Abstract: This disclosure is of apparatus which picks up a plurality of tapered cups containing any of a variety of products, such cups being closed with lids or heat sealing, moves such cups as a unit in a vertical lift, and then deposits such cups as a unit in a vertical discharge into a tray.

Abstract: An automatic machine and method of operation for erecting a flat blank to form a completely folded container. The machine has a blank feed mechanism that stores flat blanks and transfers individual blanks using pressure-aided means to an infeed opening in the machine. A pressure-assisted receiver vertically movable within the machine ascends to engage the blank present at the in-feed opening and then draws the blank, including any articles to be packaged loaded during a pause at the infeed opening, downwardly into the machine past a series of folding members to partially erect the blank into a tray-like container. The container is now advanced in a horizontal direction along guide means and past another arrangement of folding members to further fold the blank to form a semi-erected container. An elevator positioned to receive the processed blank from the guide means raises the semi-erected container into a compression chamber to complete final folding operations.