Apparatus For Forming Carton

Abstract

Apparatus for forming a sealable carton for liquids accepts from a supply station a T-shaped blank of sheet material that is impervious to the fluid that the carton to be formed from the blank is to contain. The blank is pre-scored to represent the sidewalls and ends of the carton, and is further pre-scored to represent flaps by means of which the sealing of the carton is to be effected. One of the sidewall portions is cut in a pattern to produce a liftable flap-like appendage. At the point of introduction of the blank into the apparatus, a series of rolls bend the components of the blank along the several pre-scorings to assure that the folding of the blank into the form of a carton will occur along the scorings. A conveyor belt then receives the blank and carries it to a position at which a spot of adhesive material is applied to the surface of the flap-like appendage that will be inside the carton, after which a sipping tube or straw is brought into contact with the adhesive to effect attachment of the tube to the appendage. The conveyer belt next brings the blank to a position where overlying relation is established between a marginal portion of one sidewall and a marginal sealing flap of the most distant sidewall, and adhesive interengagement of the overlapping portions throughout tube. lengths is established, to form a tue. Thereafter the conveyer belt brings the tube to an endcapping position where the two ends are folded against marginal sealing flaps of the walls of the tube, marginal sealing flaps of the ends are folded against the outside walls of the tube and adhesive interengagement of all overlapping portions is established, thus producing a fluid-tight carton having as its only access orifice the opening afforded by the flap-like appendage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kalajian U.S. Pat. No. 3,259,297 discloses a carton for milk, fruit juice, or other potable liquids which is provided with a self-contained sipping tube or straw. The container or carton itself shown in the patent will be recognized, apart from the provision of the straw, as being of a type in wide use by dairies and suppliers of fruit juices and having as a characteristic feature a crimped sealing construction at both ends and a liftable corner flap with a circular depressed portion that closes the orifice through which the carton is filled and from which the contents are poured in the case of cartons of the size used in households.

Another type of carton that is in wide use by suppliers of potable liquids is characterized by a flat bottom and a top having panels sloping away from a central ridge toward two sides of the carton so that is resembles a roof. The ridge is arranged to be torn apart along a portion of its length to reveal a folded-in pouring spout. For situations in which liquid is to be taken directly from this type of carton into the mouth, rather than the normal household usage involving the pouring of the liquid from the self-contained spout into another vessel, the top of the carton is sometimes provided with a knock-out disk which may easily be punched through to reveal an orifice into which a sipping straw may be inserted. In this case as well as in the case of the flat top carton, with the liftable flap but without the self-contained straw, it is necessary that a supply of straws by available to accommodate those persons, particularly at places of amusement or in school lunch room facilities, who desire to drink directly from the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As an implementation of the invention of the Kalajian patent, there is provided, in accordance with the present invention, a novel blank from which a flat-ended carton may be formed, and completely automatic apparatus for forming therefrom a carton and for inserting and affixing a sipping straw.

A blank from which a carton is to be formed is of paper, rendered impervious to liquids by a coating, preferably of polyethylene, on at least one face and preferably on both faces, which enables seals to be produced between surfaces of the blank solely through the agency of heat and pressure.

Preferably the carton blank is T-shaped, the head of the T representing one wall of the carton and the two ends, and the body of the T representing the remaining walls of the carton. Scorings or linear deformations in the blank serve as demarcations of the wall and end members of the carton and provide flexure lines where the blank will be bent into carton configuration. Along the edges of the T-shaped blank, there are scorings defining flaps to be brought into overlapping relation with wall portions of the carton and sealed to make the carton fluid tight.

One of the carton wall portions of the blank has integral therewith a flap-like appendage produced by cutting through the wall or into the wall a sufficient depth that a slight pressure applied to the appendage will cause it to bend away from the wall.

The apparatus for forming the carton includes a hopper structure for storing in stacked relationship a supply of the carton blanks. The blanks are transferred one at a time to the carton forming apparatus, in which conveyor mechanism transports them from one to another of plurality of scoring line breaker instrumentalities by means of which, progressively, flexing of the constituent carton wall portions of the blank and also the flap portions of the blank, toward or into the positions that they will occupy relative to one another in the completed carton, takes place.

The conveyor next brings the blank to the exit orifice of a hopper that contains a supply of sipping straws that are proportioned to the transverse dimension of the carton and to the length of the flap-like closure appendage in accordance with the teachings of the Kalajian patent. A spot of adhesive fluid is applied to the appendage on its surface that will be inside the carton adjacent to its point of joinder to the carton wall, and the wall of the carton at the point to which the adhesive has been applied is pressed against the straw at the exit orifice of the hopper to cause the straw to adhere to the appendage and to be carried along with the carton.

The conveyor next transports the blank past a depresser that bends inwardly the two outer wall panels and flattens them toward other wall panels so that a sealing flap along an edge of one of the outer wall panels and the free edge of the other outer wall panel of the blank are in superposed relation. The conveyor then causes these superposed portions of the blank to traverse a heating element, which melts the polyethylene coatings in those areas, after which pressure is applied to the heated areas to cause them to adhere together. The blank has thus been formed into an open ended tube.

The partially formed carton is next transported by the conveyor in close proximity to heating elements which melt the polyethylene coating on the sealing flaps at the ends of those of the carton wall panels that do not carry the end closure panels, and on the sealing flaps on the free edges of the two end closure panels.

While the components of the semi-finished carton that are to be sealed together are in the heated condition, it is expanded from its flattened condition to substantially its final cross-sectional form and the end panels are brought down into closure relation to the partially formed carton, with their inner surfaces pressed down against the sealing flaps of the wall panels and with the sealing flaps of the end panels brought down into contact with the outer surfaces of the wall panels. In this condition, the carton, now fully formed, is held a sufficient length of time for the melted polyethylene to cool, thereby effecting adhesive interengagement and liquid-tight sealing of both ends of the carton.

The apparatus that effects the closure of the ends of the carton is also provided with an instrumentality for engaging and lifting the free end of the flap-like appendage, in preparation for the filling of the carton with liquid. The orifice that is now exposed by the lifting of the flap-like appendage is the only point of access to the carton, and with the flap-like appendage and the attached straw now lifted to reveal the orifice the carton is ready for delivery to the apparatus for filling it with liquid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description to be interpreted in the light of the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of apparatus for forming cartons in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the same apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, this being the portion between boundary lines designated: (FIG. 3);

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, in skeletal form, of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 6--6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 8--8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 9--9 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 10--10 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 11--11 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged top plan view of the portion of the apparatus in FIG. 1 between the boundary lines designated: (FIG. 12);

FIG. 13 is an enlarged top plan view of the portion of the apparatus in FIG. 1 between the boundary lines designated: (FIG. 13);

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 14--14 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 15--15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 16--16 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 17--17 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 18--18 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 19--19 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 20 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 20--20 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged top plan view of the portion of FIG. 1 between the boundary lines designated: (FIG. 21);

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 23--23 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 24--24 of FIG. 23 and showing heater apparatus;

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary top plan view of the heater apparatus shown in section in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 26--26 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 27 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 27--27 of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 28--28 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 29 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 27 but taken on a different plane and showing a different operating condition;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a component of FIGS. 28 and 29, namely an end-capper die;

FIG. 31 is a schematic progressive showing of the changing of a carton from flattened to rectangular cross-sectional status;

FIG. 32 is a schematic progressive showing, in perspective, of the steps by which a carton is derived from blanks;

FIG. 33 is a plan view showing a blank from which the carton is formed; and

FIG. 34 is a schematic circuit diagram.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, in accordance with the present invention, of an apparatus for forming a carton to contain potable liquids, and provided with a straw in accordance with the teachings of the Kalajian patent. However, the carton itself, and the blank from which it may be formed are entirely different from the carton shown in the Kalajian patent, and are the subject of an application for patent, Ser. No. 139,502 entitled CARTON, AND METHOD AND BLANK FOR FORMING CARTON, filed by Charles Wright Jones on the same day as this application and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

The supporting frame work for the carton forming apparatus is comprised of a beam 41 supported by legs 42. The beam 41 may be an I-beam or a channel iron or may be a hollow tube, preferably of rectangular cross-section.

At one end the beam 41 supports a supply hopper, designated generally by the reference numeral 43, and preliminary blank processing apparatus, these being the components that are indicated in FIG. 1 as being shown in detail in FIG. 3. To the right of the preliminary blank processing apparatus the beam 41 supports apparatus for attaching to the blank a sipper, this being the portion indicated in FIG. 1 as being shown in detail in FIG. 12. Next at the right is apparatus for forming the blank into an open ended tube, this portion being indicated in FIG. 1 as being shown in detail in FIG. 13. To the right of this is apparatus for completing the formation of the carton by closing the ends. This portion is indicated in FIG. 1 as being shown in detail in FIG. 21. Continuing rightwardly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rectangle 44 represents any suitable apparatus for filling the completed cartons with liquid. One embodiment of apparatus for accomplishing this is shown in copending Application Ser. No. 138,623 filed Apr. 29, 1971 by Charles Wright Jones for APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND SEALING CARTONS FOR HOLDING LIQUIDS assigned to the assignee of the present application. Finally, at the extreme right hand end of FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a motor 46 for driving a conveyor belt and other components as will be more fully set forth hereinafter, the conveyor belt being adapted to transport the carton as it is being formed and, if desired, to deliver it to carton filling apparatus indicated as stated above by the rectangle 44.

Before considering further the apparatus for forming the carton, attention is directed to FIG. 33 which shows the blank, designated generally by the reference numeral 50, from which the carton is to be formed. The blank is of T-shaped configuration and is comprised of four wall panels 51, 52, 53 and 54, separated by indentation lines or scorings 56 along which folding of the blank into carton configuration will take place. The panel 51 has integral therewith and separated by the indentation lines or scorings 57 the end panels 58 which in the particular instance shown in FIG. 33 are square because the four wall panels 51, 52, 53 and 54 are shown as being of equal width. The end panels 58 have marginal sealing flaps 59 delineated by indentation or scoring lines 61. The wall panels 52, 53 and 54 have at their ends sealing flaps 62 delineated by indentation or scoring lines 63. Along its free edge the panel 51 is provided with a sealing flap 64 delineated by the indentation or scoring line 66. Finally, the wall panel 51 is provided with a closure flap 67 adjacent to one end of the panel and extending parallel to the long dimension of the wall panel 51. The flap is produced by cutting through, or so nearly through as to enable the flap to be lifted readily out of the plane of wall panel 51, and is produced by making two longitudinal cuts and one transverse cut so that the flap remains integrally attached to the wall panel 51.

The carton blank 50 is formed of paper board and is coated, at least on the outside, which may be assumed to be the surface seen in FIG. 33, and desirably on the inside surface also, with a substance that will render the paper impervious to liquids of the type that the carton is intended to contain, and that melts and has adhesive properties when heated, so that sealing of the components of the blank together to produce a liquid tight carton can be accomplished without the application of adhesive substances at the time of processing of the blank. Polyethylene is a material that has these properties and is well suited to this use.

FIG. 32 shows in schematic form step-by-step changes that occur in the blank as it is processed in the apparatus to be described hereinafter. It will be noted that in the first processing step as shown at A the scoring lines 61 at the ends of the end panels 58 have been limbered by bending their flaps 59 upwardly. The result of the next step appears at B and has resulted in the limbering of the scoring lines 57 and 63 by bending upwardly the end panels 58 and all of the sealing flaps 62. At C the various sealing flaps and the end panels 58 have been flattened generally back into their previous relation to the blank, thus further limbering the several scoring lines and conditioning the blank for a 90.degree. change in the direction of travel. At D the scoring line between the wall panels 52 and 53 has been limbered by bending upwardly the panel 53, without change in the relationship between that panel and the panel 54.

Between D and E the wall panel 53 and with it the panel 54 have been bent back down generally to their original positions and at E the wall panel 54 has been bent upwardly about the scoring line 61 between that panel and the panel 53, to flex or limber that scoring line and also the wall panel 51 with the attached end panels 58 has been bent upwardly about the scoring line 56 between the wall panels 51 and 52.

Between conditions E and F, a drop of adhesive has been applied to the inner surface of the closure flap 67 and at F a straw 68 has been delivered from a supply hopper and attached to the inner surface of the flap 61 by means of the spot of adhesive.

Between F and G, the wall panels 51 and 54 are bent downwardly with the sealing flap 64 on the end panel 51 beneath the free edge of the wall panel 54 and the two superposed surfaces are subjected to heat and then pressed down one upon the other to adhesively interengage them and produce the open ended flattened tube that appears at G. Between G and H, the open ended flattened tube is turned 90.degree. counterclockwise. Between H and J, the inner surfaces of the end panels 58 are subjected to heat to melt the coatings of adhesive material on the inner surfaces of the end panels 58 and of the sealing flaps 59, and the outer surfaces of the sealing flaps 62 are subjected to heat to melt the coating of adhesive material on them. Also, in the process of reaching the condition J, the carton is erected from its flattened condition to its rectangular cross-section.

When the carton is in the condition J, the heated end panels 58 are brought down about the scoring lines 57 to press their inner surfaces, on which the adhesive material has been melted, into engagement with the outer surfaces of the sealing flaps 62, which have also been heated, to cause the end panel 58 to adhere to the sealing flaps 62 and to effect a seal. In addition, the three sealing flaps 59 of each of the end panels 58 are brought down into adhesive engagement with the outer surfaces at the ends of the three wall panels 52, 53 and 54 to complete the production of a sealed carton, having as its only point of access the orifice provided by the closure flap 67.

Returning now to consideration of FIG. 1, it will be noted that letters corresponding to the various stages of processing of the blank as shown in FIG. 32 have been applied to the corresponding locations in the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

Turning now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 the reference numeral 71 designates two pairs of posts vertically mounted on a mounting plate 73 and the reference numeral 72 designates two other pairs of posts also mounted on the plate 73. The two posts comprising each pair are interconnected intermediate their ends by tie-bars 70 to impart stability. This combination of components forms a hopper for receiving a stack of carton blanks 50 and dispensing them one at a time. The two pairs of posts 71 are spaced from each other a sufficient distance to confine the free corners of the wall panel 54 of the carton blank and two pairs of posts 72 are spaced from each other a sufficient distance to confine the corners of the end panels 58 that are in alignment with the free edge of the wall panel 51. The distance between the pairs of posts 71 and the pairs of posts 72 is less than the distance from the free edge of the wall panel 51 to the free edge of the wall panel 54 of the blank, so that the blanks cannot be accommodated in a horizontal position but slope downwardly from the free edge of the wall panel 54 to the free edge of the wall panel 51 as seen in FIG. 6.

Below the leading edge of the lowermost blank 50 in the stack a roll 74 is mounted on a shaft 76 journaled in mounting plates 77 and the surface of the roll preferably has a coating 78 of a resilient material having a considerable coefficient of friction, such as elastomer. To the lower surface of the plate 73 a motor 81 is attached and the motor has its output pulley 82 connected by a belt 83 to a pulley 84 secured to the shaft 76 to which the roll 74 is secured. Clutch mechanism may be provided to control the driving of the roll 74 from the motor 81 or the motor 81 may be shut down when the processing of carton blanks is not to occur.

The shaft 76 also has secured thereto a gear 86 that meshes with an idler gear 87 mounted on a shaft 88 journaled in the plates 77. The idler gear 87 meshes with gear 89 secured to a shaft 91 to which is also secured a roll 92. The gear 89 also meshes with an idler gear 93 mounted on a shaft 94 journaled in the plates 77 and this idler gear meshes with a gear 96 secured to a shaft 97 that is journaled in the plates 77 and that has secured to it a roll 98. From the foregoing it will be apparent that when the shaft 76 is driven rotation is imparted through the idler gear 87 to the shaft 89 which in turn imparts rotation through the idler gear 93 to the shaft 97. The rolls 74, 92 and 98 have their axes located in the same plane, they have substantially the same diameter, are driven at the same speed, and in the same direction. Also their surfaces are similar, to serve as transports for the carton blanks 50.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, midway between the pairs of posts 72 a barrier member 101 is suspended and its free end is curved slightly to the left as viewed in FIG. 6 and terminates just above the surface of the roll 74. The depending barrier member 101 is positioned so that the clearance between its lower end and the surface of the roll 74 is less than twice the thickness of the carton blanks 50. Thus when rotation is imparted to the roll 74 the surface engagement of the lowermost carton blank 50 in the hopper with the roll 74 will cause the blanks to be withdrawn one at a time and moved leftwardly as viewed in FIG. 6. As is well known, the surfaces of liquid containing cartons coated with polyethylene are quite smooth, and the surface of the roll 74 must afford sufficient frictional contact with the carton blanks to propel them positively.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7 the roll 92 is provided with conical end flanges 102 and the distance between these flanges, which is the length of the cylindrical portion of the roll 92 is substantially equal to the distance between the scoring lines 61 at the outer ends of the end panels 58 of the blank 50.

Centrally of and above the roll 92 a bar 103 supports a shaft 104 which extends in opposite directions from the bar 103 and rotatably supports pressure rolls 106 that engage the upper surface of a carton blank 50 that is being propelled by the roll 92. The bar 103 also supports a shaft 107 which in turn rotatably supports pressure rolls 108 located above the roll 98. A link-bar 109 anchored to a frame member 111 carries at its free end a pin 112 which enters a recess in the bar 103 and has ball and socket connection with the bar 103. At a point intermediate the shafts 104 and 107 the bar 103 supports a post 113 which in turn supports a weight 114. The weight 114 provides the pressure to hold the rolls 106 and 108 firmly in engagement with the upper surface of a carton blank 50. The ball and socket articulation between the bar 103 and the pin 112 permits the structure that supports the rolls 106 and 108 to adjust itself to proper seating of the rolls 106 and 108.

The distance between the outer end of one of the pressure rolls 106 and the outer end of the other is slightly less than the length of the cylindrical portion of the roll 92, the difference being of the order of twice the thickness of the carton blank 50. As stated before, the length of the cylindrical portion of the roll 92 is substantially equal to the distance between the scoring lines 61 delineating the end sealing flaps of the end panels 58. As the blank 50 is propelled by the roll 74 toward the roll 92 the end sealing flaps 61 of the end panels 58 encounter the conical flanges 102 of the roll 92 and are deflected upwardly, which is inwardly of the blank 50 relative to its inner and outer surfaces, the blanks being stored in the supply hopper with their inner surfaces facing upwardly. The entire length of the wall panel 51 and the end panels 58 except the end sealing flaps 61 pass beneath the pressure rolls 106, and the end sealing flaps 59 bend about the scoring lines 61. Thus the rolls 92 and 106 process the blank to the extent indicated at A in FIG. 32.

