Abstract: A method of changing article pitch. The method can comprise receiving a series of articles arranged at a first pitch, engaging the articles of the series of articles sequentially with a gripper wheel, moving the articles along a path of travel with the gripper wheel, and moving the articles relative to one another from the first pitch to a second pitch during the moving the articles along the path of travel with the gripper wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for applying tags with attached elastic anchor bands onto the tops of objects such as bottles in a high speed packaging application. The apparatus includes an infeed assembly for feeding a web, a conveyor assembly that receives a web and conveys it along a path in an upstream direction, a rotating selector wheel, a placement assembly, a pair of rotating jaw assembles, a vacuum cup of the selector wheel, and stretched elastic bands over the tops of respective bottles being conveyed along a path below the placing assembly. The elastic bands then snap onto the tops of their respective bottles to secure the tags to the bottles.

Abstract: A method of processing a blank for forming a construct includes obtaining the blank, the blank including a flexible material and is for being formed into a construct. The method also includes moving the blank in a downstream direction on a first guide and a second guide, and pressing an interior region of the blank with a shaping apparatus in a direction transverse to the machine direction as the blank moves in the downstream direction and as a peripheral region of the blank is engaged by at least one shaping bracket.

Abstract: A carton for holding at least one article includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels includes a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least one side panel, and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps includes at least one top end flap foldably connected to the top panel. The at least one top end flap is upwardly folded relative to the top panel to at least partially maintain a closed configuration of the carton in which the top panel is recessed below a portion of each of the front panel, the back panel, and the at least one side panel to form a recessed top portion for receiving a portion of a vertically adjacent carton.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a top panel having a plurality of container retention openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel at a fold line, and at least one reinforcement panel interrupting the fold line and positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap.

Abstract: A method of sealing reinforced packages. The method can comprise moving an open-ended package in a downstream direction on a package conveyor by engaging the open-ended package with a chain flight of the package conveyor moving in the downstream direction. The method further can comprise forming a bag with a closed end by engaging at least a seal portion of a tail section of an open-ended tube portion of the open-ended package between the chain flight of the package conveyor and a hot plate positioned adjacent the package conveyor. The chain flight can move with the tail section in the downstream direction relative to the hot plate, which can transfer thermal energy to the tail section to at least partially form a seal along the seal portion in the tail section to at least partially form the closed end of the bag.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a top panel comprising a plurality of container retention openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel, the top panel comprises at least one container retention tab positioned adjacent a respective container retention opening and foldably connected to the top panel at a respective fold line, at least one side reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap, and the top panel comprises at least one reinforcement portion extending from the respective fold line.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels including at least one central panel, at least one attachment panel, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, the at least one attachment panel configured receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, and at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the at least one attachment panel and the at least one top panel. The at least one central panel is for being positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.

Abstract: A container for supporting a food product includes a tray and a liner. The tray includes a plurality of panels at least extending at least partially around an interior of the tray, the plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, at least one side panel, at least one end panel, and at least one corner panel. The liner includes a central panel and at least one marginal panel each foldably connected to a gusset. The container is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the at least one end panel and the at least one corner panel are in generally planar overlying relation with the respective bottom panel and the at least one side panel, with the liner positioned therebetween and with the gusset in a folded arrangement, and a second configuration in which the at least one side panel, the at least one end panel, and the at least one corner panel are generally upright relative to the bottom panel with the gusset in an expanded arrangement.

Abstract: A container for holding a food product. The container can comprise a flange comprising a central panel. An opening can extend in the central panel. The container further can comprise a sidewall comprising at least a panel foldably connected to the central panel and a denesting feature extending outwardly from the sidewall. The denesting feature can be for engaging a nested container positioned below the container in a stacked arrangement and for forming a denesting gap between the flange and the nested container.

Abstract: A packaging machine for placing articles into a carton includes rotating flight assemblies that receive a carton or carton blank, and rotate the carton blank and carton with articles while the flight assemblies move downstream. The flight assemblies each include two fixed segments and one segment that includes a block and associated bracket that rotate as the flight assembly is pulled through the machine by a conveying system. A method includes carton blanks being fed by a carton feeder onto the flight assemblies. Articles are formed into an article group, which is then placed onto a carton blank. As the blank and article group move in a downstream direction, the side panels of the carton blank are wrapped around the article group and the carton and article group are rotated to assist in closing the carton end flaps.

Abstract: A blank for being formed into a container. The blank has a marginal area that includes a plurality of score lines for facilitating forming of the blank into the container. The score lines are positioned to facilitate formation of the container. A forming tool has features to facilitate forming the blank into the container.

Abstract: A carrier for holding one or more products. The carrier can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carrier, the plurality of panels comprising at least a front panel and a side panel. A central panel can at least partially divide the interior of the carrier into a front portion and a back portion. The side panel can extend at least partially from the front panel to the central panel. A lid can at least partially close a top of the carrier.