Packaging machine with gluing station and folding station
An apparatus for forming an end closure structure of a carton. The end closure structure is formed from minor end flaps and major end flaps. The apparatus includes a carton conveyor for transferring the carton in a flow direction along a carton conveyor path, a major end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the major end flaps in an outwardly upright position, a minor end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the minor end flaps in an inwardly folded position, and a gluing station for applying adhesive to the major and minor end flaps.
1. An apparatus for forming an end closure structure of a tubular carton that travels in a flow direction along a carton conveyor path, the end closure structure being formed from at least a minor end flap and a major end flap, the apparatus comprising:
a major end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the major end flap in an outwardly upright position, said major end flap retaining guide assembly comprising a transversely moveable major end flap guide;
a minor end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the minor end flap in an inwardly folded position; and
a gluing station for applying adhesive to at least one of the major and minor end flaps, the gluing station comprising:
a vertical support member; and
at least one glue gun that is positionable along the length of the vertical support member.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one glue gun is positionable above a top wall of the tubular carton.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one glue gun is positionable below a bottom wall of the tubular carton.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a controller for activating or deactivating said at least one glue gun according to a selected folding sequence.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said major end flap retaining guide assembly further comprises a longitudinally fixed major end flap guide and a longitudinally adjustable major end flap guide.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transversely movable major end flap guide is slidably attached to said vertical support member.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising an upper major end flap retaining guide assembly and a lower major end flap retaining guide assembly.