FIELD

The present disclosure relates to sealing of a carton box used for packaging. More particularly, disclosure is related to the tamper evident sealing of a packaging box, a process for sealing of boxes, and box sealing machine / apparatus.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to the field of sealing of corrugated cartons. These corrugated cartons also known as shipper boxes or Cases. Hereinafter, the word "carton", shipper boxes or Cases etc used for packaging of articles in the packaging industries shall be referred as "Box". The box may be in any shape like rectangular, square or cuboid etc. In particular, the present subject matter relates to sealing of these boxes in such a manner so that it can easily establish if sealed box has been tampered.

Boxes are used for packaging of articles, portability and transportation purposes. Use of boxes in the Industry is so important that almost each and every item need to be packed in a box for many reasons. Some of the reasons are intactness of the items inside box, stackabality, low cost, ease of transportation, flexibility of size and shape of boxes etc.

Boxes are sealed to prevent falling of articles contained there within and falling of the articles outside the packaged box when the packaged boxes are in transit. Further, reason is to avoid pilferage. One of the most common criteria for sealing of box is use of Self- Adhesive Tapes, or BOPP tapes also referred as biaxially oriented polypropylene tapes.

In transit of packed boxes, these sealing tapes can be removed or tampered to open the packed boxes so that the product(s) inside the packed boxes can be taken out (Pilferage). The tapes can be put back easily and without too much cost. The pilferage or the tampering of the box will not be evident to the receiver of the box.

Accordingly, there is a need for a sealing of box in such a manner, so that receiver easily understands or identify that the packed boxes have been tampered during the transit.

Self-adhesive tapes are used at the flaps of box to close and seal the box. But the vulnerability issue of removal of articles from the tape sealed box is very high as it is very easy to de-seal the boxes, remove the articles from the boxes and re-seal the boxes. The sealed and packed boxes when delivered to the end person (Receiver), it is difficult for a receiver to ascertain if the sealed and packed containers have been opened during the transit and inside articles have been stolen or replaced with the low quality product or with the duplicate or with the fake articles. This is because self-adhesive tapes can be easily removed / tampered by strangers to tamper the sealed boxes and re-taped so that there is no tampering evidence left on the packed and sealed boxes.

The other solution used for sealing of boxes in the industry is using Hot Melt Adhesives hereinafter referred as HMA to seal the flaps together. HMA is very costly compared to BOPP/ self-adhesive tapes. Further, application process for sealing through HMA requires high tech machines. Further, these HMA applying machines are time and energy consuming and requires high capital and operational costs. Furthermore, it is also not a one hundred percent successful tampering evident of sealed boxes. When you attempt to open the flaps, due to the adhesion between the flaps there is supposed to be fiber tear. However the drawback of this technique is that the hot melts does not pass through or travels through the fibrous pores of the paper and provide only surface bonding between the two flaps and by applying heat again (which is the carrier), one can detach the flaps / de-bond. Exposed to extreme heat conditions or freezing conditions the de-lamination or de-bonding can take place. The other disadvantage with Hot melts adhesive is that it also leave a gap between the two flaps that can allow dust to enter.

The other sealing process of boxes is using Water Based Adhesive hereinafter referred as WBA, which is cheaper than hot melts. The sealing of box using WBA provides a better tamper evident sealing system compared to hot melts and BOPP tapes. Further, WBA provides best fiber tear as the adhesive enters and travels through the fibrous pores of paper, unlike hot melt or tapes.WBA is less costly compared to the HMA sealing and sealing with the BOPP/ self-adhesive tape. Like hot melts, WBA also joins all the flaps of the box together, increasing the surface area to sustain the load and provides structural integrity to the box thereby protecting the products inside, better than tapes. But, the WBA takes time to become dry for making bonding between flaps to seal the box making it difficult to employ in productive environments.

Newer technologies like water activated tapes to do the seal will leave the evidence of tampering if an attempt for pilferage is made. However, these are expensive and complex technologies requiring higher capital and operational expenses. Also similar to self adhesive tapes, the sealing is only superficial or above the flaps and this method does not provide any structural integrity.

