and container 33 given the abutment between
container 33 and leader member 156, the most preferred form of the
invention provides a separate linear drive mechanism, such as a
horizontal, rodless air cylinder (not shown), to move guide unit 90
along rail 87 in unison with container 33. In accordance with one
aspect of the invention, a progressively increasing vertical
application pressure is applied to vary the force exerted by
pressure members 175 and 193 upon container 33 as base plate
assembly 112 is guided along rail 87 as evident in comparing at
least FIGS. 2 and 3. Upon reaching the end of its operational
movement, second drive mechanism 130 is activated to rotate leader
member 156, while first drive mechanism 116 functions to vertically
shift pressure members 175 and 193 out of engagement with upper
flaps 46 and active compression assembly 75 is returned to the
ready position shown in FIG. 1. To signal these operations, it is
desirable to provide a second sensor generally indicated at 275. In
the configuration shown, second sensor 275 is constituted by a
switch 276 that becomes engaged with an abutment member 278 carried
by housing 96 of guide unit 90. In other embodiments, different
sensors, such as another photo eye, could be employed.
[0022] Based on the above, it should be readily apparent that the
active compression assembly of the invention enables at least one
pressure member to be shifted from a raised, home position spaced
from the upper flaps of the container to a lowered, operational
position in which the pressure member abuts and applies pressure to
respective upper flap in order to hold the upper flap in a desired
position while the adhesive between the upper and lower flaps sets.
During this period of positive pressure, both the container and the
pressure member move in unison along the manufacturing line until a
predetermined point where the pressure member is moved away from
the upper flap and back to the home position. As it is not
desirable for the pressure members to slide relative to the
container during this operation, the leader member is provided to
prevent the container from moving at a faster pace than the base
plate assembly of the active compression assembly. That is, the
leader member is maintained in an active position during the
concurrent movement and then is shifted to a retracted position to
enable the active compression assembly to be repositioned for use
in closing a subsequent container coming down the manufacturing
line. Again, although the invention can be employed in connection
with containers which are filled up to the fold lines for the upper
and lower flaps and which could provide back pressure to enable the
upper flaps to be pushed against the lower flaps without deflection
of the lower flaps, the invention finds particular applicability
for use in sealing containers which are filled with products that
cannot provide the requisite back pressure. In such an arrangement,
it is desired to mount the pressure members generally close or only
slightly spaced from the fold lines of the lower flaps, thereby
minimizing any undesirable added deflection of the lower flaps
while still assuring a positive pressure between the upper and
lower flaps for setting of the adhesive. It has been found that the
invention is extremely productive in ensuring that a strong
adhesion is created between the upper and lower flaps such that
additional taping of the container is not necessary.
[0023] Although described with reference to certain embodiments of
the invention, it should be readily understood that various changes
and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing
from the spirit thereof. For instance, the type of product, the
container material, the location, mounting and structure of the
pressure members, and also the exact drive and interaction between
the active compression assembly and the container can be altered
without departing from the invention. Instead, the invention is
only intended to be limited by the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *