Sealer applicator for a fiberboard assembler

Abstract

A sealer applicator ( 20 ) for a fiberboard container assembler is provided. The sealer applicator ( 20 ) includes a housing ( 30 ) defining a first guide surface ( 32, 34 , or 36 ) and a plurality of applicator assemblies ( 50 ) disposed within the housing ( 30 ). The sealer applicator ( 20 ) also includes at least one trigger ( 60 ) in communication with the plurality of applicator assemblies ( 50 ), the at least one trigger ( 60 ) adapted to reciprocate the plurality of applicator assemblies ( 50 ) between an ON state, wherein each of the applicator assemblies ( 50 ) apply a closure material to the container ( 24 ), and an OFF state when the least one trigger ( 60 ) is actuated.

1 . A sealer applicator for a fiberboard container assembler, the sealer applicator comprising:
 (a) a housing defining a first guide surface;   (b) a plurality of applicator assemblies associated with the housing; and   (c) at least one trigger in communication with the plurality of applicator assemblies, the at least one trigger adapted to reciprocate the plurality of applicator assemblies between an ON state, wherein each of the applicator assemblies apply a closure material to a container, and an OFF state when the least one trigger is actuated.   
     
     
         2 . The sealer applicator of  claim 1 , further comprising a second trigger in communication with the plurality of applicator assemblies. 
     
     
         3 . The sealer applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the second trigger is spaced from the at least one trigger to switch at least one of the plurality of applicator assemblies from the OFF state to the ON state when the second trigger is actuated by a container. 
     
     
         4 . The sealer applicator of  claim 3 , further comprising a third trigger in communication with the plurality of applicator assemblies. 
     
     
         5 . The sealer applicator of  claim 4 , wherein the third trigger is spaced from the second trigger to switch at least one of the plurality of applicator assemblies from the OFF state to the ON state when the third trigger is actuated. 
     
     
         6 . The sealer applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the closure material is selected from a group consisting of adhesives, tape, staples, and straps. 
     
     
         7 . The sealer applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of applicator assemblies are adhesive applicators. 
     
     
         8 . The sealer applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one trigger is a sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The sealer applicator of  claim 1 , wherein a leading edge of the first guide surface is tapered. 
     
     
         10 . The sealer applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one trigger initiates a timing cycle upon detection of the container by the at least one trigger. 
     
     
         11 . The sealer applicator of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (1) a second guide surface located adjacent the first guide surface;   (2) a second applicator assembly disposed between the first and second guide surfaces; and   (3) a second trigger in communication with the second applicator assembly and configured to reciprocate the second applicator between the OFF and ON states when the second trigger is actuated by a container.   
     
     
         12 . The sealer applicator of  claim 11 , further comprising a third trigger disposed between the second guide surface and a third guide surface, the third trigger adapted to reciprocate at least one of the plurality of applicator assemblies between the OFF and ON states when the third trigger is actuated. 
     
     
         13 . A sealer applicator for a fiberboard container assembler, the sealer applicator comprising:
 (a) a housing defining a plurality of guide surfaces;   (b) a plurality of applicator assemblies associated with the housing; and   (c) at least one sensor in communication with the plurality of applicator assemblies, the at least one sensor adapted to reciprocate the plurality of applicator assemblies between an ON state, wherein each of the applicator assemblies apply a closure material to a container, and an OFF state when the least one sensor senses the container.   
     
     
         14 . The sealer applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one senor initiates a timing cycle upon detection of the container by the sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The sealer applicator of  claim 13 , further comprising a second sensor disposed within the housing and spaced from the at least one sensor such that at least one of the plurality of applicator assemblies is disposed between the at least one sensor and the second sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The sealer applicator of  claim 15 , further comprising a third sensor disposed in the housing and positioned within the housing to actuate at least one of the plurality of applicator assemblies when the third sensor senses the container. 
     
     
         17 . The sealer applicator of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of applicator assemblies apply an adhesive when actuated into the ON state. 
     
     
         18 . A sealer applicator for a fiberboard container assembler, the sealer applicator comprising:
 (a) a housing;   (b) at least three applicator assemblies associated with the housing;   (c) a plurality of sensors disposed within the housing and in separate communication with the at least three applicator assemblies, the plurality of sensors positioned to independently actuate at least one of the three applicator assemblies into an ON state, wherein the at least one applicator assembly applies a closure material to a container when the container is sensed by at least one of the plurality of sensors; and   (d) a guider surface formed in the housing and positioned to position a portion of the container within the housing.   
     
     
         19 . The sealer applicator of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of sensors initiates a timing cycle upon detection of the container by the at least one of the plurality of sensors.