Abstract: Apparatus and a packaging machine comprising apparatus for placing packaging material in a pre-determined position relative to an array of articles for example bottles to be packaged, comprising a conveyor for conveying an array of articles, feed means for feeding the packaging material from a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the articles. The feed means accelerates the packaging material to a sufficient velocity relative to the velocity of the articles such that the packaging material is placed in the pre-determined position whilst continuous forward motion of the articles is maintained.

Abstract: A packaging machine for loading a plurality of articles into a carton which mechanism comprises carton erecting means for part erecting said carton to define a first article receiving cell, means for selecting a group of articles comprising at least two articles, means for separating said grouped articles from an adjacent like group of articles, means for loading said grouped articles into said first article receiving cell through an open end thereof in the packaging carton and a means for completing the construction of the carton. There also comprises a mechanism for forming a carton including a pair of article receiving cells comprising complementary die members, each said die member being mounted to a rotating wheel wherein each said complementing die member is adapted to interengage when a blank is positioned between the two members, such that said die members cause the blank to be folded to define said article receiving cells.

Abstract: Apparatus and a packaging machine comprising apparatus for placing packaging material in a pre-determined position relative to an array of articles for example bottles to be packaged, comprising a conveyor for conveying an array of articles, feed means for feeding the packaging material from a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the articles. The feed means accelerates the packaging material to a sufficient velocity relative to the velocity of the articles such that the packaging material is placed in the pre-determined position whilst continuous forward motion of the articles is maintained.

Abstract: Apparatus to tighten opposed ends of a wraparound carton around an article in a stream of articles of variable size during continuous forward movement, the apparatus comprising one or more panel engaging elements to engage one end panel of the carton, a guide assembly to guide the engaged end panel into overlapping relationship with the opposed end panel held by the apparatus, and tightening device for tightening the carton panels around the article.

Abstract: A device is used in a machine for packaging articles in a wraparound carrier. The carrier is formed from a blank having a pair of foldable flaps struck therefrom. The packaging machine is arranged to advance the blank and articles associated therewith along a predetermined path. The device is positioned along the path to fold the flaps inwardly of the blank. The device includes a rotational disc defining an axis of rotation, a fixed cam plate disposed adjacent to the rotational disc and having an endless cam track disposed around the axis, drive means for rotating the rotational disc about the axis in synchronization with movement of the blank and the articles, a pair of blank-engaging fingers carried by the rotational disc for pivotal movement about respective pins so as to engage the flaps, and an actuating mechanism carried by the rotational disc to pivotally move the fingers away from each other and toward each other.

Abstract: A flap-folding device for use in a packaging machine comprises a rotational disc, drive means for rotating the disc in synchronization with movement of a blank and articles to be packaged in the blank, a pair of blank-engaging fingers pivotally mounted on the disc to fold flaps on the blank, and actuating means for pivotally moving the fingers. The actuating means comprises a radial member mounted on the disc for reciprocating movement along the radius of the disc, cooperating means for moving the radial member along the radius in response to rotation of the disc, and means for converting reciprocating movement of the radial member into pivotal movement of the fingers.

Abstract: A cam assembly comprises a cam plate having formed therein deeper and shallower cam tracks, a first cam follower for movement within the deeper cam track, a second cam follower for movement within the deeper and shallower cam tracks, and a drive mechanism for moving the first and second cam followers with respect to the cam tracks. The cam followers are connected to an article pick-up member. The deeper cam track includes portions engaged sequentially by the first cam follower, and the shallower cam track includes portions engaged sequentially by the second cam follower. The article pick-up member is caused to move to an outwardly extended position and to an inwardly retracted position respectively, relative to the central axis of the cam plate. The article pick-up member is also caused to move through both a like-rotational and a counter-rotational path with regard to the direction of rotation of the drive mechanism.