The length of the roll 98 and the distance from the free end of one of the rolls 108 to the free end of the other is substantially equal to the distance between the scoring lines 57 of the wall panel 51 and the scoring lines 63 of the wall panels 52, 53 and 54. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, brackets 116 mounted on the plates 77 have secured thereto rods 117 extending inwardly toward the rolls 98 and 108 and at their free ends the rods 117 support cylindrical deflector members 118. The deflector members 118 are positioned very close to the ends of the roll 98, which has no end flanges, and the free ends of the rolls 108 and the orientation of the deflector members relative to the path of travel of the carton blank 50 is oblique, with their lower ends below the path of travel and closer to the roll 92 than their upper ends.

As the blank 50 approaches the roll 98 its end panels 58 encounter and slide upon the surfaces of the cylindrical deflector members 118, the end panels 58 being deflected upwardly, which is inwardly of the blank, about the scoring lines 57. As the wall panel 51 of the blank passes between the roll 98 and the pressure rolls 108 the upwardly deflected end panels 58 pass between the ends of the pressure rolls 108 and the cylindrical deflector members 118. As the blank 50 continues to move leftwardly as viewed in FIG. 6 the sealing flaps 62 of the wall panels 52, 53 and 54 are bent upwardly by the cylindrical deflector members 118 and pass between those members and the ends of the pressure rolls 108. The blank 50 emerges from the rolls 98 and 108 having been processed to the extent indicated at B in FIG. 32.

As the carton blank 50 emerges from the rolls 98 and 108 it rides on fingers 121 mounted on hubs 122 carried on the ends of rods 123 supported by the plates 77. The distance between the fingers 121 is about the same as the length of the roll 98.

The bar 103 that mounts the shafts 104 and 107 adjustably supports by means of a clamp 126 a two-armed deflector bar 127 the arms of which are divergent to extend laterally beyond the fingers 121 and in addition to extending outwardly they also extend downwardly as shown particularly in FIG. 4.

As the carton blank 50 emerges from the rolls 98 and 108 it is supported by the fingers 121 because the end panels 58 of the wall panel 51 extend laterally outside the fingers 121, but the end panels 58 encounter the arms of the deflector bar 127 which bend them downwardly into and beyond their original positions in the plane of the wall panel 51 of the blank 50, thus further limbering the scoring lines 57. The free ends of the fingers 121 slope downwardly as shown in FIG. 6 and as the wall panel 51 of the blank 50 clears the ends of the fingers 121, and with it the end panels 58, and the wall panel 54 moves free of the rolls 98 and 108, the portion of the blank comprised of the wall panels 52, 53 and 54 drops through between the fingers 121, landing on the rolls 131 and 132.

Reference has been made previously to the showing of a motor 46, in FIGS. 1 and 2, for driving a conveyor belt, which is identified by the reference numeral 133, and other portions of the carton forming apparatus. The conveyor belt is driven through a reduction gearing unit 128 and a belt-driving pulley 129, and the direction of movement of the upper run of the conveyor belt is toward the motor 46.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 5, the conveyor belt 133, at its opposite end from the motor 46, passes around an idler pulley 134 which is rotatably supported on brackets 136 mounted on the beam 41. A tensioning roll 137 carried by arms 138 that are supported on the mounting shaft for the roll 134 is biased by spring means (not shown) into engagement with the outer or lower surface of the lower run of the belt 133 to maintain the belt taut. The tensioning roll 137 engages the lower run of the conveyor belt 133 between the pulley 134 and an idler pulley 139.

As is seen most clearly in FIG. 5 the shaft which supports the pulley 134 for the conveyor belt 133 has secured thereto a sprocket 141. A sprocket 142 secured to a shaft 143 is connected by a sprocket chain 144 to the sprocket 141, to be driven by the latter sprocket. A sprocket 146, also secured to the shaft 143, is connected by a sprocket chain 147 to a sprocket 148 secured to a shaft 149. The shaft 149 also has secured thereto a sprocket 151 which is connected by a sprocket chain 152 to a sprocket 153 secured to a shaft 154. Further, the shaft 154 has secured thereto a sprocket 156 which is connected by a sprocket chain 157 to a sprocket 158 secured to a shaft 159. The shaft 159 supports and has secured to it the previously identified roll 131, into engagement with which the blank is depressed by the deflector bar 127. Also a sprocket 161 secured to a shaft 162 which supports the roll 132 engages the sprocket chain 157. The direction of rotation of all of the sprockets hereinbefore identified as clockwise as viewed in FIG. 5 so that the rolls 131 and 132 will propel the carton blank 50 to the right as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5.

At their ends nearest to the roll 98 the rolls 131 and 132 are provided with conical flanges 130 whereas at their opposite or outer ends they are provided with flanges 135 having radial walls. The function of the conical flanges is to urge the blank leftwardly, as viewed in FIG. 6, so as to press the edge of the sealing flap 64 of the wall panel 51 into engagement with the flange having the radial wall, which will thereby align the blank properly for further processing. As the blank begins to be propelled by the rolls 131 and 132, it will be in the process condition C shown in FIG. 32, flattened to approximately its original condition.

As previously mentioned the roll 74 at the bottom of the supply hopper delivers the blanks 50 immediately following one another, because as soon as one blank has been moved clear another comes into surface engagement with the roll 74, there being no gating mechanism to space the blanks. For the most part the blanks undergo continuous movement as they are being formed into a carton. However, at one stage in the process the blank must remain stationary for a brief interval, as will be described hereinafter, and because of this the blanks, as they are propelled beginning with the rolls 131 and 132, must be spaced apart a time interval distance equal to the time interval in which each is held stationary. Accordingly, the circumferential velocity of the rolls 131 and 132 is greater than that of the rolls 74, 92 and 98.

From the roll 132 the blank progresses to rolls 163 and 164 secured to the shafts 166 and 154 respectively, the shaft 166 being driven by a sprocket 167 that engages the sprocket chain 157. Pressure rolls 168 and 169, rotatably supported by shafts 171 and 172 respectively, hold the blank in engagement with the rolls 163 and 164. Shafts 171 and 172 are mounted on a floating bar 173 which is pressed downwardly by weight 174 mounted on post 176, all of this being similar to the arrangement for supporting and pressing downwardly the pressure rolls 106 and 108. The length of the roll 163 and the length of the cylindrical portion of the roll 164 is substantially equal to the distance between the scoring line 66 of wall panel 51 and the scoring line 56 between the wall panels 52 and 53. The location of the rolls 163 and 164 in relation to the location of the rolls 131 and 132 is such that as the blank passes between the roll 163 and its pressure rolls 168 the wall panels 51 and 52 will be confined between the rolls and the wall panels 53 and 54 will be unsupported. Also, the sealing flaps 59 at the outside edges of the end panels and the sealing flap 64 of the wall panel 51 will be unsupported.

The roll 163 has no end flanges whereas the roll 164 has conical end flanges 177 and 178, as shown in FIG. 9. The flange 177 bends upwardly about their scoring lines the sealing flap 64 of the wall panel 51 and the sealing flaps 59 at the outside edges of the end panels 58, that are in alignment with the sealing flap 64, and the conical flange 178 deflects the wall panel 53 upwardly about the scoring line 56 between the wall panels 52 and 53, the wall panel 53 carrying with it the wall panel 54. As the blank leaves the roll 164 it is as shown at D in FIG. 32.

From the roll 164 the blank progresses and successively encounters the rolls 181, 182 and 183 carried by the shafts 184, 186 and 187 respectively. These three shafts are driven by sprockets 191, 192 and 193 respectively that engage the sprocket chain 152. Pressure rolls 195 supported by a floating bar 194 retained in position in a manner similar to the bar 103 and pressed downwardly by a weight 196 press the blank into engagement with the surfaces of the driven rolls. Rolls 181, 182 and 183 are substantially the same length as the roll 164 but are displaced laterally in a direction away from providing support for the wall panel 51 of the blank and into position to provide support for the wall panel 53. As the blank advances, the wall panel 53 which has been raised toward a vertical position by the roll 164 encounters a deflector rail 197 which bends the two wall panels 53 and 54 back down into the plane of the wall panels 51 and 52. The rolls 181, 182 and 183 merely propel the blank forward without performing any forming operations, so that the pressure rolls 195 may be narrower than the rolls 181, 182 and 183, and they must not interfere with the deflection downwardly of the wall panels 53 and 54 by the deflector bar 197.

