Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for reliably folding the protruding end flaps of an article filled package against the body of the package and for then securing the end flaps to the package. The apparatus includes a package gripping feed conveyor optionally having a reject mechanism therein. The gripping conveyor receives a line of packages from a wrapping machine and feeds these into pusher flights of a transverse conveying system. The reject mechanism can be manually or automatically actuated and de-actuated to reject defective product and/or packages. The feed conveyor maintains control of the nonrejected packages only until the forward end of each of the packages moves against or near an abutment in a transfer section which urges the forward flaps downwardly as the packages are moved upwardly and transversly out of the transfer section over a plate by the then arcuately moving pushers of a transverse flap folding conveyor which subsequently folds and seals both end flaps against the body of the associated packages. The pushers move the completed packages horizontally along a package supporting plate which extends beyond the discharge end of the folding conveyor for accommodating a plurality of abutting packages as the pushers move downwardly below the support plate. Adjustment means are provided to adjust the feed conveyor and flap folding conveyor to accommodate packages of different widths and lengths.

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First Claim