Abstract: An apparatus forms boxes with curved corners from a die-cut sheet. A forming matrix delimits a forming cavity by guides counterposed in pairs along two orthogonal axes. The guides define a die-cut sheet support plane. A forming head inserts inside the cavity to push the die-cut sheet to form a box. Vacuum gripping devices are arranged outside the cavity in opposite positions along the second axis and each grip from underneath the die-cut sheet to hold it on the support. Pusher devices are arranged outside and near one of the corners of the cavity. Each pusher device raises one side flap of the die-cut sheet from the support plane. An electronic control unit operates the main gripping devices, pusher devices and forming head according to the following sequence: actuating the gripping devices; actuating the pushers; deactivating the gripping devices; and inserting the forming head in the forming cavity.

Abstract: Work-saving improvements for food-process lines include (1) mounting alternate machines of a food process line on pivot hardware to speed up washing and maintenance operations, (2) mounting the machines on rolling riding gear in order to speed up the activities of building and re-building food process lines of a different series of machines, or (3) isolate the food process line in its own tunnel and hence its own climate-controlled atmosphere to reduce conflicts with running two food process lines side by side where one food process line is a source of air borne allergens.

Abstract: A transfer conveyor for food process lines is equipped with hardware to enable pivoting in place and other hardware to enable and reversible expansion and contraction of the transfer conveyor, or at least the upper, food-product carrying run of the endless conveyor belt therefor.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding tubular blanks to a packaging machine includes a collecting group (10) provided with a first gripping member (11), suitable to grip single flat-folded tubular blanks (2) at a first face, and an opening group (20) provided with a second gripping member (21), suitable to grip the blanks (2) at a second face. The collecting group (10) includes a drive mechanism (12, 15) provided with a first arm (12) tilting under control of motor members (5), and with a second arm (15), carrying the first gripping member (11), which is mounted tilting on the first arm (12), and which is axially slidable for imparting to the first gripping means (11) an alternated rototranslation motion. The opening group (20) includes support a structure (22) of the second gripping means (21) pivoted on said second arm (15) of the collecting group (10) and constrained to a pulling means (25).

Abstract: A carton for containing a product. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first end panel, a first side panel, a second end panel, and a second side panel. A plurality of end flaps is respectively foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels for closing an end of the carton. The plurality of end flaps comprises a first end flap foldably connected to the first side panel and a second end flap foldably connected to second side panel. The first end flap and the second end flap have cooperating features for interlocking engagement of the end flaps in a closed configuration of the carton.

Abstract: Several implementations of a fan folding mechanism for folding flaps of a case into a fan fold arrangement are disclosed and described. In one implementation, the fan folding mechanism comprises four shoes, arranged to allow one shoe to contact a flap on each of four sides of the case. A finger, carried by each of the four shoes is configured for movement between a retracted position and an extended position, such that in the retracted position, each finger is in contact with a leading corner of a different flap of the case and the flaps are in an open position and in the extended position, each finger is in contact with the same leading corner of the same flap, and the flap is in the closed position. Four suction cups, each configured for releasable attachment to a trailing corner of a flap, may inhibit contention between flaps.

Abstract: A folder system with an accordion spine 16, and a method of making same is disclosed. The folder may have a plurality of insert elements 52, 60 either at manufacture or by a stub system which are bound into the spine at the valleys 32 of the web which forms the spine. The web is made of outer zig-zag web 40, with the inner web 42, 44, 46 joining adjacent insert elements and the outer web, to create a strong spine of web and inserts.

Abstract: A carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and comprises a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. A plurality of end flaps are respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels and at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The plurality of end flaps can comprise a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel. A reinforcing insert can comprise a central panel, a reinforcing end flap, and a reinforcing side flap. The central panel at least partially overlaps the top panel, the reinforcing side flap is foldably connected to the central panel, and the reinforcing end flap comprises a proximal portion foldably, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion. The distal at least partially overlaps the top end flap.

Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the top panel, a bottom panel foldably connected to the first side panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and a corner reinforcement flap foldably connected to the top panel. A reinforcing insert comprises a central panel and at least one reinforcing side flap. The central panel can be at least partially in face-to-face contact with at least a portion of the top panel. A container-restraining structure comprises the corner reinforcement flap positioned to restrain at least one container of the plurality of containers that is adjacent the second side panel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus (10) for erecting cartons include a device (32) removing the upper carton (12) from a first stack of horizontally arranged cartons and pivots it to a vertical condition. The first stack is elevated by a lifting device (28) as the cartons are removed. A second stack is moved beneath the first stack when it reaches a hand-off elevation. A first connecting device (200) moves the removed carton from the vertical condition to in front of a planar plate (202) and a second connecting device (220). Suction cups (76) in a linear arrangement connect to the carton and are pivotally mounted to a pivotal transform arm (63) and move parallel to the planar plate (202). Tuckers (226, 228, 230) close the closure flaps of the carton, and a piece of tape is applied by a tape dispenser (236) thereover.

Abstract: An assembly device for plate elements such as sheets of paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard or similar material, for subsequent operation thereon in a processing machine. A feed station feeds elements to a positioning station for the plate elements. The positioning station for the plate elements includes a lower part equipped with first conveyors arranged side by side and an upper part including a second conveyor movable transversely with respect to the first conveyors. The second conveyor include grippers for the plate elements. The positioning station has a device for assembling the plate elements with respect to each other and an aligning device for longitudinally and transversely aligning the plate elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new machine for forming containers of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,939 without the use of glue or nails. The machine utilizes a mandrel movably mounted on a path for oscillation between retracted and extended positions. As the mandrel cycles forward, it first receives two synthetic sidewalls and then a deformable body panel of the container to be formed. Then a set of moveable upper and lower rockers containing unique pressure mechanisms press tabs on the horizontally oriented portion of the wrap into corresponding locking slots on the ends of the sidewalls. When the mandrel is fully extended, pressure is applied to the tabs on the vertically oriented middle section of the wrap using a pair of hinge-mounted pressure plates fitted with unique biased brackets. The resulting container is removed from the machine, which is then ready to begin another cycle.

Abstract: A tote box is comprised of a box structure having a bottom and upstanding side walls, each of the side walls having upper edges which form a top edge of the box structure. A top rail extends around the top edge of the box structure, the top rail having an open channel formed between a pair of channel walls, with the channel positioned over the top edge. An aperture is formed in at least one of said side walls of the box structure. A handle is positioned to engage the aperture in the side wall to form a handle for the box structure. The handle includes a flange extending along the side wall proximate the top edge, and a portion of the flange is positioned within the open channel of the top rail. A protruding structure extends from the flange and is configured to engage the top rail and secure the handle in the top rail and box structure.

Abstract: A tote box is disclosed which incorporates a box, four corner enhancers and a multiple piece top rail secured over the top edge of the erected walls of the box. The top rail comprises four corner pieces, two side pieces and two end pieces. The side and end pieces are secured onto the box by hooks which engage tabs extending outwardly from the walls of the box. The corner pieces of the top rail have projections adapted to engage holes in the side and end pieces of the top rail.

Abstract: A fastening device includes a cylindrical shell with an opening extending over the entire length of the cylindrical shell, a gripping member formed on the periphery of the cylindrical shell by extending outward and a pair of hooks linked with the tip end of the cylindrical shell via hinges. A fastening method using the foregoing fastening device includes the steps of passing the pair of hooks through a hole for fastening of a packing box formed of an upper box and a lower box, having the pair of hooks opened outward to bring the holding members thereof into contact with the back side surface of the packing box and at the same time having the pair of hooks engaged with each other firmly. At this time, the gripping member is in contact with the front side surface of the packing box. Accordingly, both surfaces located at each respective rim of the hole for fastening are sandwiched between the pair of hooks and the gripping member.

