RANDOM CARTON SEALING MACHINE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the fields of sealing of cartons. The present invention specifically relates to a random carton sealing machine for accommodating and sealing different dimensional cartons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the packaging industry, corrugated and fiberboard cartons have been used for many years. Various carton sealing machines have been developed which are capable of sealing such cartons by applying a strip of self-adhesive tape material. In particular, the carton sealing machines are widely used in industries like, but not limited to white goods, textiles, foodstuffs, general, merchandise, medicine and chemical industries, domestic appliance such as refrigerator, washing machine, TV, etc. The carton sealing machine adopts adhesive tape to seal carton, fast and economical and easily adjustable. The carton sealing machine can be used either independently or as a necessary apparatus to a production line.

Many of the conventional carton sealing machines are designed and limited to accept cartons of specific width and height. With respect to the conventional carton sealing machines, it is not adaptable and suitable to accommodate various cartons having different dimensions, in particular taller cartons. It is necessary to use different carton sealing machines for accommodating and sealing different dimensional cartons, and also requires human interference to seal such cartons. Thus, the arrangement of conventional sealing machines result in less rigidity for higher output and high consumable cost.

Moreover, the conventional sealing machines are not provided with top squeezing mechanism, dedicated carton centering module, bypass option and special programming option for smaller and taller cartons taping. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a random carton sealing machine, which is capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a random carton sealing machine, which is capable of accommodating and sealing different dimensional cartons without the need of human interference.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a random carton sealing machine, which achieves high through put at less consumable cost and also avoids gap between flaps of the cartons.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a random carton sealing machine, which is compact and simple in construction.

According to one aspect, the present invention, which achieves the objectives, relates to a random carton sealing machine for accommodating and sealing different dimensional cartons, comprising a main conveyor assembled with a set of rolling units for conveying cartons to be sealed into the carton sealing machine. A set of column assemblies is attached to either sides of the main conveyor, where each column assembly is arranged with a set of guiding members. At least one movable frame assembly is assembled with a tape head assembly, at least one first drive assembly and a set of squeezing assemblies.

The movable frame assembly is associated with the guiding members of the column assemblies in such a way that the movable frame assembly along with the tape head assembly, the first drive assembly and the squeezing assemblies is slidable upwardly and downwardly on the column assemblies, and positioned with respect to the main conveyor in accordance with dimension of the cartons to be sealed. Thus, the machine facilitates sealing of different dimensional cartons, especially taller cartons without the need of human interference, which results in high through put at less consumable cost.

Furthermore, a set of second drive assemblies is operably mounted on the main conveyor for sidewise movement of the cartons to be sealed. The second drive assemblies are assembled with a set of rolling units and movable with respect to one another. The random carton sealing machine is mounted on a main frame assembly that is fixed to the ground for supporting the carton sealing machine. The machine also comprises a control unit that is attached to the main frame assembly. The control unit is electrically connected to each component of the carton sealing machine. The control unit is configured with a PLC based programming logic for synchronously driving and controlling each component of the carton sealing machine in accordance with dimension of the cartons to be sealed. The control unit is configured to control sliding movement of the movable frame assembly on the guiding members of the column assemblies with the help of pneumatic cylinders and linear motion bearings.

In addition, a centering conveyor with a set of centering guides is placed in front of the carton sealing machine. The centering conveyor is associated with the main conveyor for centering the cartons by adjusting the centering guides before the cartons pass into the main conveyor of the carton sealing machine. The squeezing assemblies are assembled with a set of rolling units, and synchronously operated by the control unit for uniform squeezing of the cartons. The tape head assembly is arranged with a tape reel and a set of tape application rollers for taping the carton by applying a strip of self-adhesive tape material. The first drive assembly is assembled with a set of rolling units to bypass and displace the cartons. The movement of first drive assembly is controlled by the control unit to rest the first drive assembly on the cartons while taping the cartons.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be discussed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying Figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a random carton sealing machine with a centering conveyor, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the random carton sealing machine, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the random carton sealing machine with the centering conveyor, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view depicting two different positions of side drive assemblies of the random carton sealing machine, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic view of a random carton sealing machine with a centering conveyor (200) is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The random carton sealing machine is utilized in a packaging industry, especially for white goods, and specially designed for sealing or taping of different dimensional cartons, particularly taller cartons. The random carton sealing machine can also be referred as taping machine. The cartons include, but it is not limited to corrugated cartons and fiberboard cartons. The random carton sealing machine is configured to tape the cartons by applying a strip of self-adhesive tape material. The random carton sealing machine of the present invention is assembled with a main frame assembly (10), a main conveyor (20), a movable frame assembly (50), a tape head assembly (70), a first drive assembly (60), a set of column assemblies (40), a set of second drive assemblies (30), a set of squeezing assemblies (80), a centering conveyor (200) and a control unit or panel (100). The random carton sealing machine can be mounted on the main frame assembly (10), where the main frame assembly (10) is fixed to the ground for supporting the carton sealing machine. The main frame assembly (10) acts as a mounting structure for the carton sealing machine to withstand the entire load of the carton sealing machine along with the cartons.

