Carton sealing machine having releasable latching means to hold retracted tape applying means while any carton travels therepast

In a machine for sealing forwardly traveling rectangular cartons with adhering tape extending longitudinally from end to end and lapping folded stacked flaps as top and/or bottom closure means to prevent normally projecting tape applicator means from applying to such closure means of each carton excessive inward pressure which may cause such deflection thereof as to catch into and break back out an edge portion of the carton trailing back end wall;

• comprising
• 1. movably mounted tape applicator means projectable into a defined path of forward travel of a closure of folded and stacked flaps of an advancing carton and biased inward thereagainst normally for depression thereby as the carton travels forward for application of tape to such forwardly traveling closure;
• 2. mechanism alternately to project and retract said tape applicator means located initially in the path of forward travel of each such carton for retractive manipulation of said inwardly biased projecting applicator means upon contact by said advancing carton;
• 3. releasable latch means manipulated by said mechanism to hold said tape applicator means retracted to the vicinity of the margins of the forward travel path of such carton and its closures of folded flaps while said advancing carton and its closure are traveling past said tape applicator means;
• and
• 4. means to release said latch means for restoring the projection of said tape applicator means into the carton travel path after passage of said carton.