Hence, there is a need for an effective tamper evident sealing for the boxes that is fool proof and at the same time with lower operational costs. Accordingly present invention is tamper evident sealing of the boxes, sealing method, and sealing machine/ apparatus which alleviates the drawbacks associated with conventional sealing of the box.

SUMMARY

The present subject matter is directed towards tamper evident sealing of the boxes or sealing of the packed box.

In accordance the present disclosure, the invention comprises plurality of different embodiments, which are novel and inventive. Accordingly, the different embodiments of present invention are related to the Unity of Invention or single inventive concept.

In one of the embodiment, the box is sealed with at least one layer of Hot Melt

Adhesive and at least one layer of Water based Adhesive to obtain tamper evident sealing of a packaging box.

In another embodiment, the box is sealed with water based adhesive and self-adhesive tape to give tamper evident sealing of a packaging box.

In another embodiment, the box is sealed with at least one layer of Hot Melt

Adhesive, at least one layer of Water based Adhesive, and Self Adhesive Tape to obtain tamper evident sealing of a packaging box.

In another embodiment, the applying of water based adhesive through the nozzle applicator in controlled manner. It was the challenging task in term of technology development for dispensing the WBA in a controlled manner with different parameters. The disclosure is novel in respect of applying of water based adhesive through nozzle applicator to improve the productivity.

The uniqueness of the process according to a present invention is that for the first time ever, nozzle applicator are used to apply cold adhesive / water based adhesive on to flaps of boxes in a controlled manner and then immediately after this the boxes are either sealed using self-adhesive tapes or transported in the production line under pressure for some time till the water based adhesive is dried. The patent is applied for this processes that help in sealing of boxes using water based adhesive that provide better tamper evidence at the same time achieve the required productivity / speed.

OBJECTS

Objects of the present disclosure are listed below:

The invention involves using a suitable adhesive system to apply high viscosity/ high solids content water based adhesive (emulsion) to seal the box. The main object of the present disclosure is to provide sealed boxes which are tamperproof in relation of tamper evident.

The object of the present disclosure is to provide evidence of tampering, if sealed box is tampered.

The object of the present disclosure is to easily detect the tampering and judge the tampering of box quickly at the time of receiving.

The object of the present disclosure is to find the tampering of the box without specific tools or system.

The another object of the present disclosure is to provide a box sealing system that seals boxes such that any tampering with the seal is easily identified.

The object of the present disclosure is to provide a strong sealing of a box that will provide better structural integrity and hence better protection against damages in transit.

The another object of the present disclosure to provide a box sealing system and method for sealing of boxes

The another object of the present disclosure to provide a dispensing system of water based adhesive through the nozzle applicator for sealing box machine.

The another object of the present disclosure to provide a total cost effective system for sealing of the boxes so that it requires less labor, less time consuming and has less capital and operational costs requirement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will best be understood from the following description of various embodiments thereof, selected for the purposes of illustration, and shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box with flaps in unsealed form.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a box with flaps in before sealing position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a boxsealed manually by self adhesive tape.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a boxof tampering by desealing of the self adhesive tape. FIG. 5 and 6 are a perspective view of a boxas tamper evidence in accordance with present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of adhesive layers on a receving flaps of the box. FIGS. 8 and 9 are various views of box which have been tampered which were sealed by using the boxsealing system and method of the present disclosure; and

Figure 10 is a boxes supplied by the manufacturer for packaging and sealing the packed product.

REFERENCENUMERALS USED TO ILLUSTRATE THE DRAWINGS

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described in brief with reference to the accompanying drawings. Now, refer in more detail to the exemplary drawings for the purposes of illustrating non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure.

In view of background and objectives of the disclosure, the different solutions used to seal the packaging box in the industry. One of the best evident of tamper or pilferage of the sealed box is that sealing of the flaps in such a manner so that when anyone attempt to open or tamper the sealed flaps, the flaps should be tear itself or the fiber / paper layer of the flaps should tear.