The roll 183 feeds the blank to a roll 201 which is secured to the previously identified shaft 149 driven by the sprocket 148. The bar 194 carries pressure rolls 202 and 203 for the roll 201 and the roll 201 is provided with an end flange 205 having a radially disposed wall which is encountered by the leading end panel 58 of the blank and then by the wall panel 51, the inside sealing flap 61 of the end panel being confined between the roll 201 and its pressure roll 202. The other end flange of the roll 201, designated by the reference numeral 210 is conical and is encountered by the wall panel 54 of the blank. The reason for the different flanges at the two ends of the roll 201 is that as the blank approaches the roll the leading end panel 58 encounters it first, but the body of the end panel 58 is to the left of the left hand end of the roll 201 as viewed in FIG. 10, only the inside sealing flap 61 of the leading end panel approaching confinement between the cylindrical portion of the roll 201 and the left hand pressure roll 202. If the left hand flange 205 of the roll 201 were to present a conical wall rather than a radial wall for deflecting the end panel 59 upwardly the inside sealing flap 61 of the leading end panel 58, which should pass between the roll 201 and its left hand pressure roll 202 might be pulled laterally by the body of the end panel 58 and thus the bending of the end panel relative to the sealing flap along the scoring line might not occur. It has been found that proper bending of the end flap relative to the inside sealing flange results from utilization of the end flange with the radial wall. The other flange with the conical wall performs its function satisfactorily because the two wall panels 52 and 53 pass between the roll 201 and its pressure rolls 202 and 203 as the wall panel 54 encounters the flange 210 and thus the bending can only occur at the desired point on the blank, namely along the scoring line 56 between the wall panels 53 and 54. The blank emerges from the roll 201 with its wall panel 51 and associated end panels 58 rocked upwardly about their scoring lines by the flange 205, and the wall panel 54 rocked upwardly about its scoring line by the flange 210, bringing the blank into the condition E shown in FIG. 32.

As the blank emerges from between the flanges of roll 201 and the pressure rolls 202 and 203 carried by the bar 194 the leading edge of the portion that had been pressed between the roll 201 and the pressure rolls 202 and 203 passes beneath a plate 204 that is articulated to a bifurcated end of the bar 194 by means of a pin 206. Between the arms of the bifurcation and accommodated by an aperture in the plate 204, a pressure roll 207 is carried by the pin 206, and beneath and engaged by the pressure roll 207 is a roll 208 secured to a shaft 209 driven from the sprocket chain 147 by a sprocket 211. A weight 212 is mounted on the plate 204 to press it downwardly, and beneath the plate are rolls 216, 217 and 218 secured to shafts 219, 221 and 222 respectively driven by sprockets engaging the sprocket chain 147.

Near its bifurcated end the bar 194 carries a block 226 to which is clamped, by means of a clamp 227, a carbon wall panel folding bar 228. The bar 228 is generally U-shaped, its arms 229 and 231 curving downwardly and converging to bring them close together and close to the upper surface of the plate 204.

It will be remembered that as the blank emerges from between the driven roll 201 and the pressure rolls 202 and 203 its outer wall panels 51 and 54, the former having the end panels 58, are generally erect with the two intermediate panels engaging the driven roll 201. The arms 229 and 231 of the wall panel folding bar 228 are encountered by the erect end panels of the blank and the arms bend the two panels inwardly to effect a folding of one upon the other. The approach of the arm 231 of the folding bar 228 to the surface of the plate 204 is steeper than the slope of the arm 229 so that as the wall panels 51 and 54 are brought down toward the plate 204 the edge of the wall panel 54 will be brought into overlapping relation to the sealing flap 64 on the wall panel 51. The portions of the arms 229 and 231 that pass above the plate 204 in the vicinity of the driven roll 218 are parallel but the two outer wall portions of the blank have been folded down, one upon the other, before they reach the parallel portions of the arms and so they pass underneath those portions. It may be noted at this point that the plate 204 is a substitute for pressure rolls to cooperate with the rolls 216, 217 and 218, because pressure rolls would interfere with the folding-in of the outer wall panels of the blank.

The shaft 222 that supports the roll 218 also has secured thereto bevel gears 236 meshing with bevel gears 237 rotatably mounted on vertically disposed shafts 238. The shafts 238 are rotatably confined in bearings 235 secured to posts 240 mounted on the beam 41, and each of the shafts 238 has secured thereto a roll 239 the surface of which has a relatively high coefficient of friction, and the rolls 239 engage the two edges of the blank, guiding it and also assisting the roll 218 in advancing the blank. As the blank emerges from between the supplementary blank feeding rolls 239 the portion of the blank that has been passing beneath the plate 204 continues underneath an extension plate 241 (FIG. 12), and beneath the extension plate 241 and near its point of connection to the plate 204 is located the previously identified shaft 143 that is driven by the sprocket chain 144 from the sprocket 141 that is driven through the idler 134 of the conveyer belt 133. The shaft 143 has secured thereto a roll 242 which has a surface coating having a high coefficient of friction to engage the under side of the portion of the blank that has been passing beneath the plate 204 and to propel the blank toward the conveyer belt 133 as the blank emerges from between the rolls 239. At the portion of the plate 241 where the roll 242 is beneath it the plate is narrower than the width of the two wall panels 52 and 53 that are passing beneath it, so that the edges of the wall panels 51 and 54 that join the wall panels 52 and 53 at the scoring lines 56, the panels 51 and 54 having their free edges overlapping, are exposed. Above and in alignment with the roll 242 is a pressure roll 243 supported on a shaft 244 journaled in fixed frame members 246 so that the pressure roll 243 is not yieldably supported as are others of the pressure rolls. The roll 243 is provided with flanges 247 which press upon the inner edges of the wall panels 51 and 54, sharply creasing and thus further limbering the interconnection of the wall panel 51 with the wall panel 52 and the interconnection of the wall panel 53 with the wall panel 54 at their scoring lines 56. The pressure roll 243 is in close proximity to the free ends of the arms 229 and 231 of the U-shaped wall panel folding member 228 so that the folded-down wall panels 51 and 54 are guided beneath the pressure roll 243.

As the carbon blank 50 is advanced by the roll 242 its leading edge comes into engagement with the conveyor belt 133 passing around the idler roll 134 and the belt 133 becomes the propellant for the carbon blank. The sprocket ratios as between the sprocket 141 and all of the sprockets driven directly or indirectly from the sprocket 141, are such, in relation to the ratio of the diameters of all of the carbon driving rolls driven by the sprocket 141 to the diameter of the idler roll 134 for the conveyor belt 133, that the linear velocity of the conveyor belt 133 is substantially the same as the circumferential velocities of all of the chain driven carbon blank driving rolls and it is the intention of the arrangement that no acceleration or deceleration of the blank shall take place when the conveyor belt 133 takes over the advancement of the blank.

Although the wall panels 51 and 54 of the carton blank 50 have been pressed down firmly by the pressure roll 243 the paper board of which the blank is formed has a memory, which is probably enhanced by the polyethylene coating on the blank, so that when those panels escape from the pressure roll 243 their free edges move upwardly, away from the plate 241 sufficiently to enable them to pass above a plate 251 (FIGS. 12 and 14) suspended from a frame member 252 by means of vertically extending posts 253 on which are mounted the eyes of pins 254 which in turn enter eyes on suspension pins 256 to which the plate 251 is secured.

The plate 251 has, on its edge that is approached by the wall panel 51, led by one of the end panels 58, a camming surface 257 which is divergent relative to the center line of the conveyor belt 133 in the direction of travel of the belt. This camming edge 257 of the plate 251 supplements the natural tendency of the wall panel 51 to spring upwardly, and raises the wall panel and its attached end panels 58 until it resumes a position substantially vertical relative to the wall panel 52 to which it is attached.

It will be remembered that the wall panel 51 is the panel that is provided with the access orifice with which the flap 67 is associated. Adjacent to the extremity of the camming surface 257 the apparatus is provided with a liquid adhesive applicator designated generally by the reference numeral 258. The liquid adhesive applicator is comprised of a nozzle 261, a supply duct 262 for the nozzle, a nozzle temperature monitoring device 263 and a liquid adhesive storing, heating and delivering apparatus (not shown). A number of liquid adhesive applicators are commercially available, and one that may be employed as a component of an apparatus for forming cartons in accordance with the invention is marketed by the Fox Division of the Aro Manufacturing Company under the name of FOXMELT. Briefly, the device to which the duct 262 is connected includes a tank for containing a supply of adhesive and a thermostatically controlled heater for bringing the adhesive to and maintaining a temperature at which the adhesive will flow freely. The duct is insulated to minimize loss of heat from the adhesive that has flowed from the supply source through the duct and to the nozzle and the duct is provided with a heating element to counteract such losses and maintain the adhesive fluent. The temperature monitoring devices 263 assures that the adhesive is in proper condition to be discharged from the nozzle 261. The nozzle has associated with it, internally, electrically controllable means for emitting a predetermined quantity of adhesive.

At a distance from the nozzle 261 of the adhesive applicator 258 in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt 133 substantially equal to the distance between the leading edge of the wall panels and the point of joinder of the closure flap 67 with the body of the wall panel 51 are mounted, above or below or laterally of the path of travel of the carton blank, a source of light 266, and in the opposite position a photocell 267, as indicated schematically in FIG. 12. Appropriate control circuitry, represented by the rectangle 268 connected between the photocell 267 and the emission control device in the nozzle, causes the control device to valve the nozzle 258 when a leading edge of the blank 50 cuts off the beam of light between the source 266 and the photocell 267, to cause a small spot of liquid adhesive to be deposited on the inner surface of the flap 62, substantially at its point of joinder to the wall panel 51 of the blank 50.

Just beyond the nozzle of the liquid adhesive applicator 258 is the discharge orifice of a storage hopper 271 for sipping tubes or straws of the proper length to be contained within the carton in accordance with the teachings of the Kalajian patent. As shown in FIG. 17 the hopper 271 is secured to an arm 272 carried by a post 273 that is mounted on a frame member 284 of the apparatus. The portion of the supply hopper for straws that is shown in the drawings is indicated as a sloping chute in which the straws are stored crosswise of the chute side-by-side and will emerge sidewise one at a time from the orifice.