The main conveyor (20) is assembled with a set of rolling units (22) and is attached to the main frame assembly (10) for conveying cartons to be sealed into the carton sealing machine. The column assemblies (40) are attached to either sides of the main conveyor (20) and the main frame assembly (10). Each column assembly (40) is arranged with a set of guiding members or rods (42). The movable frame assembly (50) is assembled with the tape head assembly (70), the first drive assembly (60) and the squeezing assemblies (80). The movable frame assembly (50) is operated to be located on upper side of the sealing machine. The tape head assembly (70) is arranged with a tape reel (72) for to facilitate taping on top side of cartons, where the tape reel (72) is rolled with a strip of self-adhesive tape material. While actuating the tape head assembly (70), the tape reel (72) releases the tape material to the tape head assembly (70). The tape is applied on the cartons by means of tape application rollers (74) that are attached to the tape head assembly (70). The tape application rollers (74) make enough pressure on the tape while applying the tape on the cartons, which ensures proper sealing of the tape against the cartons.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, front and top views of the random carton sealing machine are respectively illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The movable frame assembly (50) is associated with the guiding members (42) of the column assemblies (40) in such a way that the movable frame assembly (50) along with the tape head assembly (70), the first drive assembly (60) and the squeezing assemblies (80) is slidable upwardly and downwardly on the guiding members (42) of the column assemblies (40). While taping the cartons in the sealing machine, the movable frame assembly (50) can be positioned with respect to the main conveyor (20) in accordance with dimension of the cartons. The second drive assemblies (30) are operably mounted on the main conveyor (20) for sidewise movement of the cartons. The second drive assemblies (30) are assembled and organized with a set of rolling units (32), where the second drive assemblies (30) are movable with respect to one another, as shown in FIG. 4, which illustrates a top view depicting two different positions of the side drive assemblies of the random carton sealing machine, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The movement of second drive assemblies (30) and its rolling units (32) are controlled by the control unit (100). The second drive assemblies (30) can also be referred as side drive assemblies, since the second drive assemblies (30) drive the cartons from its side surface.

Furthermore, the control unit (100) is attached to the main frame assembly (10). The control unit (100) is electrically connected to each component of the carton sealing machine. The control unit (100) is configured with a PLC based programming logic for synchronously driving and controlling each component (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90) of the carton sealing machine in accordance with dimension of the cartons to be sealed. The control unit (100) is configured to control sliding movement of the movable frame assembly (50) on the guiding members (42) of the column assemblies (40) with the help of pneumatic cylinders and linear motion bearings.

The squeezing assemblies (80) are assembled with a set of rolling units (82) that are organized together for squeezing and conveying the cartons. The squeezing assemblies (80) are synchronously operated by the control unit (100) for uniform squeezing of the cartons. The squeezing assemblies (80) are movable with respect to one another. The first drive assembly (60) is assembled with a set of rolling units (62) that are organized together to bypass and displace the cartons. The movement of first drive assembly (60) and its rolling units (62) are controlled by the control unit (100), where the first drive assembly (60) is operated to rest on the cartons while taping the cartons. The first drive assembly (60) can also be referred as top drive assembly, since the first drive assembly (60) drives the cartons from its upper side. The tape head assembly (70), the first drive assembly (60) and the squeezing assemblies (80) are mounted on the movable frame assembly (50).

More specifically, the sealing machine of the present invention facilitates by-passing of the cartons using the first drive assembly (60) and avoids cross taping of the cartons with the help of the squeezing assemblies (80) as it provides uniform squeezing of the cartons. Since the sealing machine is arranged with synchronized bottom, side and top drives, smooth travel of the cartons is achieved inside the sealing machine, where the main conveyor (20), the second drive assemblies (30) and the first drive assembly (60) respectively act as bottom, side and top drives for the sealing machine. Moreover, the sealing machine is associated with a PLC based programming logic with 24VDC control voltage and a special programming logic for smaller cartons to provide higher out put. Thus, the sealing machine provides high through put of 5-6 cartons/min. Such arrangement of the random carton sealing machine facilitates sealing of different dimensional cartons, especially taller cartons without the need of human interference, which results in high through put at less consumable cost. For example, the categorization of different dimensions of the carton sealing machine at different carton sizes are shown in the below tabular column.

The random sealing machine can be integrated with the centering conveyor (200). In particular, the centering conveyor (200) and the sealing machine are made as separate modules, which can be integrated in a conveyor line. The centering conveyor (200) is placed in front of the carton sealing machine to prevent backlash of the cartons. The centering conveyor (200) is associated with the main conveyor (20) for centering the cartons before passing the cartons into the main conveyor (20) of the carton sealing machine. The centering conveyor (200) is composed of a set of rolling units (220) and a set of centering guides (210) with a guide rollers (212), which are operated and controlled by the control unit (100) for centering and conveying the cartons to the sealing machine.

