Box sealer

A box or carton sealer comprising:

• a frame having a longitudinal axis and including a conveyor for moving boxes along said axis through the sealer;
• a pair of longitudinal, laterally spaced-apart centering bars linked together to move inwardly and outwardly to match the width of a box passing therethrough, said bars including diverging entry portions forming a throat to center the box therebetween, and means for urging the bars inwardly into engagement with the box;
• a first floating head spaced above the centering bars, said first head including an upwardly inclined entry ramp adapted to engage and fold inwardly a forward end flap on the box, said first head lifting upwardly by the box engaging said inclined entry ramp, said first head including a pivoting arm assembly pivotable downwardly after the box passes thereunder to fold inwardly a rearward end flap on the box, said first head further including diverging side bars for engaging and folding inwardly side flaps on the box after the rearward end flap has been folded inwardly;
• and
• a second floating head located downstream of the first floating head, the second floating head being adapted to mount a tape dispenser centrally thereon, the second floating head including means to hold the box side flaps down on top of the box end flaps, and an upwardly inclined entry ramp adapted to be engaged by the box on the conveyor to lift the second floating head to a predetermined desired height for engagement of the tape dispenser against the box flaps to tape the box shut.