At the point along the length of the straw waiting at the orifice of the chute that it is desired to establish contact between the spot of adhesive on the blank 50 and the straw the plunger 276 of a solenoid 277 passes through the frame member 284 and presents its free end in a position to engage the wall 51 of the carton blank 50 in registry with the straw 278. Control means, such as another light source 281, photocell 282 and control circuitry 283 causes interruption of the beam of light between the light source 281 and the photocell 282 by the leading edge of the blank 50 to result in momentary operation of the solenoid 277. The plunger of the solenoid strikes the side panel 51 of the carton blank at the point to which the spot of adhesive has been applied and brings the adhesive into contact with the waiting straw 268, thereby causing the straw to be attached to and carried along with the carton blank 50. The adhesive quickly sets and holds the straw permanently attached to the blank. The blank has now achieved the condition F of FIG. 32.

After the straw has been attached to the wall panel 51 of the carton blank 50 the wall panels 51 and 54 come into engagement with the deflector plates 286 and 287 respectively carried by side frame members of the conveyor. The deflecting surfaces of the deflector plates 286 and 287 converge toward the center line of the conveyor belt 133 and the deflecting surface of the deflector member 287 is farther along the conveyor belt from the point of application of the straw than is the deflecting surface of the deflector member 286. The result is that the deflecting surface of the deflector member 286 is first engaged by the leading end panel 58 associated with the wall panel 51 and then the wall panel itself and they are bent downwardly, substantially into the position that they occupied when passing under the arm 231 of U-shaped guide bar 228 and they pass beneath a narrow pressure roll 288 rotatably mounted on a shaft 289 which in turn is mounted in the frame member 284. The shaft 289 is not yieldably mounted, but the pressure roll 288 may have an exposed band of resilient material, such as an O-RING 290, which presses against the surface of the wall panel 51. As the roll 288 engages the upper surface of the side panel 51 it is intermediate the closure flap 67 and the sealing flap 64 so that the latter is exposed and the straw 68 is not crushed by the pressure roll 288.

As shown in FIG. 12 and extending into FIG. 13 an elongated heating element 291 is mounted on brackets 292 supported on posts 293 which in turn are supported by a frame member 294 of the conveyor apparatus. Preferably the heater 291 is an electrical resistance heating device and its position transversely of the conveyor is such that it is aligned with the path of travel of the outer sealing flaps 59 of the end panels 58 and the sealing flap 64 of the wall panel 51. Its distance above the conveyor belt 133 is such that these sealing flaps will pass beneath and in surface contact with the heating element.

It will be noted, by reference to FIG. 14, that the deflector plate 287 which deflects the wall panel 54 not only is located beyond the deflector panel 286 in the direction of travel of the blank but is a greater distance above the conveyor belt 133 then the deflector plate 286. The deflector plate 287 causes the free edge of the wall panel 54 to traverse the upper surface of the heating element 291. Thus the polyethylene coating on the outer surface of the sealing flap 64, and also on the outside sealing flaps of the end panels 58 is heated from above and the polyethylene coating on the inner surface of the wall panel 54 of the blank is heated marginally along the edge from below.

For the purpose of retaining the edge portion of the wall panel 54 in engagement with the heating unit 291 while the blank is traversing that unit, and also for restricting the heating generally to the area that is to overlap the sealing flap 64 of the wall panel 51, a tubular member 296 that is substantially coextensive with the heating unit 291 is mounted on brackets 297 which hold it parallel to the heating unit 291. Cold water may be circulated through the tubular member 296 to carry away heat absorbed by that member.

At spaced intervals along the heating element 291 narrow pressure rolls 298 similar to the pressure roll 288, are mounted on shafts 299 supported on frame member 284. These pressure rolls may be provided with resilient O-RINGS 300 engage the surface of the wall panel 51 between the location of the straw and the sealing flap 64 that is passing beneath the heating unit 291 and hold the blank by the belt will continue. Because the pressure rolls 298 are narrow the straw 68 will not be crushed. Where the shafts 299 extend beyond the pressure rolls 298 on the side toward the heating element 291 they support in suspension a plate 301 which resists any tendency of the shafts 299 toward misalignment and which also may absorb heat and thereby prevent excessive spreading of through the wall panel 51 of the blank in the same manner that the tubular element 296 absorbs heat. Below each of the narrow pressure rolls 298 and also below the pressure roll 288 conveyor belt supporting rolls 302 are provided.

As the heated blank emerges from contact with the heating element 291 it passes beneath a relatively heavy pressure roll 306 that is rotatably supported on an arm 307 pivotally mounted on a post 308. A conveyor belt supporting roll 309 is mounted beneath the conveyor belt at the point that its upper run is engaged by the pressure roll 306. The roll 306 presses the heated edge portion of the wall panel 54 of the blank firmly into engagement with the heated sealing flange 64 of the wall panel 51 to seal them together by means of the heated and therefore plasticized polyethylene as an adhesive. It is to be noted that the pressure roll 306 is sufficiently narrow and so positioned that it does not crush the straw 68. It should be noted at this point that as shown in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, the frame members 252 and 284 serve as lateral guides for the carton blank as it travels past the adhesive applicator 261, the straw supply hopper 271 and the heater unit 291.

At this point the blank has achieved the condition G in FIG. 32 and its configuration is that of a flattened open ended tube of rectangular cross-section. Beyond the pressure roll 306 in the direction of travel of the blanks the beam 41 is provided on opposite sides with brackets 311 and 312 which support electric motors 313 and 314 respectively. The motor 313 drives, through a speed reduction unit 316, a shaft 317 which supports at its free end a roll 318 which carries on its surface a resilient band 319, such as an O-RING. Similarly, the motor 314 carries a speed reduction unit 321 which drives a shaft 322 on the free end of which is attached a roll 323 provided with a resilient band 324, which may be an O-RING.

Associated with each of the brackets 311 and 312 is a post 326 which supports a shaft 327, on the free end of which is rotatably supported a roll 328, one above the roll 318 and the other above the roll 323. The mounting of the shaft 327 on the post 326 provides a small amount of wobble for the roll 328 so that the rolls 328 may rest upon the surfaces of the rolls 318 and 323 but lift to permit the passage of the carton blank between the driven rolls 318 and 323 and the rolls 328. The rolls 328 may be more accurately described as blank-retaining idler or guiding rolls than as pressure rolls, since they are relatively light. The rolls 323 and 328 are on opposite sides of and spaced laterally from the conveyor belt 133 and their positions are such that the leading end panel 58, followed by the wall panel 51 and then the trailing end panel 58 will pass between the rolls 318 and 328, with the wall panel 52 beneath the wall panel 51, and the wall panel 54 will pass between the roll 323 and the roll 328, and along with it the wall panel 53.

The motors 313 and 314 and their associated speed reduction units 316 and 321 provide a speed differential between the rolls 318 and 323, the roll 318 being driven faster than the roll 323. When the leading edge of the leading end panel 58 passes between the rolls 318 and 328 it tends to accelerate from the velocity at which the blank is being advanced by the conveyor belt 133, and when the leading edge of the wall panel 54, beneath which is the wall panel 53, passes between the slower moving roll 323 and the roll 328 the speed differential between the rolls 318 and 323 imparts a counterclockwise torque to the flattened carton blank. The system is adjusted, by establishing the proper speed differential between rolls 318 and 323, to produce a 90.degree. counterclockwise rotation of the flattened carton in its own plane of travel so that as its travel continues its major dimension will extend crosswise of the conveyor belt 133. As mentioned previously the speed reduction units 316 and 321 may provide different speed ratio. Alternatively, they may be alike, but the motors 313 and 314 may be variable speed motors and their speeds may be adjusted to produce the desired 90.degree. rotation of the carton. The attitude of the carton as it proceeds away from the rolls 318 and 323 is that shown at H in FIG. 32.

The next operation that is to be performed on the carton is the heating of the end panels preparatory to closing and sealing the ends of the carton. For this purpose the heaters 331, shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 and extending into FIGS. 21 and 22 are provided. The heaters are located on either side of the conveyor belt 133 and their surfaces are at about the same level as the surface of the upper run of the conveyor belt. Each is slightly wider than the end panels 58 of the carton blank 50 including their inside and outside seallng flaps 59, and of sufficient length to melt the polyethylene coating on the inner surface of each end panel and its sealing flaps during the interval of time that the carton is being transported along by the conveyor belt.

Details of one type of heater that has been found to be effective for heating the end portions of the carton preparatory to closing and sealing the ends is shown in FIGS. 23 to 25 inclusive. As shown in FIG. 23 the central supporting beam 41 of the apparatus supports transversely extending bars 332 at the outer ends of which are mounted posts 333. Brackets 334 are mounted on the posts 333 and the heater units 331 are attached to the brackets 334. The heater unit itself consists of an elongated U-shaped channel 336 which supports a perforated sheet of ceramic material 337. Mounted inside the channel 336 and extending from end to end is a burner unit 338 the upper face of which has many perforations. As shown in FIG. 24 a duct 339 enters the burner unit 338 at one end for supplying gas as the fuel for the heater. It will be understood that an electrical heater device could be employed for heating the polyethylene coatings on the carton blank in the desired places and that the showings in FIGS. 23 to 25 are merely representative of a type of heater that may be employed.