The control unit (100) of the sealing machine is connected to an electrical panel (300) and a pneumatic box (310), which enables manual control and operation of the sealing machine by the user. All power and control cables of the sealing machine can be routed from the control unit (100) to each component of the sealing machine, so that the control unit (100) electrically and pneumatically controls operation of the main conveyor (20), the column assemblies (40), the movable frame assembly (50), the tape head assembly (70), the first drive assembly (60), the second drive assemblies (30), the squeezing assemblies (80) and the centering conveyor (200) by driving appropriate motors (90) connected to each component of the sealing machine. Also, the control unit (100) control movement and rotation of the rolling units (22) of the main conveyor (20), the tape reel (72) and the tape application rollers (74) of the tape head assembly (70), the rolling units (62) of the first drive assembly (60), the rolling units (32) of the second drive assemblies (30), the rolling units (82) of the squeezing assemblies (80) and the centering guides (210) of the centering conveyor (200).

Sequence of operation:

When the carton enters the centering conveyor (200), the carton gets centered and moves forward to the main conveyor (20) of the sealing machine. In the sealing machine, the cartons again get centered by the movement of side drive assemblies (30). Then, the top drive assembly (60) is operated to come down and rests on top of the carton, and the pneumatic synchronized squeezing assemblies (80) are operated to squeeze the carton uniformly and ensures taping on center of the carton. The cartons are moved through the sealing machine with the help of three drives, i.e. main conveyor (20), top drive assembly (60) and side drive assemblies (30). After taping the carton, the carton comes out from the taping or sealing machine. Thereafter, the movable frame assembly (50) and the first and second drive assemblies (60, 30) are returned to its initial position and ready for taping of next carton. Such random carton sealing machine is capable of accommodating taller cartons and tape centering on the cartons. The carton sealing machine can be integrated with random production line, which results in high through put and less consumable cost, i.e. saving in BOPP consumption. It also avoids gap between flaps of the cartons and the need of human interference.

The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only. It is evident to those skilled in the art that although the invention herein is described in terms of specific embodiments thereof, there exist numerous alternatives, modifications and variations of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof. Hence all variations, modifications and alternatives that falls within the broad scope of the appended claims comes under the gamut of the invention.

WE CLAIM:

1. A carton sealing machine for accommodating and sealing different
dimensional cartons, comprising:

a main conveyor assembled with a plurality of rolling units for conveying cartons to be sealed into the carton sealing machine;

a plurality of column assemblies attached to either sides of said main conveyor, each column assembly is arranged with a plurality of guiding members; and

at least one movable frame assembly assembled with a tape head assembly, at least one first drive assembly and a plurality of squeezing assemblies,

wherein said movable frame assembly associated with the guiding members of said column assemblies in such a way that said movable frame assembly along with said tape head assembly, said first drive assembly and said squeezing assemblies is slidable upwardly and downwardly on said column assemblies, and positioned with respect to said main conveyor in accordance with dimension of the cartons to be sealed.

2. The machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second drive assemblies operably mounted on said main conveyor for sidewise movement of the cartons to be sealed.

3. The machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second drive assemblies are assembled with a plurality of rolling units and movable with respect to one another.

4. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the random carton sealing machine is mounted on a main frame assembly that is fixed to the ground for supporting the carton sealing machine.

5. The machine as claimed in claims 1 and 4, further comprising a control unit attached to said main frame assembly, said control unit is electrically connected to each component of the carton sealing machine.

6. The machine as claimed in claims 1 and 5, wherein said control unit is configured with a PLC based programming logic for synchronously driving and controlling each component of the carton sealing machine in accordance with dimension of the cartons to be sealed.

7. The machine as claimed in claims 1 and 5, wherein said control unit is configured to control sliding movement of said movable frame assembly on the guiding members of said column assemblies with the help of pneumatic cylinders and linear motion bearings.

8. The machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a centering conveyor with a plurality of centering guides placed in front of the carton sealing machine, said centering conveyor is associated with said main conveyor for centering the cartons by adjusting the centering guides before the cartons pass into said main conveyor of the carton sealing machine.

9. The machine as claimed in claims 1 and 5, wherein said squeezing assemblies are assembled with a plurality of rolling units, and synchronously operated by said control unit for uniform squeezing of the cartons.

10. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tape head assembly is arranged with a tape reel and a plurality of tape application rollers for taping the carton by applying a strip of self-adhesive tape material.

11. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first drive assembly is assembled with a plurality of rolling units to bypass and displace the cartons.

12. The machine as claimed in claims 5 and 11, wherein the movement of
said first drive assembly is controlled by said control unit to rest said first drive assembly on the cartons while taping the cartons.