In one of conventional manner of sealing of the box is the use of hot melt adhesives to seal the flaps together. The hot melt adhesive (HMA) is basically chemical material which is in solid form at normal temperature and pressure (NTP). The HMA material may be in powder, granular or in stick form and can be selected as per application of articles to be sealed. However the drawback of this technique is that the hot melts provide only surface bonding between the two flaps and by applying heat again (which is the carrier), we can detach the flaps / de-bond. Exposed to extreme heat conditions or freezing conditions the de-lamination or de-bonding can take place. So HMA sealed box do not tear the flaps or tear the fibre, if tampering made with the sealed box. Accordingly, uses of HMA alone do not leave any evidence of tampering of sealed box. This is the major disadvantage. Hot melts also leave a gap between the two flaps that can allow dust to enter.

The one way of sealing of the boxes comprises applying of different types of adhesives on the receiving flaps of the box during the process of sealing in the box sealing machine. One of the commonly used adhesive is a HMA in the box sealing machine.

In another conventional manner of sealing of the box is use of water based adhesive (WBA) or cold glue/ adhesive. WBA is cheaper than hot melts and also provide better bonding, and has resistance to extreme heat and cold. But sealing through it takes time to form, a strong bond. Contrary to HMA which remains on the surface and do not penetrate through pores of the box fiber, WBA being in water solvent penetrates through the pores of paper surface and after drying provides a bonding that is tamper evident. Any attempt to tamper or de-bond the sealing tears the flap bonded paper/fiber which as such can't be rebounded thus providing tamper evidence.

WBA sealing is cheap, more tamper evident features but drawback is that it requires time for drying of WBA. WBA have not been used in mechanized process lines or in box sealing machine or in process of sealing through the machine. That is what is the innovation is doing it by combining with a process that will give time for drying - plus give additional tamper evidence.

The present disclosure provides the solution related to the problem associate with drying time of WBA, which gives slow productivity and costly sealing process using separate devices to keep flap intact till WBA dries completely on the flap and make sealing bond strongly.

In another conventional manner of sealing of the box is use of the water activated tapes, when the tape is removed, it will either give strong fiber tear or leave a mark as can be seen. But some one can again paste another tape of exact width or more on top of that to hide it. Also this method, similar to other types of tapes is sealing only the exterior of the flaps and does not provide any structural integrity to the box, as the inside flaps will be lose within, unattached.

This disclosure in accordance with a present invention is providing an additional bonding of either hot melts or BOPP tapes used in conjunction with the water based adhesive / cold adhesive. This multiple sealing process provides tamper evidence which is not available in any other process, while keeping this much cheaper than processes like water activated tapes.

In accordance with present invention the box is sealed through multiple sealing - where WBA and tapes are used. The person who removes the tape again sees, to his surprise the box is still sealed and now this one is tough to open and will leave fiber tear inside the box on the flaps. So this way the combination of WBA + BOPP will be cheaper than hot melts and also extremely cost effective compared to WAT (water activated tape).

According to the present innovation one solution is providing an additional bonding of either hot melts or BOPP tapes used in conjunction with the water based adhesive / cold adhesive. This multiple sealing process provides tamper evidence which is not available in any other process, while keeping this much cheaper than processes like water activated tapes.

Further disclosure according to present invention is a solution, wherein user do not want packed items to be sealed with the self adhesive tape which might be violating the country law or industry law, or environment law etc.

The present disclosure discloses a sealed boxes, box sealing system and method for sealing of boxes such that any tampering with the seal is easily identified. Also, disclosure is related to the process of sealing of boxes and the said process comprises sealing of the boxes having advantages of faster sealing, requires minimum labour and said process is very economical. Generally, each box (100) has a plurality of flaps for enclosing at least one of the operative bottoms, the operative top, one or more of operative side(s).

Typically, each operative bottom and operative top have four flaps of which a first pair denoted and referred by receiving flaps of oppositely disposed flaps is closed first, and then the transversely disposed second pair is denoted and referred by closing flaps, of oppositely disposed flaps are positioned on the receiving flaps to form a seal of flaps there between.

In the present disclosure, the receiving flaps that receives the adhesive and the closing flaps, which positioned above receiving flap after applying of adhesive layers and then finally makes the boxes sealed.

The boxes can be sealed manually by applying the different types of adhesive on the receiving flaps or through the manually operated tools.

The boxes to be sealed through an box sealing machine are sealed by applying the different process of sealing.

