Apparatus for automatically closing L-slide lock cartons
AssigneeFrito-Lay, Inc.
InventorJohn Plaskett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for automatically closing L-slide lock cases travelling with the lateral axis in the direction of travel and stopped intermittently for closing includes selectively positionable support rods for defining a fold line in an open flap, a flap fold member for folding the open flap over the support rods line and moving the top edge of the open flap adjacent the L-slide locks, and a flap tucking member operable on the folded open flap to slide it into the L-slide lock and flatten out the fold. Each of the members may be driven by cylinders in an appropriate sequential manner to accomplish these folding and tucking operations.
Claims16
Apparatus for automatically closing the top of a case having an open closing flap and L-slide lock slots for receiving opposite free end corners of the closing flap, the cases travelling transverse to their longitudinal axes and travelling intermittently, the cases being stationary during the operation of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) means for holding a case at a predetermined stationary position relative to the apparatus, the case having a top portion which includes an open closing flap connected to the top of the case, the closing flap having a free longitudinal edge and opposite free end corners, the top portion further including L-slide lock slots for receiving respective free end corners of the closing flap;
- (b) means for folding the open closing flap to form a longitudinal fold in the closing flap while the case is held stationary, the fold being between the top of the case and the free longitudinal edge of the closing flap so that the free longitudinal edge of the closing flap is positioned at about a level with a top level of the case and the opposite free end corners of the closing flap are positioned adjacent respective L-slide lock slots;
- and
- (c) means for tucking the opposite free end corners of the closing flap into the respective L-slide lock slots while the case is held stationary, the tucking means including means for guiding the longitudinal fold of the closing flap to a position at about a level with a top level of the case to cause each of the free end corners to enter the respective L-shaped slots and thereby close the top of the case.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.