As is shown in FIG. 23, as well as in FIGS. 13 and 21 the posts 333 also support at their upper ends the cross bars 341 which carry midway between their ends pendent hangers 342 for supporting a pressure plate 343 positioned above and sufficiently close to the surface of the upper run of the conveyor belt 133 that it will press the carton into surface engagement with the conveyor belt and assure that its traversal of the heater units is continuous. As shown in FIG. 15 the pressure plate 343 is provided, at its end toward the carton rotating rolls 318 and 323, with a downwardly sloping deflector 344 for guiding the carbon beneath the pressure plate 343.

The temperature of the perforated ceramic plates 337 may, of course, be regulated by controlling the flow of gas to the burner unit 338. It must bring the polyethylene to a sufficient degree of softness to enable it to serve as an adhesive in the sealing process, without charing the paper board of which the carton is made. It will be noted that the entire inner surface of each end panel 58 of the blank and the inner surfaces of its three sealing flaps 59 are exposed directly to the heated ceramic plate 337. Also, because the outer surfaces of the sealing flaps 62 of the wall panels 52 and 53 are exposed directly to the heated ceramic plate 337 and the polyethylene coating on their surfaces will be melted also. As will be set forth more fully hereinafter, but as is indicated generally at J in FIG. 32, the carton will be closed at the ends by folding the end panels 58 down upon the sealing flaps of the wall panels 52, 53 and 54, so that the inner surface of the end panels 58 will contact, along their margins, the outer surfaces of the sealing flaps 62, and the sealing flaps 59 of the end panels 58 will be folded down with their inner surfaces engaging the surfaces of the wall panels 52, 53 and 54. It will be noted that while the ceramic plates 337 are heating directly the outer surfaces of the sealing flaps 62 of the wall panels 52 and 53 they are also heating marginal end portions of those panels a short distance inwardly from the scoring lines 63.

There remains the matter of heating the sealing flaps of the wall panel 54 that is passing beneath the pressure plate 343 facing upwardly. For the purpose of heating the outer surfaces of these sealing flaps and also the ends of the wall panel 54 marginally inward from the scoring line 63 electrical resistance heater units 346 are provided. The heater units 346 may be supported by bars 347 mounted on and extending transversely of the pressure plate 343. The heater units 346 may be substantially coextensive with the gas operated heater units 331 in close proximity to the outer surfaces of the sealing flanges 62 at the ends of the wall panel 54.

It will be apparent that the areas of the wall panel 51 and those of the end panels 58 that border the scoring lines 57 will also be heated. No adhesive use of the polyethylene coating that becomes melted in these areas will occur, but the softening of the coating in these areas may render the blank more flexible at those points and thus have a beneficial effect in the bending of the end panels 58 down into engagement with the sealing flaps 62 of the wall panels 52,53 and 54. It should be noted that in every instance of heating of the polyethylene to soften it, whether by the electrical heating unit 291, the gas fired heaters 331 or the electrical heating units 346, the heat is applied directly to the surface coating that is to be softened and not from the opposite face of the blank through the thickness of the paper board.

Referring now to FIGS. 21, 22, 26 and 27, as the flattened carton leaves the heaters 331 and 346 and emerges from beneath the pressure plate 343 its leading edge passes beneath a pressure roll 351 that is rotatably mounted above the conveyor belt 133 on a stationary shaft 352 supported by posts 353 carried by a mounting plate 354 that is secured to the upper surface of beam 41. The pressure roll 351 may be provided with resilient bands 355, such as O-RINGS, to provide pressure engagement of the flattened carton with the conveyor belt 133, since the shaft 352 has a fixed mounting. As shown in FIG. 26, the upper run of the conveyor belt 133 is supported below the pressure roll 351 by an idler roll 350. On either side of the pressure roll 351 the shaft 352 is grooved to receive a snap ring 356. Next in sequence outwardly in each direction of the shaft 352 from the snap rings 356 and spaced therefrom by a shoulder produced by reducing the diameter of the shaft 352, the shaft supports a hub 358 of a spider, a thrust washer 357, a compression spring 359, a spring thrust adjusting nut 361, and a locking nut 362, the shaft 352 being threaded to receive these nuts. The springs, backed by the nuts, thrust the hubs 358 against the shoulder. Four radially extending wire rods 363 are carried by the hub 358 on a 90.degree. spacing and complete the spider. The end portions of the wire rods 363 are bent at right angles to form carton blocking barrier extensions 364. The barrier extensions 364 lie generally in the plane of the four fingers 363 of the spider. The shoulders on the shaft 352 that are engaged by the hubs preclude surface contact of the hubs with the sides of the roll 351 so that, although, continuous rotation may be imparted to the pressure roll 351 through its engagement with the upper run of the conveyor belt 133, rotation is not imparted to the spiders by the roll 351 and they remain stationary until the leading edge of the flattened carton comes into engagement with the pair of wire rods 363 that are extending downwardly.

The pressure of the spider hubs 358 against the shoulders on the shaft is adjusted to be sufficiently light that the two spiders will turn when their depending wire rods 363 are engaged by the leading edge of the flattened carton without significantly interferring with the forward movement of the flattened carton by the conveyer belt 133.

It will be apparent that when, in the rotation of the spiders, the leading edge of the flattened carton encounters the barrier portion 364 bent at right angles to the radial portion of the wire rods 363 the forward movement of the flattened carton will be arrested. As indicatd at H in FIG. 32, the leading edge of the carton is the scoring line 56 between the wall panels 51 and 52 of the carton blank, the panels 51 and 54 being on top and the panels 52 and 53 being underneath and in engagement with the surface of the conveyor belt 133. With the wall panels of the collapsed or flattened carton that are underneath being urged along by the conveyor belt, particularly the wall panel 53 which continues to be pressed down by the pressure roll 351 after the wall panel 52 has moved clear of the pressure roll the leading edge of the carton rises away from the conveyer belt 133 as it continues in engagement with the barrier portion of the spider arm 363, accompanied by angular displacement of the wall panel 52 counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 22 and 23 from a generally horizontal to a vertical position. Thus the carton is brought erect from its collapsed to its fully expanded rectangular cross-sectional state and comes to rest in this position with the outer surface of the wall panel 52 abutting the barrier extensions 364 of the two arms 363 of the spiders through which the carton has imparted rotation to the spiders, and with the wall panel 51 that contains the closure flap 67 facing upwardly. At the point of arrestment of the carton the upper run of the conveyer belt 133 is supported by an idler roll 365.

FIG. 31 shows schematically a sequence of momentary conditions occurring during the conversion of a carton from the collapsed to the expanded form. At (a) a collapsed carton is about to contact the downwardly extending spider arms 363 and the carton that preceded it is in the position of being fully erected and arrested and, as will be described hereinafter, with the end closure capping completed. At (b) the spiders have been rotated sufficiently by the advancing collapsed carton to permit the carton that preceded it to escape and be carried along by the conveyor belt 133. The leading edge of the collapsed carton has almost reached the position of arrestment by the barrier extensions of the spider arms. At (c) the carton has just begun to assume in cross-section the configuration of a rhombus. At (d) the diagonals of the rhombus are approaching equality, and a slight additional rightward movement of the wall panel 53 of the carton by the conveyor belt will bring about a rectangular cross-section of the carton.

The point at which the erected carton is arrested by the spider, comprised of hub 358 and arms 363, is the location of the equipment for closing the ends of the carton. Referring to FIGS. 21, 22, 26, 28 and 29, the framework of this equipment comprises a base plate 366 mounted on the beam 41, vertically extending parallel side plates 367 and 368 which extend transversely of the conveyor belt 133, and vertically extending side plates 371, the plates 367, 368 and 371 all being supported by the base plate 367, 368 and 371 all being supported by the base plate 366. At their bases the plates 367 and 368 have apertures of sufficient size to permit passage therethrough of the carton, in the case of the plate 367 the carton having its end panels 58 extending outwardly from the body of the carton and in the case of the plate 368 the aperture needing sufficient width only to permit passage of the closed carton. In addition it will be apparent from FIG. 26 that a portion of the pressure roll 351 extends through the plate 367 and that the aperture must provide clearance for the arms 363 of the spider.

At the opposite ends of the position of a carton that has been arrested by the spiders the end-capping die members 372 are supported by means of pivots 373 on slides 374 mounted between and guided in slots in the plates 367 and 368. As shown in FIGS. 28, 29 and 30 end-capping die 372 has a cavity 376 which tapers inwardly from a dimension substantially greater than the cross-section of the erected carton to a dimension which is substantially that of the carton at its end with the sealing flaps 59 of the end panels 58 folded down into engagement with the outer surface of the three wall panels 52, 53 and 54. From the point at which the cavity reaches the latter dimension its cross-sectional dimension remains substantially constant for the remainder of its depth.

