Apparatus for direct injection molded closure

A form, fill and seal packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing a carton, the machine configured to mold a closure directly onto the carton, the machine comprising:

• a carton erection station, the carton erection station adapted to receive a carton in a generally flat form and erect the flat form carton into a tubular form defining an internal carton region;
• a direct injection molding station having a mold tool having an internal mold tool and an external mold tool, the internal mold tool configured for receipt within the internal carton region, the internal mold tool and the external mold tool configured to receive and clamp the carton therebetween, the direct injection molding station further including a polymer injection system for injecting polymer from a location external of the carton to the mold tool, wherein a closure is directly molded in place on the carton, wherein the external tool is configured to move between a first position in which the external mold tool is disengaged from the internal mold tool and a second position in which the external mold tool is engaged with the internal mold tool with the carton disposed therebetween, the external mold tool being formed having first and second portions configured to move toward one another when the external mold tool moves to the second position, and away from one another when the external mold tool moves to the first position;
• a filling station for filling the carton;
• and
• a sealing station for forming a seal on the carton.