Apparatus for sealing containers

Apparatus of the type used for sealing the foldable flaps of cartons of random sizes, said apparatus including a frame structure, a vertically movable sealing head means mounted to said frame structure, and carton conveying means having a pair of facing longitudinally extending side arm means mounted to said frame structure so as to permit transverse movement of said side arm means towards and away from each other, said side arm means having endless conveyor belts engageable with opposite sides of said carton to move same through said sealing head means;

• an improved mechanism for transversely moving said side arm means towards and away from each other comprising:
• a. a pair of longitudinally spaced sprocket wheels supported for simultaneous rotation about a substantially vertical axis;
• b. a pair of substantially horizontal connecting rods associated with each of said sprocket wheels, each of said connecting rods having first ends pivotally secured to said sprocket wheels and second ends pivotally secured to corresponding ends of said side arm means;
• and
• c. means for rotating said sprocket wheels in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, such rotary motion of said sprocket means being translated to linear motion at said side arm means through said connecting rods.