The end-capping die members are provided for pivotal operation with arms 377 that are connected by clevis pins 378 to clevises 379 on the lower ends of links 381, the upper ends of which are also provided with clevises 382 by means of which they are pivotally connected to a yoke bar 383 which is connected at its center to the piston rod 384 of a fluid pressure actuator 386. When the piston of the fluid pressure actuator device 366 is at the upper end of its stroke the bar 383 is raised and the left and right hand die members 372 are in their extreme clockwise and counterclockwise positions respectively, as shown in FIG. 28, in which positions free entry of a carton into erected position between the plates 367 and 368 is permitted. When, after movement of an erected carton into position between the plates 367 and 368, with its end portions heated for sealing in the manner previously described, the fluid pressure actuator device 386 is activated to move its piston downwardly the left and right hand die members 372 will be rocked counterclockwise and clockwise respectively to the positions shown in FIG. 29, the limit of movement being controlled by adjustable limit screws 387 that are carried by the slides 374 and are positioned in the path of the outer ends of the operating arms 377 of the die members 372 and are adjustable.

As the yoke bar 383 moves downwardly and rocks the die members 372 toward the positions shown in FIG. 29 they engage the end panels 58 of the carton and sweep them downwardly and inwardly into engagement with the sealing flaps 62 of the wall panels 52, 53 and 54, and the end panels in turn press those sealing flaps inwardly to an ultimate angular relation of 90.degree. to the wall panels. Also, because of the diminishing cross-sectional area of the cavity as the die members 372 move in against the ends of the carton the sealing flaps 59 of the end panels are brought down into engagement with the outer surfaces of the wall panels 52, 53 and 54 at the opposite ends thereof. When the die members 372 reach their limit positions both ends of the carton are confined to substantially the depths of the sealing flaps 62 within the portion of the die member cavity that is of constant cross-sectional dimension and the end panels 58 are pressed firmly against the sealing flaps 62 of the wall panels 52, 53 and 54, and the sealing flaps 59 of the end panels 58 are pressed firmly against the wall panels 52, 53 and 54 while the melted polyethylene congeals and effects a liquid-tight seal at both ends of the carton.

Referring again to the slides 372 that mount the end-capping die members 372 these slides are provided with threaded blocks 391 that are engaged by threaded portions of shafts 395 which are journaled in the end plates 371 and are provided with manual adjusting means such as hand wheels 392. By moving the slides 374 inwardly or outwardly by means of the hand wheels 392 the position of the die members 372 may be adjusted for final closure engagement with a carton centered on the conveyer belt 133. The links 381 that connect the end-capper die members 372 to the yoke bar 383 may be constructed to be variable in length, such as by a telescoping structure comparable to a turn buckle. With the combination of adjustable length links 381 and the slides 374 mounting the die members 372, and within the limits of the adjustability of the slides 374, and the positioning and widths of the heating units for the end portions of the cartons, cartons of different lengths may be accommodated. Locking members 388 for the slides 374, provided with a lip portion 389 to overhang a portion of the slide and contact a face thereon, are mounted on pins 390 that extend through the plate 368 and may be drawn up by manually operable locking members 395.

The fluid pressure actuated device 386 is preferably of the double acting type, characterized by having its piston positively movable by fluid under pressure, such as compressed air, from either of its limit positions to the other through a separate fluid inlet duct controlled by a separate valve, and the valves may be arranged, when closed to shut off pressure to the cylinder, to vent the cylinder to atmospheric pressure in order to enable quick action of the piston under the control of the other valve.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 30, the left hand one of the end capper die members 372 is provided with a groove 393 the purpose of which is to accommodate a lifter 394 for the closure flap 67 of the carton. The lifter 394 is suspended from the bar 383 and has at its lower end a hook 396. The position of the flap lifter 394 and the groove 393 are such, with reference to the position of the carton at the time of closure of the end panels, that as the bar 383 moves downwardly to swing the capping dies 372 into engagement with the carton the hook 396 on the flap lifter 394 penetrates the access orifice of the carton substantially at the end of the closure flap 67 and thus beyond the end of the straw that is attached to the flap on the isnide. The hook 396 engages the under surface of the flap and when the bar 383 is raised to its upper position to disengage the end capper die members 372 from the carton, to permit the carton to be moved along, the flap lifter 394 lifts the flaps 67, stripping it free from the wall panel 51 of the carton along the lateral edges of the flap as a step in preparation for the filling of the carton.

The valves of fluid pressure activators of the type represented in FIGS. 23-25 may be controlled by electrical solenoids. Since, in a double acting fluid pressure activated device without restoring springs, the piston may be moved from one end to the other only by the admission of fluid under pressure it is not necessary that a solenoid which opens a valve to effect movement of the piston in its assigned direction remain energized, nor that the valve remain open in order for the piston to remain in that position. With these factors in mind attention is directed to FIGS. 21, 22, 26, 28, 29 and 34, the latter being a schematic circuit diagram. FIGS. 21 and 22 show an electrical switch 401 which is positioned to be operated from its normal to its off normal condition by a flattened carton approaching the spider arms 363. A switch 402 is shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, and this switch is operated from its normal to its off normal condition by a carton which has been erected in the position to have the end panels moved into closure position and sealed. Also, in FIGS. 28 and 29 a switch 403 is shown which is in its normal or unoperated condition when the bar 383 that operates the end capper die members 372 is raised and that is in its off normal condition when the bar 383 is in its lower position. The three switches 401, 402 and 403 are preferably of the snap-action type that are self-returning by means of biasing springs to their normal or unoperated positions.

The three switches are shown in the schematic circuit diagram in FIG. 34 in association with the solenoids, 407 and 408 which have been indicated also by the direction-designating letters D and U, these being the solenoids that upon operation cause the movement of the bar 383 down and up respectively. It will now be assumed that the first carton of a run passes the switch 401, operating it momentarily and coming into position to have its ends capped, the carton having been erected by the spider arms 363. At this point, the momentary operation of the switch 401 will be disregarded. As the carton comes into its fully erected position it effects the operation of the switch 402 to its off normal condition in which its contacts are closed. The switch 401, having operated momentarily has returned to its unoperated condition, in which it is normally closed, and in this condition it prepares a circuit for the energization of the DOWN solenoid 407 which is completed by the closure, by the carton that is to have its ends closed, of the contacts of the switch 402 in series with those the switch 401. The solenoid 407 operates and causes the fluid pressure actuator 386 to bring the bar 383 to its lower position thereby effecting the closure of the ends of the carton. In its lower position the bar 383 operates the switch 403 to its off normal condition, which is a closure of its contacts. These contacts complete an energizing circuit for the UP solenoid 408. All three of the switches are now closed, both valves to the fluid pressure actuator are open, equal pressures are applied to both sides of the piston, and since the closure first of the circuit for the solenoid 407 caused the piston to operate to its lower position, it remains there. The conditions thus established remain, with the ends of the carton enclosed in the die members 372 and cooling, until the next carton approaches the spider arm 363 and again operates the switch 401. This operation of the switch 401 opens circuit for the solenoid 407 which closes its valve and thus permits the piston to respond to the valve previously opened by the solenoid 408. The end-capper die members 372 are thus disengaged from the completed carton and that carton is moved along by the conveyor belt 133, and with that carton having advanced from the capping position and the bar 383 having risen to its upper position the contacts of both of the switches 402 and 403 open. The carton which effected the release of the completed carton by the operation of the switch 401, upon arrival at the capping position, causes the contacts of the switch 402 to close again, thus again completing the circuit for the DOWN solenoid 407, the switch 401 having returned to its normal closed condition after the carton cleared its operating member. Thus the capping sequence is again repeated. It will be apparent from the foregoing that each carton, as it approaches the spider arms 363 controls the release of the carton that preceded it.

As set forth hereinbefore, it is contemplated that the cartons formed by the apparatus hereinbefore described may be supplied directly to apparatus for filling and sealing the cartons, one example of such an apparatus being shown in the hereinbefore identified co-pending application of Charles Wright Jones. As set forth in that application a carton filling capacity of 200 cartons per minute has been found to be satisfactory for the particular apparatus disclosed therein. If the carton forming apparatus described herein is to supply cartons directly to a carton filling apparatus having that capacity then the rate of issuance of carton blanks from the hopper comprised of the vertical posts 71 and 72 would be the same. This is at the rate of 3 1/3 cartons per second. As stated previously the linear velocity of the conveyer belt 133 is higher than the circumferential velocity of the rolls that receive the blanks from the storage hopper, in order to provide spacing between the carton blanks as they are advanced by the conveyer belt so as to provide rest time for the cartons at the end-capping station. It has been found that a linear velocity of 44 inches per second for the conveyer belt provides completely satisfactory operation. The spacing between leading ends of cartons traveling with the conveyer belt will thus be approximately 13 inches. It has been found that at this velocity frictional contact of the blanks or the partly formed cartons with the air, or normal air circulation movements will not cause the cartons to be retarded or displaced, even in those segments of travel in which the carton or the blank is not forced into engagement with the surface of the conveyor belt either by pressure rolls or other restricting means. Also the time interval between the capping of successive cartons has been found to be sufficient that firm and permanent sealing of the ends of the cartons is accomplished so that they are fluid tight.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for forming a sealed container from a blank in the form of a sheet having scorings defining container sides and overlap sealing flaps associated with the sides, and scorings defining container ends and overlap sealing flaps associated with the ends;

means for storing a supply of said blanks;

means for removing blanks from the storing means one at a time;

means for advancing said blanks with a predetermined spacing between them;

means for flexing each blank at each of the scorings;

means for presenting in relative overlapping relation one of said container sides and a sealing flap associated with another of said container sides;

means for sealing together the overlapping container side and flap to form a tube;

means for arresting each blank while those following it continue to advance;

means at the point of arrestment of the blank for presenting the container ends of said blank in closure relation to said tube with the flaps of said continaer ends overlapping the sides of said tube to form a closed container; and

means for effecting the release of the arrested blank before it is overtaken by the immediately following blank.

