Method and apparatus for applying glue to boxes

Abstract

A method and apparatus for applying glue to boxes, and more particularly a method and apparatus that is used for applying glue to boxes during a process of sealing the flaps of boxes is disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for applying glue to the flaps of at least one box, which at least one box is moving along a path, said apparatus comprising: 
 one or more glue applicators; and    at least one feedback device for sensing the position of said at least one box and timing the application of glue onto said at least one moving box, said at least one feedback device being in operational communication with said one or more glue applicators so that said at least one feedback device can at least indirectly cause said one or more glue applicators to apply glue to said at least one box.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said at least one feedback device comprises a servo-controlled device and a box-position indicating device that are at least indirectly in communication with each other.  
     
     
         3 . A method for applying glue to box flaps, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing at least one open box having flaps;    (b) providing a box-making machine, said box-making machine having a drive mechanism;    (c) using said drive mechanism of said box-making machine to move said at least one open box along a path;    (d) providing an apparatus for applying glue to at least some portion of said at least one of said box flaps, said apparatus comprising a phasing mechanism that phases the application of glue onto at least portions of at least one of the box flaps, wherein said apparatus is driven independently of said drive mechanism; and    (e) applying glue to at least portions of at least one of the box flaps using said apparatus while said boxes are moving along said path.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said phasing mechanism comprises a servo-controlled device and a box position-indicating device that are at least indirectly in communication with each other.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said servo-controlled device comprise a servomotor.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said phasing mechanism is selected from the group comprising: a linear motor, a linear actuator, and an independently-driven cam.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said box position-indicating device comprises a position feedback device.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said box position-indicating device is selected from the group comprising: an encoder, a DC motor, and a computerized controller.  
     
     
         9 . A method for applying glue to box flaps, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing two at least partially open boxes having flaps, said boxes comprising a first box and a second box, each of said boxes having a leading side, a trailing side, and two lateral sides, said boxes each having flaps comprising a first pair of flaps, each flap in said first pair of flaps being located opposite the other, one being adjacent to the leading side of the box and the other being adjacent to the trailing side of the box, said flaps comprising a leading flap and a trailing flap, respectively, and a second pair of flaps, each flap in said second pair of flaps being located opposite the other adjacent to one of the lateral sides of the box on opposite sides of the box;    (b) conveying the first and second boxes in a machine direction with the first box being conveyed first with its leading side in the lead and the second box being conveyed second with its leading side being the closest portion of the second box to the trailing side of said first box; and    (c) applying glue with an apparatus comprising one or more glue applicators, said glue being applied in the form of a first line of glue to the trailing flap of the first box and a second line of glue to the leading flap of the second box.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said first and second lines of glue are oriented perpendicular to the machine direction.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said first line of glue and the second line of glue are applied simultaneously.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said first line of glue and said second line of glue are applied by an apparatus that moves at an angle to the machine direction across the boxes.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said angle is greater than about 45°.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the apparatus applies said lines of glue without the at least one glue applicator contacting the flaps of the boxes.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the lines of glue have a beaded shape when viewed in cross-section.  
     
     
         16 . An assembly for supplying glue to at least one movable glue applicator which glue applicator has a path of movement, said assembly comprising a flexible conduit which is in the configuration of an arch during at least one point in the process of supplying glue, wherein arch has an apex and said conduit is arched so that it moves from a first position in which the apex of the arch has a first radius to a flatter second position in which the apex of the arch has a second radius that is larger than said first radius.  
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16  wherein the arch is disposed over the path of movement of the glue applicator.  
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 16  further comprising a flexible support for supporting said flexible conduit.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for applying glue to the flaps of at least one box, which at least one box is moving along a path, said apparatus comprising one or more glue applicators wherein said one or more glue applicators are capable of applying a line of glue that is oriented at an angle to the path of movement of said at least one box, and said line of glue has a raised cross-sectional configuration.