Packaging machine with pivoting minor flap retainer and rotating glue gun assembly

Abstract

An automated packaging process includes a packaging apparatus that is capable of closing cartons of various configurations, using a rotating glue gun assembly, and by providing a cycle stop operation finishing capability that allows completion of packaging processes in progress when the cycle stop operation is initiated. For cartons that have minor flaps that are substantially overlapped by a bottom end flap, a pivoting minor flap retaining guide holds the minor flaps closed while the bottom end flap is folded upwardly and over the minor flaps. The rotating glue gun assembly allows rotation of the glue nozzles to allow selective placement, spacing, and timing of the application of glue beads for gluing cartons having various configurations. By rotating the glue nozzles, the distance between the applied glue beads can be adjusted according to desired specifications, and without disabling specific glue guns for extended periods of time during the packaging run.

1 . A packaging apparatus for sealing a carton in an automated packaging process, comprising:
 a rotating glue gun assembly, comprising:
 a first glue nozzle; and 
 a second glue nozzle spaced apart from the first glue nozzle; wherein: 
 each of the first glue nozzle and the second glue nozzle is for applying a respective one of two substantially parallel beads of glue onto the carton; and 
 rotation of the glue gun assembly provides variable placement of and spacing between the two substantially parallel beads of glue on the carton as the carton moves past the rotating glue gun assembly. 
   
   
   
       2 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the glue gun assembly can be rotated through at least ninety degrees. 
   
   
       3 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first glue nozzle and the second glue nozzle can be separately actuated. 
   
   
       4 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , the rotating glue gun assembly further comprising a rotatable glue gun assembly bracket to which the first glue nozzle and the second glue nozzle are fixedly mounted. 
   
   
       5 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at a first orientation of the glue gun assembly, a spacing between the two substantially parallel beads of glue is substantially equal to a linear distance between the first glue nozzle and the second glue nozzle. 
   
   
       6 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein a second orientation of the glue gun assembly arranges the first glue nozzle and the second glue nozzle such that the two substantially parallel beads of glue together define a single composite line of glue. 
   
   
       7 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein at a third orientation of the glue gun assembly, the spacing between the two substantially parallel beads of glue is less than the linear distance between the first nozzle and the second nozzle. 
   
   
       8 . A packaging apparatus in an automated packaging process, for sealing a carton having minor flaps and a bottom end flap, comprising:
 means for holding the minor flaps in a closed position; and a cycle stop compression plate for, upon the occurrence of a cycle stop operation, folding the bottom end flap over the minor flaps and holding the bottom end flap in place until the carton is sealed.   
   
   
       9 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein means for holding the minor flaps comprises a retaining bar. 
   
   
       10 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising an actuation cylinder configured to extend upon occurrence of a cycle stop operation to move the cycle stop compression plate so as to fold the bottom end flap. 
   
   
       11 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein means for holding the minor flaps comprises a retaining guide. 
   
   
       12 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 at least one lower track; and   an articulating track bar associated with the actuation cylinder and the compression plate, the articulating track bar extending through the at least one track so as to translate the extension of the actuation cylinder into the motion needed to fold the bottom end flap upwardly and into face contacting relation to the minor flaps.   
   
   
       13 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein in absence of the occurrence of a cycle stop operation, the retaining guide is positioned between the cycle stop compression plate and the carton. 
   
   
       14 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a spring loaded compression bar for applying pressure to the bottom end flap to maintain a tight closure of the minor flaps as the bottom end flap is folded. 
   
   
       15 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 at least one pivot block associated with the retaining guide; and   a cam bar associated with the actuation cylinder and contacting the at least one pivot block so as to translate the extension of the actuation cylinder upon occurrence of a cycle stop into motion that pivots the retaining guide to avoid interfering with the cycle stop compression plate folding the bottom end flap of the carton.   
   
   
       16 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising means for retracting the retaining guide as it pivots to avoid binding on the carton. 
   
   
       17 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein means for retracting the retaining guide comprises:
 at least one slide rod associated with the retaining guide;   at least one upper track; and   a retracting track bar in contact with the at least one slide rod and extending through the at least one upper track so as to retract the at least one slide rod into the at least one pivot block in response to the pivoting motion of the retaining guide.