Abstract: A carton engaging assembly for use in continuous motion packaging machines is designed to perform specific functions on a carton as it moves continuously along the path of travel through the packaging machine. The carton engaging assembly includes mechanisms for aligning the carton engaging device perpendicular to the carton's path of travel and to the carton side wall, so that the engaging device enters and exits the carton side wall along the substantially perpendicular line of travel. The carton engaging assembly is a self-contained, rotary unit which is readily interchanged with other units to facilitate engagement with various sizes and shapes of cartons. The rotational movement of the carton engaging assembly is timed with the continuous linear movement of the carton along the carton path of travel.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting carrying strips on a plurality of bottles, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a cardboard blank magazine having a number of interconnected vertical rods (1) adapted to be thrust down into perforated holes stamped out in the carrying strip, an extraction means (2) that draws the carrying strips out of the cardboard blank magazine and transfers them to a folding device, which folding device comprises a side folder (3) designed such that the side flaps of the carrying strip are folded up when the cardboard blank is pressed against a complementarily shaped mold (5), there being provided in the bottom of the side folder (3) a plurality of pointed members (4) that pre-bend/pierce the holes for the bottles, and top folders (6a, 6b) that fold the top flaps around the mold (5), a contraction device (8) that conducts the ready-folded carrying strips sideways into a top flap holder (7), a push-out device (9) that presses the ready-folded carrying strips out of the mold (5) and into a

Abstract: A machine for attaching handles to pairs of containers. The machine has a handle reservoir fixture for retaining a stack of handles adjacent to a container flow path. A vertically moveable handle insertion fixture is located above the container flow path for receiving a handle from the stack, delivering the handle to a pair of containers and securing the handle about neck of the containers. A pusher delivers the handle from the stack to the handle insertion fixture.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for packaging containers in a carrier in two rows, in which a first half carrier is formed from a first blank by bringing a bottom portion into a horizontal position, placing a first longitudinal wall portion perpendicularly thereto, folding two side wall portions and partition flaps cut from the first longitudinal wall portion into a position perpendicular to the first longitudinal wall portion, inserting containers between the side wall portions and the flaps and bringing a second longitudinal wall portion into a position parallel to the first longitudinal wall portion and connecting it with the side wall portions, after which, in a similar manner, a second half carrier with containers is formed from an identical blank and both half carriers are composed by connecting two corresponding longitudinal wall portions to form a carrier with two rows of containers. The blanks can be made with a minimum of waste material.

Abstract: A method to form and package stacked article groups utilizing flexible packaging materials. The method provides first and second streams of article groups which are directed to a supply of flexible packaging material, such as shrink or stretch film, to form stacked article groups.

Abstract: An arrangement of spacer means for positioning between articles such as containers comprises at least one spacer portion which is adapted to extend in an upstanding position in a substantially meander-like configuration as viewed in plan between the articles which are arranged in a row. The spacer portion can be formed by a process wherein a straight portion is introduced between two rows of articles, with the articles of one row being in displaced relationship with the articles of the other row. The two rows of articles are then moved together so as to constitute a common row, thereby deforming the straight portion into a portion of meander-like configuration extending between the articles for holding them in position.

Abstract: A package for a battery or other article, comprising a sheet of material bent or folded along a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines 21, 22, 25, 26 to define an upwardly extending substantially flat panel region 15, an upper end locating region 11 extending forwardly from the lower extremity of the said panel region, a first limb 3 extending obliquely downwardly and rearwardly from the forward extremity of the end locating region, a second limb 5 extending obliquely forwardly and downwardly and defining with the first limb a V-section channel region, a lower end locating region 13 extending rearwardly from the lower limb, and a rear panel region 17 extending upwardly from the rear extremity of the lower end locating region and secured to the first mentioned panel region 15.

Abstract: A rigid body in the form of a truncated cone is dimensioned to fit over the top of a container, such as a can with a beaded top, to allow the opening in a carrier comprised of stretchable or elastic material to be manually expanded by movement of the carrier down the side of the truncated cone, beyond the bottom of the truncated cone, allowing the opening to retract against the body of the container below the beaded top.