In accordance with present invention, the WBA is applied through nozzle applicator process in the box sealing machine. As per the applicant to the best of his knowledge, no machine is available wherein the WBA is applied through nozzle applicator process in corrugated box sealing machine. The applying of WBA is challenge as lot of parameters are required to be controlled while applying WBA.

A Box Forming/ Erecting/ packing machines are also used in the process of sealing of the boxes. The boxes supplied by the manufacturers are stacked in a flat form as such (figure 10). These packaging machines have devices for picking each flat box, and forming tools to form a box by folding the flaps to give a shape of box (cuboid). The bottom flaps of the box will be closed and the top flaps of the box remain opened. The products filled from the top open end of the box, using manually or through the devices. Then these packed boxes sent to a box sealing machine as described above.

In accordance with present invention, a box sealing machine have a conveyor either side or top driven, for conveying the boxes from the feeding area to the sealing zone of the box sealing machine. There are many devices that can be added before and after such box sealing machines like centralizing, weighing, printing, label fixing and so on. A box sealing have box width measuring device at the entry point to box sealing zone. A box sealing machine also has a box centralizing mechanism at the point of entry. The packed box enters in the box sealing machine. This packed box placed in centralized position on the conveyor. The box now moves to the box sealing zone. The height of the box is sensed by the combination of mechanical and electronic sensors. While box moved to the sealing zone and stop for small time sealing, the length is also measured through the combination of mechanical and electronic sensors. The present invention is not claiming the technologies and means used for sensing width, height and length of the box to be sealed. The receiving flap of the top of box is closed by a plough and guide mechanism. A layer(s) of adhesive(s) are sprayed/ dispense on to the receiving flaps using a nozzle applicator. The type of adhesive to be dispensed is optional. Some of the adhesive used are HMA and WBA. The number of layers of adhesive(s) to be dispensed and apply on the flaps of the box is an optional. These layers on the receiving flap can be dispensed simultaneously or in order of sequence as programmed through the control system. Then closing flaps are also closed by a plough and guide mechanism. The adhesive dispensed on the receiving flaps sealed together with the closing flaps. The Box sealing machine also have option to apply self-adhesive tapes on the closing flaps of both top and bottom of the box.

The applying of Hot melt adhesive in the box sealing machines is known in art and conventionally used. A box sealing machine also has adhesive applying system in accordance with the present invention for applying the water based adhesive. The system consists of :

(a) Adhesive tank (of various capacities) with necessary gauges for holding the water based adhesive.

(b) Hose/pipe for moving the water based adhesive from the adhesive tank to the point of application

(c) Nozzle applicators /,

(d) Control system (PLC based electronic circuit) for the dispensing/ ejecting the adhesive The adhesive applying process comprises:

a) The WBA is poured into the adhesive tank. The adhesive is pumped through the hose to the nozzle applicator either using air pressure or motor driven pump,

b) Based on the length of the box, a layer(s) of adhesive to be dispensed on the receiving flaps of the box, the adhesive is dispensed in controller manner through the nozzle applicator.

c) This complete process makes the layers of adhesive (one line per nozzle applicator) on the receiving flaps of the boxes. The controller (electronically programmable circuit) also helps in selecting a pattern of spraying / applying adhesive.

A Pressing / Over-sealing mechanism is required for water based adhesive sealing of the boxes. The water-based adhesive sealing of boxes takes enough time for drying of WBA. Till WBA dries completely, receiving flap and closing flap keep intact. If the flaps are not kept intact under pressure, the sealing/ joint of flats will not strengthen enough for sealing purpose. This drying time may vary from 30 minutes to one hour. It further requires to put each adhesive box under pressure by putting load or through other mechanism. Further, adhesive and to form a bond varies from different types of adhesives, care should be taken to see that the bonding does not fall apart.