2. In an apparatus for forming a sealed container from a blank in the form of a sheet having scorings defining container sides and overlap flaps associated with the sides, and scorings defining container ends and overlap flaps associated with the ends:

means for storing a supply of said blanks;

means for removing blanks from the storing means one at a time;

means for advancing said blanks with a predetermined spacing between them;;

means for flexing each blank at each of the scorings;

means for presenting in relative overlapping relation one of said container sides and a flap associated with another of said container sides;

means for sealing together the overlapping container side and flap to form a tube;

means for arresting each blank while those following it continue to advance;

means at the point of arrestment of the blanks for presenting the container ends of said blank in closure relation to said tube with flaps of said container ends overlapping the sides of said tube to form a closed container; and

means controlled by the immediately following blank for effecting the release of the arrested blank before it is overtaken by the immediately following blank.

3. In an apparatus for forming a sealed container from a blank in the form of a sheet having scorings defining container sides and overlap sealing flaps associated with the sides, and scorings defining container ends and overlap sealing flaps associated with the ends, and having in one of said sides a liftable closure flap,

means for storing a supply of said blanks;

means for removing blanks from the storing means one at a time;

means for flexing the removed blank at each of the scorings;

means for storing a supply of sippers of a length to be containable in said container;

means for attaching one of said sippers to the inner surface of said closure flap extending longitudinally of said flap and container side and in a position to be usably exposable by the lifting of the flap;

means for presenting in relative overlapping relation one of said container sides and a sealing flap associated with another of said container sides;

means for sealing together the overlapping container side and flap to form a tube;

means for presenting the container ends of said blank in closure relation to said tube with the sealing flaps associated with said container ends overlapping the sides of said tube to form a closed container; and

means for sealing to the sides of said tube the overlapping flaps of said container ends to seal off the interior of the container.

4. In an apparatus for forming a sealed container from a blank in the form of a sheet having scorings defining container sides, and overlap sealing flaps associated with the sides, and scorings defining container ends, and overlap sealing flaps, associated with the ends, with the container ends being extensions of one of the sides at both ends of said side,

means for storing a supply of said blanks;

means for removing blanks from the storing means one at a time;

means for flexing the removed blank at each of the scorings;

means for transporting said blank in an orientation in which one of said container ends is leading and the other is trailing;

means engageable by the blank as it is transported for presenting in relative overlapping relation one of said container sides and a sealing flap associated with another of said container sides;

means for sealing together the overlapping container side and flap to form a tube;

means comprising a pair of rolls driven at different speeds and disposed on opposite sides of said transporting means and in the path of movement of the tube to have their peripheries fictionally engaged by the tube for reorienting said tube relative to said transporting means to an extent of substantially 90.degree. to dispose said container ends on opposite sides of said transporting means;

means positioned on opposite sides of said transporting means for separately and simultaneously imparting an adhesive condition to the two container ends and their associated overlap flaps;

means for presenting the adhesively conditioned container ends of said blank in closure relation to said tube with flaps of said container ends overlapping the sides of said tube to form a closed container; and

means for sealing to the sides of said tube the overlapping flaps of said container ends to seal off the interior of the container.

5. In an apparatus for forming a sealed container from a blank in the form of a sheet having scorings defining container sides and overlap sealing flaps associated with the sides, and scorings defining container ends, and overlap sealing flaps associated with the ends, with the container ends being extensions of one of the sides at both ends of said side and one of the sides having a liftable closure flap,

means for storing a supply of said blanks;

means for removing blanks from the storing means one at a time;

means for flexing the removed blank at each of the scorings;

means for transporting said blank in an orientation in which one of said container ends is leading and the other is trailing;

means for storing a supply of sippers of a length to be containable in said container and with their axes parallel to the direction in which said transporting means transports the blank;

means for attaching one of said sippers to the inner surface of said closure flap extending longitudinally of said flap and container side and in a position to be usably exposable by the lifting of the flap;

means engageable by the blank as it is transported for presenting in relative overlapping relation one of said container sides and a sealing flap associated with another of said container sides;

means for sealing together the overlapping container side and flap to form a tube;

means for reorienting said blank relative to said transporting means to an extent of substantially 90.degree. to dispose said container ends on opposite sides of said transporting means;

means positioned on opposite sides of said transporting means for separately and simultaneously imparting an adhesive condition to the two container ends and their associated overlap flaps;

means for presenting the adhesively conditioned container ends of said blank in closure relation to said tube with flaps of said container ends overlapping the sides of said tube to form a closed container; and

means for sealing to the sides of said tube the overlapping flaps of said container ends to seal off the interior of the container.

6. In an apparatus for forming a sealed container from a blank in the form of a sheet having scorings defining container sides and overlap sealing flaps associated with the sides, and scorings defining container ends and overlap sealing flaps associated with the ends:

means for storing a supply of said blanks;

means for removing blanks from the storing means one at a time;

means for flexing the removed blank at each of the scorings;

means for presenting in relative overlapping relation one of said container sides and a sealing flap associated with another of said container sides;

means for sealing together the overlapping container side and flap to form a tube;

means for presenting the container ends of said blank in closure relation to said tube and for folding the overlap sealing flaps associated with said container ends into overlapping relation and surface contact with the outer surfaces of the sides of said tube to form a closed container;

means for sealing to the sides of said tube the overlapping sealing flaps of said container ends to seal off the interior of the container;

conveyor means for moving said blank into and out of registry with the means for presenting the container ends into closure relation to the tube; and

means for arresting said blank in the position of registry with said container end presenting means.

7. In an apparatus for forming a sealed container from a blank in the form of a sheet having scorings defining container sides and overlap sealing flaps associated with the sides, and scorings defining container ends and overlap sealing flaps associated with the ends:

means for storing a supply of said blanks;

means for removing blanks from the storing means one at a time;

means for flexing the removed blank at each of the scorings;

means for presenting in relative overlapping relation one of said container sides and a sealing flap associated with another of said container sides;

means for sealing together the overlapping container side and flap to form a tube;

normally retracted means moveable into engagement with the entire surface of the container ends for pressing the container ends into closure relation to the tube;

means for flexing the overlap flaps of the container ends into surface engagement with the sides of the tube; and

means for sealing to the sides of said tube the overlapping sealing flaps of said container ends to seal off the interior of the container.

8. Container forming apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said blank advancing means is a continuously operating belt conveyor disposed in relation to the blank arresting means to move blanks into and out of arrestment relation with said arresting means and having operative association with an arrested blank tending to advance it from the position of arrestment.

9. Container forming apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said blank advancing means is a continuously operative conveyor engaging and seeking to advance an arrested blank and effective to advance the blank on release thereof from its arrestment.

10. In an apparatus for forming a sealed container from a blank in the form of a sheet having scorings defining container side panels and overlap flaps associated with the side panels, and scorings defining container end closure panels and overlap flaps associated with the end closure panels:

means for storing a supply of said blanks;

means for removing blanks from the storing means one at a time;

means for flexing the removed blank at each of the scorings;

means for presenting in relative overlapping relation one of said container side panels and a flap associated with another of said container side panels;

means for sealing together the overlapping container side panel and flap to form a tube;

means for creating a condition for adhesive interengagement of the overlap flaps of the closure panel at each end of the tube with the outer surfaces of the side panels of said tube:

means comprising movably mounted die members having a cavity proportioned to confine an end closure panel; and

means for moving the die members to cause them to move the end closure panels into closure relation to the tube and the flaps into overlapping relation to the side panels of the tube to form a closed container.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 including:

means for supporting the open-ended tube to afford it freedom of endwise movement; and

means for concurrently operating the moving means for both die members to cause the carton to adjust its position to the die members and equalize the pressures on the two ends.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein:

the movably mounted die member has a cross-sectional area decreasing from the mouth of the cavity to a polygonal configuration matching that of the tube and terminating in a portion of cross-sectional area and depth dimensioned to enclose end portions of the tube and press the sealing flaps into firm engagement with the outer surfaces of the side panels of the tube.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein:

the movably mounted die members are pivotally mounted in confronting relation with a spacing between them matching the distance between the scorings defining the end closure panels of the container blank; and

the means for moving the die members causes the die members to sweep the end closure panels about the scorings defining those panels and into closure relation to the tube.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including conveyor means for conveying the blanks uninterruptedly past said sipper attaching means and wherein:

the means for storing a supply of sippers includes a sipper dispensing chute having its dispensing end disposed immediately adjacent to the path of travel of the inner surface of the closure flap of the blank.

15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein the sipper attaching means includes:

means for applying a spot of adhesive substance to the inner surface of the closure flap;

means for establishing contact between the adhesive coated portion of the flap and the sipper exposed at the dispensing end of the chute;

and means for timing the establishment of contact to occur upon arrival of the spot of adhesive substance on the closure flap of the blank at a predetermined point along the length of the sipper.

16. Apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein:

the contact establishing means is an impact instrumentality positioned to strike the closure flap on its outer surface and drive the adhesive coated area into contact with the sipper.

17. Apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein:

the timing means senses arrival of the blank at a predetermined point in its travel and activates the impact instrumentality.