Abstract: Multicontainer packages are formed by longitudinally advancing a plurality of containers in a predetermined array having a predetermined transverse width through a packaging station underneath a flexible harness strip having a plurality of loops and positioning a thin and highly flexible film having a transverse width substantially greater than the transverse width of the array under the harness strip and above the array. Then the harness strip is pressed down on the film and the harness strip and film are pressed down on the containers in the station and to fit the loops over the respective containers while forming in the film at each container a pocket snugly engaging over the respective container and held tight around the respective container by the respective loop.

Abstract: An article clip packaging machine for applying carton members to the article rims of preselected article groups. The machine has a conveyor with an infeed end for receiving preselected article groups. At least two carton member feeding structures are synchronized with the conveyor for placing carton base and carton top members, respectively, on the preselected article groups. A securing assembly attaches the carton base and top members to the rims of the article groups to provide article group carriers.

Abstract: Capped bottles filled with a composition are loaded into pack carriers therefor in apparatus in which the bottles are conveyed in a continuous series in two spaced apart lines to respective metering starwheels, each with an associated application starwheel, and each starwheel with an associated retentive curved guide means along an arc thereof, at a loading zone while a continuous series of the pack carriers or clips are advanced on a conveyor between the bottle lines to the loading zone. At the loading zone the respective metering starwheels each move the bottles consecutively past the guide means to the associated application starwheel and the application starwheels are mutually spaced sufficiently close on either side of each pack carrier passing in between them to force successive bottles simultaneously from each line into the respective back to back pockets.

Abstract: A clip-type carrier is provided with an outer wrap having a top panel overlying and adhered to the support body of the carrier. Side panels of partial or full height are connected to the top panel of the outer wrap and either end panels or a bottom panel or both connect the side panels. Other package variations are formed by wrapping a plurality of carrier units together, including packages formed by wrapping stacked carrier units. The basic carrier unit may be formed in a first module or packaging station from which the units are sent by conveyor to one of a plurality of other wrapping modules, depending on the style of package desired.

Abstract: A recycling strip for holding, storing, toting, and returning empty recyclable plastic bottles, for instance, soft drink bottles. The strip has a plurality of collar holes distributed uniformly and unilinearly along the strip. The collar holes have a diameter sligthly larger than the outside diameter of a common plastic bottleneck. The collar holes have radial slits forming collars which enable a bottleneck flange to be engaged in the strip. The strip is then used for transporting engaged bottles and can be recycled with the bottles. The strip may be loaded in a dispenser which provides a convenient means of storing the strip. The dispenser also holds the strip securely so that a bottle may be engaged in the strip with a single one handed motion. Furthermore the dispenser provides an engagement mechanism, which aligns a collar hole in the strip with the collar openning of the dispenser and prevents the strip from uncontrolled travel out of the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention involves a tamper-proof apparatus and method for assuring the integrity of containers of consumer goods. A special carton, which becomes part of the retail display, has a plurality of controlled dispensing openings such that once a container has been removed, it cannot be replaced in the carton. Accordingly, a container cannot be removed from the carton, its contents altered, and the container replaced in the carton to be purchased by an unwitting consumer. Several alternative systems are employed for assembling the carton in a secure, tamper-proof manner. Further, if the carton is loaded at the point of manufacture or distribution, once the carton is loaded, the carton is sealed to provide indicia of potential tampering between the point of manufacture or distribution and the ultimate point of sale at a retail location.

Abstract: Disclosed is a package formed from a one-piece wrapper, typically made of carrier board, that is folded around twenty-four cans or bottles including a top and bottom of the package having cuts or perforations that partially separate the package into two twelve-packs; each side of the package having at least one tear-strip aligned with the cuts or perforations that will complete the separation into two twelve-packs; and the top of the package having a second pair of tear-strips which will allow the two twelve-packs to be separated into four six-packs. The wrapper can be folded in such a manner that the two six-packs of each of the two twelve-packs is separated by a center divider in the wrapper. This divider has a perforated top end which is aligned with the tear-strips. The two sides of the divider are held together by an adhesive which allows the six-packs to be separated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for differentially softening plastic used to package articles. Select areas of the sheet are selectively softened by treating those areas to allow either increased or decreased softening of the sheet in response to radiation absorption. The treatment can include the application of coating materials to the select areas or the lamination of different types of plastics. In the illustrated embodiment, heat is applied to the sheet by use of a infrared radiation source. Either before or after the sheet has been softened in the areas, the sheet is positioned adjacent to a forming plate for stretch forming the sheet. The plate causes the softened areas of the sheet, along with any unsoftened areas bordering the softened areas, to be drawn and stretched over and around the surface of the article intended to be covered or held.