The most simplified and suitable solution for this technical problem is to apply self- adhesive tapes across the top and bottom of the box along its length, after applying the WBA and closing flaps sealed by adhesive. The application of tapes provide necessary pressure on the flaps to keep intact receiving flap and closing flaps, which were sealed through the water based adhesive. The tapes will seal the box completely while as the adhesive inside will provide the tamper evidence and also provide structural integrity to the box. The adhesive applying system so configured, along with either a case sealing machine or case forming/erecting/packing machine will provide a unique solution to the user to achieve tamper evident sealing of boxes. In accordance with present invention in one embodiment, the box sealing machine includes at least one nozzle (not illustrated in Figures) for controllably dispensing at least one layer(10 and 11) of water based adhesive on receiving flaps (12) of the boxes (10) to be sealed. The layer(s) (10 and 11) either can be continuous or non-continuous. The layer(s) (10 and 11) also can be in one line, zig-zag, spotted or any other like patterns. Further, the box sealing system includes a flaps handling unit (not illustrated in Figures) to position closing flaps (13) on receiving flaps (12) which have water based adhesive layered thereon.

In another embodiment, additionally, the box sealing machine is provided with at least one additional nozzle (not illustrated in Figures) that controllably dispenses at least one additional layer (11) of hot melt adhesive on receiving flaps (12) of the boxes to be sealed.The adhesive layer(s) (10, 11) either can be continuous or non-continuous. The adhesive layer(s) (10,1 le) also can be in one line, zig-zag, spotted or any other like patterns.

After the closing flaps are closed, at least one pressure introducer (not illustrated in Figures) which exerts pressure on closing flaps (13). The pressure on the closing flaps (13) enables the closing flaps (13) to be in touch with the receiving flaps (12) such that at least one layer (10) of water based adhesive provides an evidence of tampering of seal between closing flaps (13) and receiving flaps (12). The pressure introducer can be temporary or permanent. The temporary pressure introducer introduces pressure for a defined period of time such that the water based adhesive dries and seals the closing flaps (13) and receiving flaps (12). The permanent pressure introducer is a sealing element that seals the closing flaps (13) and hence increases pressure thereon.

In accordance of present invention, the mode of permanent pressure is a self- adhesive tape. The self-adhesive tape has advantageous purposes, firstly, applying pressure on the closing flaps (13) so that the closing flaps (13) is in touch with the receiving flaps (12) to form a seal there-between and, secondly, sealing the openings between the pair of closing flaps (13). The self-adhesive tapes are also applied in the box sealing machine and hence the process is fast.

Thus, the layers of water based adhesive (12), hot melt adhesive (13) and the permanent pressure introducer enables to form a tamper-evident seal. In case if a stranger attempts to tamper, an evidence can be achieved because of wear and tear of the box (100) as illustrated in Figures 8 and Figure 9, thus enabling the box sealing system to be more safe.

In accordance with one of the embodiment of present invention, a tamper evident sealing of a packaging box, the sealed box comprising: at least one receiving flap; a plurality of closing flaps; at least one type of adhesive used for sealing of the packaging box; a plurality of layer of adhesive(s) placed on the receiving flap(s); wherein said plurality of layers of adhesives have at least one layer of Water Based Adhesive (WBA) and at least one layer of Hot Melt Adhesive (HMA); wherein said closing flaps positioned on receiving flap(s) for sealing of the box through said adhesive layers; wherein said box sealed with plurality of layers of adhesive have at least one layer of WBA and at least one layer of HMA; to obtain tamper evident sealed box.

The said sealed box is obtained through a manual process or automated process including process of applying layer(s) of adhesive(s).

In accordance with another embodiment of present invention, a tamper evident sealing of a packaging box, the sealed packaging box comprising: at least one receiving flap; a plurality of closing flaps; at least one type of adhesive used for sealing of the packaging box; a plurality of layer of adhesive(s) placed on the receiving flap(s); wherein said plurality of layers of adhesives have at least one layer of Water Based Adhesive (WBA) and at least one layer of Hot Melt Adhesive (HMA); wherein said closing flaps positioned on receiving flap(s) for sealing of the box through said adhesive layers; wherein said box sealed with plurality of layers of adhesive have at least one layer of WBA and at least one layer of HMA; wherein said box is further sealed with Self Adhesive Tape on the sealed closing flaps of the box; to obtain tamper evident sealed box.

In accordance with another embodiment of present invention, a tamper evident sealing of a packaging box, the sealed box comprising: at least one receiving flap; a plurality of closing flaps; at least one layer of Water Based Adhesive (WBA) placed on the receiving flap(s); wherein said closing flaps positioned on receiving flap(s) for sealing of said box through said layer(s) of adhesive; wherein said box is further sealed with Self Adhesive Tape on the sealed closing flaps of the box; to obtain tamper evident sealed box.