Abstract: A tote box is disclosed which incorporates a box, four corner enhancers and a top rail which is secured over the top edge of the erected walls of the box. The walls of the box are held together with the corner enhancers without the benefit of any mechanical fasteners such as rivets or the like. A multiple piece top rail is secured onto the box by hooks which engage tabs extending outwardly from the walls of the box. The top rail has a vertical lip which facilitates stacking multiple tote boxes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new machine for forming strong, durable and recyclable containers of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,939 without the use of glue or nails which are ready to be loaded, closed, stacked and shipped. The machine utilizes a mandrel movably mounted on a path between retracted and extended positions. As the mandrel cycles forward, it first receives two synthetic sidewalls of the container to be formed, which are firmly compressed against the sides of the mandrel as it moves forward. The mandrel next encounters the body panel or wrap of the container to be formed, said wrap including a plurality of tabs along the edges of its two longer sides which correspond to locking slots on the sidewalls. As the mandrel moves forward, it pushes into the middle of the wrap whereupon a set of plows and shoes bend the upper and lower portions of the wrap into a more horizontal orientation, leaving the middle of the wrap in a vertical position.

Abstract: Panel interlocking means secures together first and second panels in overlapping relationship. The first panel comprises a locking tab struck therefrom adjacent the free edge thereof The locking tab extends away from the free edge of the first panel and defines a first aperture in the first panel. The locking tab has a neck portion hinged at its base to the first panel and terminates in its shoulder portion. The second panel includes a second aperture struck therefrom adjacent the free edge thereof. The second aperture receives the locking tab such that when the panels are locked together, the free edge of the second panel is located along the locking tab between the base of the neck portion and the shoulder portion, and the locking tab is engaged with an edge of the first aperture.

Abstract: A base plate for a package to inhibit an object's inadvertent displacement when the plate and object are positioned within a shipping container. The plate is composed of a rectangular sheet of paperboard or sheet form material folded at least once, and preferably twice, both horizontally and vertically to form multiple sheets in superimposed, overlapping relation thereby creating a support or base plate. A longitudinally extending separation in the upper of the sheet form supports include a plurality of separations extending from opposite edges of the longitudinal separation to form cantilevered tabs extending from opposite sides of the separation. A recess in the lower sheet form support underlying the longitudinally extending separation permits deflection of the tabs into the recess when an object, such as a motor, is placed thereon to thereby partially capture, cradle and cushion the object upon the support plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that can erect a tray from a generally flat, rectangular blank. The tray erector incorporates an inventory section, a transfer section, a construction section and an exit section. The inventory section has a hopper with flanges and tab stops, which hopper stores an inventory of stacked, flat blanks that will eventually become the trays. In the transfer section, a blank is transferred from the inventory section to the construction section of the present erector. The construction section includes a setup assembly and a locking assembly. The setup assembly folds the pre-cut and scored end and side panels of the tray blank up into approximately perpendicular planes in relation to the plane of the bottom panel of the blank. The end and side panels are folded up from the plane of the bottom panel of the blank in preparation for the locking of the corner webs.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a universal packaging bag that has a window through which a component on a product can be visually perceived. The method provides for the bag to be used on differently designed bagging machines, such a right-handed bagging machine or a left-handed bagging machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the fabrication of a drum made of kraft paper according to which a sheet of kraft paper is rolled on a mandril so as to constitute a rotating cylindrical tube. The end of the tube which forms the bottom is rolled with more than one turn and receives a disk which constitutes the bottom of the drum. The disk is then placed on the ridge (8) formed by the rolled edge, and a retaining collar (10) is placed around the tube. The collar is then tightened to clamp the disk (3A) onto the tube.

Abstract: A skiving method comprises forming by milling, along an edge zone of a packaging blank comprised of a liquid-absorbent layer and at least two liquid-barrier layers thereon, a tongue, a recess inwardly of the tongue, a land inwardly of the recess, and a groove inwardly of the land, folding over the edge zone to insert the tongue into the groove, and sealing the edge zone to the remainder of the sheet material, preferably by mechanical pressure alone.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a shipping and display box of the type having diverter tabs that extend outwardly from the box walls is provided that has a guide plate for supporting a blank used for forming the shipping and display box, a catcher plate used for holding the blank on the forming apparatus, a diverter tab lever for extending the diverter tabs outwardly from the box walls, and an actuator for urging the diverter tab lever against the diverter tabs, the actuator allows the catcher plate to be released after the diverter tabs have been extended from the box walls so that the blank can be removed from the forming apparatus. A method of forming the blank into the shipping and display box is also described.