Abstract: A machine and related method for clipping a succession of generally planar sheets according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,726 onto a succession of rectangular arrays of cans of a type having an end with a chime. Each sheet has two lines of can-stabilizing strips defined by generally parallel slits and two longitudinal edge portions defined thereby. Successive arrays of cans are registered in such manner that successive cans are spaced regularly and are conveyed with one such sheet overlying the cans of each array. After transversely spaced wheels engage successive edge portions of successive sheets to clip such edge portions beneath the chimes of adjacent cans being conveyed, successive lobes of transversely spaced, lobar wheels engage of successive strips of successive sheets as successive arrays are conveyed. The arrays of cans are registered relative to the lobes of the lobar wheels.

Abstract: A package member of a paperboard-like material with handle means at the upper end and with a bifurcated lower end of two flaps. The invention further involves a method for using the package member to make packages with a plurality of container units. The container units can be a single container or a stack of containers. The invention further includes packages of the package member, the plurality of container units, and a broad substantially-tensioned elastic plastics material band encircling and holding the container units with the packaging member together to enable a person to safely carry and jostle the package by holding the handle means with the package depending therefrom.

Abstract: A carrier for containers comprises a folded, generally stiff sheet, such as cardboard, defining a top wall, side walls, and a bottom wall. The carrier further defines apertures in the top wall for receiving the containers, with at least portions of the containers being positioned between the side walls. In accordance with this invention, the top wall defines a central, double-layered, integral handle portion of the folded sheet projecting outwardly from the remainder of the top wall. An inner sheet is positioned along the underside of the top wall and is attached to the folded sheet, to hold the handle portion in its outwardly projecting position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packing pots or cups in two rows in a package formed of a jacket characterized by providing a blank having a base panel, a pair of lateral panels connected by fold lines to the base panel and a pair of upper panels connected to the lateral panels by fold lines, said base panel having first and second tabs, first and second lateral parts and a median part having first and second lateral zones and a central zone; relatively folding the blank in the base zone so that the first lateral part and the median part of the base panel are folded relative in a first direction through approximately a quarter of a turn relative to the second lateral part to release the second tabs from the plane of the median part; applying paste to the second tabs; relatively folding by about another quarter of a turn in the same direction in order to bring the second lateral zone of the median part over the first lateral part; relatively folding by about a quarter of a turn in a second direction opposite the fi

Abstract: A heater plate for a heat-printed carrier process is provided in which the contact surface of the heater plate is shaped so as to reduce the formation of air pockets between the sheet and the contact surface of the heater plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling a plurality of articles with carriers in a connected carrier strip. The apparatus and method separates the strip of carriers assembled with a plurality of articles to form discrete packages of a plurality of articles by dividing the carrier strip horizontally tranversely to the path of travel of the articles and the assembled carrier strip. The portion of the apparatus for separating the articles is positionable between groups of articles moving along a path of travel and provides tensioning of the carrier strip between groups of articles to facilitate dividing the carrier strip along weakened lines.

Abstract: A generally planar paperboard or polymeric sheet for stabilizing a rectangular array of substantially identical cans of a type having an openable end with a chime and for covering substantial portions of the openable ends of the arrayed cans. Pairs of parallel slits in the sheet define can-stabilizing strips. The sheet is clippable onto the cans in such manner that portions of the chimes extend into the paired slits and that each strip fits, without folding such strip, under portions of two adjacent cans. A package for merchandizing such cans can be readily assembled by steps that include providing such cans in a rectangular array and clipping the sheet onto the cans in the specified manner.

Abstract: Carrier stock formed from a single sheet of resilient polymeric material, such as low density polyethylene, for machine application to side walls of substantially identical containers. Integrally joined band segments defining separate apertures to receive the individual containers include longitudinal, cross, and diagonal segments. The diagonal segments are joined at generally X-shaped junctions. From each junction, the generally oblique segments of a first pair are continuously curved toward the nearer edge of such stock and the diagonal segments of a second pair are substantially straight and tend toward the other edge of such stock. Each diagonal segment of the first pair at each junction has a progressively changing width, being wider at its end joined at such junction than at its other end, and has a substantially uniform width.