In accordance with present invention, a box sealing machine for sealing of a box, said machine comprising:

• a conveyor for conveying a box to be sealed from the feeding area to the box sealing zone of a box sealing machine;

• a box centralizing devices at the point of entry of box sealing zone, to position a boxes at the central line of conveyor;

• optionally placing of sensing devices across the conveyor for measuring width, height and length of box to be sealed; • plurality of plough and guide mechanism to handle a flaps of the box, to close the pair of open flaps of the box;

• at least one adhesive tank of various capacities with necessary gauges for holding the adhesive(s);

• a plurality of Hose pipes to conduit the adhesive(s) from the adhesive tank(s) to the point of application of adhesive on the box;

• plurality of pumps to pump the adhesive(s) in the hose pipe;

• at least one nozzle applicators in the sealing zone configured and connected with the hose pipe, to dispense the adhesive on receiving flap(s) of the box in a controlled manner;

• Control system(s) (PLC based) for the control the different parameters i.e. timing of dispense of adhesive, duration of dispense of adhesive, quantity of adhesive(s);

• at least one pressure introducer to exert pressure on closing flaps such that a adhesive based seal being established between closing flaps and receiving flaps.

• heating mechanism to heat the adhesive as per the type of adhesive used;

• a system for applying Self Adhesive Tape on the closing flap in the sealing zone.

In accordance with present invention, the method for sealing a tamper evident box, said method comprising:

• Conveying the box to be sealed into the box sealing machine;

• Positioning of the box at central line of conveyor;

• Optionally sensing the width of the box, Sensing the length of the box, Sensing the height of the box if options available in the sealing machine;

• Closing the first pair of flap/ receiving flap;

• Dispensing the adhesive layer(s) on the first pair of flap/ receiving flap in a controlled manner through the control system, wherein adhesive layer(s) is/are hot met adhesive or water based adhesive layers(s) or combination of both;

• Closing the second pair of flap/ closing flaps over the receiving flaps;

• obtain the sealed box with the adhesive;

• optionally, applying the self adhesive tape over sealed closing flap on the sealed box for further tamper evident. The sealed box obtained by any of above embodiments in accordance of present disclosure can be made through a manual process or automated process including process of applying layer(s) of adhesive(s). The said layer(s) (10,11) of the adhesive(s) be in continuous or non-continuous pattern with different shapes including in- line, zig-zag, spotted, rounded or any like patterns.

The present disclosure discloses a method for sealing boxes (10). The method includes dispensing controllably at least one layer (10) of water based adhesive on receiving flaps (12) of the boxes (10) to be sealed through the at least one nozzle of the box sealing machine. Once the layer(s) (10) of water based adhesive are applied on the receiving flaps (12), the flap handling mechanism positions the closing flaps (13) on the receiving flaps (12). As soon as the closing flaps (13) is positioned on the receiving flaps (12), pressure is exerted by the at least one pressure introducer on closing flaps such that a tamper evident seal is established between closing flaps (13) and receiving flaps (12).

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may easily be produced in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The present embodiments is, therefore, to be considered as merely illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within therefore intended to be embraced therein. TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The system and method in accordance with the present disclosure has several technical advantages including but not limited to the realization of:

• a method of sealing the box, which gives clear evidence of tampering;

• a method of sealing done by combination of different adhesive at one place of sealing zone.

• a sealing process is faster as all sealing process brought at one common places of box sealing machine by solving technical challenges.

• a box sealing machine can work even without installation of electronic sensors for measuring the length, width and height of the box.

· a box sealing machine with concept of centralizing the box on conveyor and sensing by mechanical means only do the sealing activities by adhesive or/and self-adhesive tape. a box sealing system that seals boxes such that any tampering with the seal is easily identified;

a box sealing system that provides structural integrity to the box by joining all flaps together using the adhesive, thereby reducing damages in transit and

a box sealing system, method for sealing boxes gives advantages in terms of requires less labor, less time consuming and has less capital and operational costs requirement.