Taping machine for variable-size cartons

A taping machine capable of handling different size cartons comprising a support base, a carton advancement means along the support base, a taping head disposed above the support base, the taping head having at least one pair of pivotally connected arms, each arm having a thrust member at one end, a control means to raise and lower the taping head and to control arm movement, the control means sensing the presence of a carton and lowering the taping head to contact the carton while pivoting the arms such that the thrust members contact the upper side edges of the carton thereby bringing top flap portions of the carton together for taping.

A taping machine capable of handling different size cartons comprising a support base, a carton advancing means along the support base, a taping head disposed above the support base, at least one pair of arms pivotally connected at one end to the taping head, each arm having a thrust member member at the opposite end, at least one spring connecting the arms to urge them towards each other, a pneumatic cylinder connecting the arms capable of urging the arms selectively inwardly towards each other and outwardly away from each other against the spring tension, a control means capable of raising and lowering the taping head and further being capable of actuating the pneumatic cylinder, the control means being capable of sensing the presence of carton having its closure flaps in the closed position whereby the taping head is lowered to contact the carton and the pneumatic cylinder allows the arms to be moved towards each other by the spring tension and subsequently apply a force in the same direction as the spring, the arms and thrust member arranged such that their movement toward each other causes the thrust members to contact the upper sides of the carton to urge the closure flaps together while the taping head seals the carton.