Abstract: The process and apparatus of the present invention includes a conveyor for applying a continuous sheet of plastic to the tops of a plurality of beverage containers, the tops and chines of which are smaller than the outer diameters of the containers. A heating element applies heat through openings in a mask placed between the heater and the plastic and softens portions of the plastic in areas in alignment with the tops of the containers but smaller than the container tops. An unsoftened portion of the plastic surrounds the softened portion in alignment with the chines of the containers and a forming plate pushes the plastic sheet against the container tops so that the softened portion is above the tops, and the unsoftened portion snaps around and beneath the chines.

Abstract: The method comprises continuously wrapping ordered batches of containers (4) with either self adhesive or non-self adhesive films (A, B) of elastic plastics material (such as stretchable linear polyethylene). One of the films (A) forms the base of the wrapping and the other (B) the cover. The films (A, B) are welded together between one batch and the next (4) in a direction transverse to the direction in which the batches advance, and the batches are separated from each other by cutting the films. The apparatus comprises, for the spaced-apart batches of containers (4), a service conveyor (8) in contact with which the film (A) forming the base of the wrapping moves, and a plurality of mutually independent welding and cutting units (11) insertable individually into the gap between one batch and the next (4) to produce the weld and the cut, and extractable from said gap after welding and cutting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of applying carriers to arrays of containers, in particular cans, comprising providing a web of interconnected plastic carriers, each carrier having an array of openings for receiving the upper ends of the containers, the configuration of the openings being slightly less than the cross section of the upper ends of the containers, providing a plurality of containers, each container having a bead, a neck and a body portion, moving the cans in a predetermined path, moving the web in a downward converging path with respect to the direction of movement of the containers, engaging the trailing edges of the beads of each transverse row of containers with the trailing edges of a corresponding row of openings in the carrier.

Abstract: A continuous packaging sleever assembly and process for wrapping packaging sleeves about product groups. The assembly has a frame structure with a generally horizontal working surface, a transfer conveyor to move the product containers across the working surface, and horizontally movable flight bar structures connected to a continuous chain structure. The flight bar structures are constructed and arranged to be selectively movable in a generally perpendicular direction to the product transfer conveyor means and to separate the product containers into predetermined groups. A packaging sleeve transfer and placement structure is provided in synchronization with the flight bar structures for depositing flat packaging sleeves between adjacent flight bar structures and above the product groups. The flight bar structures simultaneously move the product groups and the individual sleeves thereon.

Abstract: A packer is especially useful for loading PET bottles into open top cases. The bottles are fed at a predetermined speed along an infeed path. An overhead pusher bar system contains vertically oriented bars that descend vertically between selected bottles at a penetration station to form the bottles into complements of the desired number. Vertical penetration is accompanied by horizontal motion of the bars as they travel in a curved path at the penetration station. The horizontal speed of the bottles at the penetration station is temporarily slowed as the bars descend between adjacent bottles. Horizontal bottle slowing is accomplished by pivoting a downstream bar to a horizontal orientation at a pivot station such that the bar acquires leading and trailing edges. The pivoting trailing edge forces the bottles upstream therefrom in the upstream direction relative to the continuous steady speed of the bar downstream end. Bar pivoting creates correct spacing between consecutive complements.

Abstract: A packaging machine for continuously feeding a predetermined array of containers at predetermined speeds beneath an endless series of jaw stations designed to slowly stretch bands and telescopically associate the stretched bands with an associated array while minimizing length of travel of the arrays through the machine.

Abstract: A cooler-dehumidifier-filter 3-in-one apparatus for treating compressed air, comprising an air inlet-outlet mechanism with a built-up radiator cisterns connected therebelow, having an air diffusion mechanism and an air filtering mechanism set therein to communicate with the air intake conduit so as to provide initial cooling and filtering effect; an exhausting device being made on the bottom of said air filtering mechanism to produce spiral air flow so as to dehumidfy the compressed air; the dehumidified air being to soar upward to pass through said filtering mechanism and the interlocking holes of the flange of said air diffusion mechanism to further be squeezed and diffused to cool down again; said air current being further to pass through said upwardly disposed filtering cylinder for secondary filtration; a water cooling effect being achieved by means of the arrangement of water inlet and outlet on said radiator cisterns to match the communicating pipe formed by the vertical conduits of said radiator ciste

Abstract: A packaging arrangement for a group of containers includes a tray-shaped bottom including a planar bottom wall and circumferential walls extending substantially normal to the plane of the bottom wall to form a rim which initially confines the containers in their positions during the formation of the packaging arrangement. The packaging arrangement further includes a strap-shaped typing member that encircles the containers and ultimately confines them in their positions and that carries a handle by which the packaging arrangement and the containers accommodated therein can be held. A separate cover to be joined to the tray-shaped bottom and surrounding the containers and the strap-shaped typing member encircling the same completes the packaging arrangement and has an opening for the passage of the handle from the interior to the exterior of the cover.

