Active compression adhesive packaging method and apparatus

Abstract

A method and system for packaging products in a container employs an active compression assembly having pressure members which are shifted from a raised position to a lowered operational position. In the operational position, each pressure member holds a respective upper container flap against a lower container flap while an interposed adhesive sets. More specifically, with the at least one pressure member pushing upon the upper flaps, both the container and the at least one pressure member are forced to move in unison along a manufacturing line while the at least one pressure member applies pressure on the upper flaps as the adhesive sets to seal the upper flaps to the lower flaps and close the upper opening.

1 . A method of packaging products comprising:
 directing a container, defining a compartment with an upper opening which can be closed by folding upper and lower flaps, along a manufacturing line;   positioning a plurality of products in the compartment of the container;   folding a lower flap over a portion of the upper opening;   folding an upper flap upon the lower flap with adhesive there between;   shifting at least one pressure member of an active compression assembly from a home position spaced from the upper flap to an operational position against the upper flap;   directing both the container and the at least one pressure member to move in unison along the manufacturing line while the at least one pressure member applies pressure on the upper flap as the adhesive sets to close the upper opening; and   shifting the at least one pressure member away from the upper flap and moving the active compression assembly back to the home position for use in closing a subsequent container.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is applied to the lower flap following the folding of the lower flap and prior to the folding of the upper flap upon the lower flap. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein shifting the at least one pressure member comprises moving a plurality of spaced fingers into engagement with the upper flap. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of spaced fingers are vertically shifted into engagement with the upper flap. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: selectively adjusting a spacing between the plurality of spaced fingers. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: resiliently biasing the plurality of spaced fingers into engagement with the upper flap. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: shifting a leader member into a ready position for engagement with a frontal portion of the container to assure that both the container and the at least one pressure member move in unison along the manufacturing line. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising: pivoting the leader member from a retracted position to the ready position. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: linearly guiding the at least one pressure member along a track while both the container and the at least one pressure member move in unison along the manufacturing line. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the plurality of products in the compartment of the container constitutes loading the container with sealed packages having headspaces such that the sealed packages do not provide any significant back pressure to the upper and lower flaps when closing the container. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein closing the container constitutes sealing a cardboard box. 
     
     
         12 . A system for closing an upper opening of a container defining a compartment in which is positioned a plurality of products, the system comprising:
 at least one pressure member;   a first mechanism drivingly connected to the at least on pressure member of an active compression assembly for moving the at least one pressure member from a first position spaced from the container to a second, operational position wherein the at least one pressure member engages an upper flap of the container to force the upper flap towards a lower flap of the container with an adhesive there between; and   a second mechanism connected to the at least one pressure member and causing both the container and the at least one pressure member to move in unison along a manufacturing line while the at least one pressure member applies pressure on the upper flap as the adhesive sets to close the upper opening, wherein the first mechanism can reposition the at least one pressure member away from the upper flap and the second mechanism can move the active compression assembly back to a home position for use in closing a subsequent container.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one pressure member comprises a plurality of spaced fingers. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first mechanism shifts the plurality of spaced fingers vertically into engagement with the upper flap. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the active compression assembly includes first and second, adjustably connected plates, wherein at least one of the plurality of spaced fingers is attached to the first plate and another of the plurality of spaced fingers is attached to the second plate, said second plate being adjustably attached to the first plate to vary spacings between the plurality of spaced fingers. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of spaced fingers is formed of a resilient material. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the active compression assembly further comprises a leader member mounted for movement between a ready position for engagement with a frontal portion of the container and a non-engaging, retracted position. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the leader member is pivotable between the ready and retracted positions. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising: a sensor for sensing the frontal portion of the container at a predetermined location along the manufacturing line, with movement of the leader member being dependent on the frontal portion being sensed. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising: a sensor for sensing a position of the active compression assembly along the manufacturing line, with movement of the second mechanism back to the home position being dependent on the position of the active compression assembly. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the active compression assembly includes a track member, said at least one pressure member being mounted for linear movement along the track member. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the container constitutes a cardboard box and each of the products is constituted by a sealed package including a headspace.