Abstract: A stackable tray is constructed of a bottom wall, a pair of end walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall, and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall and between the end walls. The end and side walls are preferably divergent in an upward direction. A pair of stacking support walls extend upwardly relative to the bottom wall, and are spaced slightly inwardly from the tray end walls. The stacking support walls are interconnected with the tray side walls. The side walls and stacking support walls are constructed of folded panels, and tabs are formed on the stacking support walls and on inner panels of the side walls, and the tabs of the stacking support walls and side walls function to interconnect the stacking support walls with the side walls upon folding of the stacking support wall panels and the side wall panels.

Abstract: A machine for erecting packing cases of a kind comprising two major and two minor sides and four base flaps foldable to form a base comprises supports for holding a folded flat case by its sides and for opening its sides to a rectangular form with the case at a first station, three sequentially operated flap folding elements arranged to fold three of the flaps into the base plane; and a traversable carriage having a guide arranged to engage the other flap as the carriage moves towards the case and to deflect that flap into the base plane in the required sequence.

Abstract: A carrier tape system includes an elongated base strip and an elongated cover strip both formed of a plastic film material. The cover strip is substantially coextensive in length with the base strip. The cover strip has a top surface and opposed sidewalls extending downwardly from the top surface. The opposed sidewalls are spaced apart from each other a distance substantially equal to the width of the base strip. The cover strip further includes a hump projecting upwardly from the top surface and extends longitudinally in a parallel relationship to the sidewalls. Each of the sidewalls has an inwardly extending hooked portion formed integrally therewith. The hooked portion has its top surface spaced beneath the edge of the base strip to form a U-shaped recess to secure the cover strip to the base strip. A mechanism for forming the carrier tape system is provided by making modifications to existing carrier tape joining apparatuses.

Abstract: A method of forming a basket-style carrier in which a securing strip (16d) provided at a free end portion of a base panel (16) of the carrier is inserted into a space (42) created between a side wall (14a) and partition panels (14d) associated therewith so that the securing strip is secured to an inner face of that side wall internally of the carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for locking a top of a case having an unlocked closing flap and L-slide lock slots for receiving opposite free end corners of the closing flap includes a closing flap securing device which provides a source of suction for detachably securing a top surface of a generally horizontal unlocked closing flap of a stationary case. Movement of the securing device from a generally horizontal position to a generally inclined position while secured to the closing flap first forms a longitudinal fold in the closing flap and positions the opposite free end corners of the closing flap adjacent respective L-slide lock slots. Subsequent movement of the securing device from the generally inclined position to the generally horizontal position then flattens the longitudinal fold and tucks the opposite free end corners of the closing flap into the respective L-slide lock slots to thereby lock the case.

Abstract: A rectangular tray-type carton formed from a blank of plastics-coated board has a peripheral flange for attachment of a closure lid. The flange is formed after the erection of the carton side wall in a punch and die arrangement, by folding down elongate panels carried along the free edges of the side wall and by subsequently joining the panels together at their ends by means of overlapping tabs which are heat-sealed together. In order to avoid damage to the tabs during formation of the side wall the uppermost tabs are folded out of the plane of the blank before it enters the punch and die arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically closing L-slide lock cases travelling with the lateral axis in the direction of travel and stopped intermittently for closing includes selectively positionable support rods for defining a fold line in an open flap, a flap fold member for folding the open flap over the support rods line and moving the top edge of the open flap adjacent the L-slide locks, and a flap tucking member operable on the folded open flap to slide it into the L-slide lock and flatten out the fold. Each of the members may be driven by cylinders in an appropriate sequential manner to accomplish these folding and tucking operations.

Abstract: This relates to a machine for assembling end units with container bodies. The container bodies have cylindrical open upper ends over which a cylindrical lower portion of an end unit or dome is telescoped with the overlapping portions being adhesively bonded together. The machine receives the end units serially and by way of a Ferris wheel type conveyor moves the end units first to an adhesive applicator where a band of adhesive is applied to the interior of each end unit, after which each end unit is then telescoped over and pressed into position relative to an associated body. The operation of the machine is continuous.