Abstract: A mechanism (10) and method for applying a top gripping type carrier carton onto the tops of a group of bottles (B) disposed within a crate comprises a carton transfer unit (34) for withdrawing a carton (c) from a supply (H) and transferring a carton from the supply to a position of application, a carton manipulating device (36) for at least partially erecting the carton during transfer, a pivotal arm (12) being provided for pivoting the transfer unit and the manipulating device together with the carton so that the carton is inverted during transfer into an attitude correct for applying it to the bottle group.

Abstract: A combination, or distributor package including upper and lower groups or sub- packages of containers each created by a unitary multi-packaging device, a thin, flexible sheet separating the upper group from the lower group and a tightly, tensioned, envelop around the top, bottom and sides of the groups created by a spirally applied stretch film.

Abstract: A vertical cartoner assembly and method is for placing and assembling cartons over preselected product groups moved on a conveyor. The assembly has a frame structure having an elongated circular portion and vertically disposed drive shafts each having upper and lower chain sprockets. Continuous chains engage the upper and lower sprockets, and a power drive is provided to rotate one of the drive shafts. A continuous cam rail structure is mounted to the frame spacially intermediate the continuous chains. The continuous cam rail has downwardly and upwardly sloping sections. A plurality of vertical shafts are connected to the top and bottom chains. A carton holder body structure having a vertically disposed sleeve slidingly engages at least one of the vertical shafts. The carton holder body has a rearwardly extending cam follower for movement in the cam rail structure. The carton holder body structure has a pair of adjustable outwardly extending arms for receiving an opened and partially erected carton.

Abstract: A package (46) of the wrap-around type has a central row of articles (48) and an auxiliary row of articles (50,52) one on either side of the central row. The articles of the auxiliary rows are disposed in abutting nested relationship with respect to those in the group. A securing strap (S) is provided to hold together the articles of the central row and the strap is held in position closely to embrace the articles in the central row by the abutting articles in the auxiliary rows. An outer open-ended wrapper (54) is provided for maintaining the articles of the auxiliary rows in their abutting nested relationship with respect to the articles in the central row.

Abstract: An article grouping technique is embodied in a machine which continuously end-loads groups of bottles into open-ended carton sleeves. The machine includes a fixed base plate 10 along which a line of bottles (B) move, a series of parallel metering bars (12) spaced apart to receive the open-ended carton sleeves which are mounted for movement together along the base plate. Fixed guides defining infeed conveyors (22, 24) are provided along which bottles to be loaded are fed into the machine. Each of the infeed conveyors converges towards the path of movement of the carton sleeves and each metering bar has a free end section which is movable obliquely across the path of movement of the bottles on the respective infeed conveyors so that a predetermined number of bottles are formed into a sub-group on each of the infeed conveyors between adjacent metering bars.

Abstract: This invention discloses a can packaging device that binds a plurality of cans together for easy handling and storage, and at the same time, covers the can tops for sanitary purpose. The sanitary ring packaging of the present invention is comprised of a thick plastic sheet including a plurality of substantially circular cut-outs wherein the edges of the thick plastic sheet are contoured to conform with the substantially circular cut-outs, and a thin plastic sheet superimposed on the thick plastic sheet with slack in the surface area wherein the thin plastic sheet is bonded to and clipped along the edges of the thick plastic sheet. The thick plastic sheet ties cans together which engage the substantially circular cut-outs or holes included therein in a tight and retaining relationship, while the thin plastic sheet covers the can tops.

Abstract: A length of tape 3 is bonded to a heat shrinkable film 2, and the film 2 is weakened along the edges of a central portion of the length of tape 3. The film 2 is then wrapped around an article or articles, has its two opposite ends sealed together, and is heat shrunk around the article or articles causing access openings 6, 7 in the sheet in the weakened areas along the central portion of the tape that can then be used as a handle for the resultant package 1.

Abstract: A wrapping machine wherein article units are wrapped by a shrinkable web to form a package. The machine includes a conveyor which includes an upper article supporting run. The conveyor has regularly spaced openings and associated with the rear of each opening is a web pulling bar. Article units are fed to the conveyor run in timed relation to conveyor movement and a series of retarder bars, moving at a slower rate, pull the web in front of each article unit to be wrapped with the article unit then bearing against the retarder bar and being slowed to the speed of the retarder bar with the conveyor moving therebeneath. A clamp bar moves down behind each article unit, draws the web down behind the article unit and then clamps the web to the article unit. In advance of this, and before the clamp bar engages the article unit, web drawing means engages the web between two adjacent article units and draws the same down into the associated conveyor opening and engages the web with the article pulling means.

Abstract: The invention provides a cover for one or more articles, the cover being easily applied to each article by softening a portion of a sheet then forcing the non-softened portion around the article to cause the softened portion to stretch and conform to the article, providing a closely fitting cover. The shape of the softened area can be different than the shape of the article; various advantages are indicated for different configurations. A machine, a method, and the cover itself are all disclosed.

Abstract: This relates to a wrapping machine of the type wherein a web is automatically wrapped about one or a group of articles to form a package. A continuous web is provided and this web has at regular intervals a series of transversely aligned cutouts. After the web has passed over the article or articles to be wrapped, the web between two adjacent sets of articles is hooked onto a web drawing member of an article transporting conveyor which is moving at a greater rate than the article being wrapped. A simple web pressing mechanism is provided for pressing the web down in front of the web drawing member and holding the web portion in a pressed condition until the advancing web drawing member engages fingers thereof into the cutouts in the web.

Abstract: This relates to providing internal compression in packages of the type utilizing a wrap around carton. Instead of utilizing locking cut outs provided for receiving articles to be packaged, special compression cuts are formed in the closure panels of a wrap around carton so that the compression cuts are independent of the locking cut outs thereby permitting one chain and lug arrangement to be utilized in conjunction with numerous types of packages. The lugs are carried by compression chains located in a plane below the support plane of the articles to be packaged with the lugs being pivotally mounted on pins and normally having downwardly sloping positions for engaging in the compression cuts when the closure flaps are in their generally vertical depending position. The lugs are swingable upwardly to generally horizontal positions with the closure panels. Each lug carries a finger having a nose particularly configurated for automatically entering and centering within a compression cut.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading articles into trays where the articles are first separated into rows with a divider assembly, then separated into groups with a grouper assembly and then pushed onto a dead plate to form a load. Different divider and grouper assemblies are provided to make different load configurations. A tray blank is moved under the dead plate and pushed out from under the dead plate synchronously with the movement of the article load over the dead plate so that the article load is deposited on the tray blank. Thereafter, the flaps on the tray blank are folded to erect the tray around the group of articles. Mechanical folding mechanisms are provided to fold certain of the flaps on the tray without folding the other flaps. The method of loading the articles in the tray and forming the tray around the articles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for manually and simultaneously forcing four, contoured, flexible, six pack type holders over the necks of twenty-four bottles. The device includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart pipes to which a plurality of parallel, spaced apart cross bars are perpendicularly attached, with the cross bars and pipes each having downwardly extending legs at their ends which engage with the shoulders of the holders. A pair of handles are attached to the pipes to allow the user to exert a downward force on the pipes and, through the legs of the cross bars and pipes, to the shoulders of the holders. The cross bar legs are dimensioned so that the cross bars are also in contact with the tops of the holders at the same time that the legs engage the shoulders thereby ensuring that the downward force applied by the operator is evenly distributed over the holder.

Abstract: This relates to the forming of shrink wrap packages. A continuous web predivided into wrap sections is delivered to moving article clusters and is drawn thereabout by a puller apparatus while article clusters are supported on a moving conveyor having openings therethrough at regularly spaced intervals. The article clusters are retarded relative to the conveyor so that the conveyor advances relative to the article clusters. The web is precut to define the individual wraps and the conveyor has adjacent each opening fingers for interlocking with the web to draw the web over a trailing article cluster. The wrap web is eventually clamped to the article cluster and as the conveyor continues to advance causes separation of the leading wrap section from the remainder of the web. The conveyor then moves a trailing flap under the article cluster and a forward flap is later moved under the article cluster and the trailing flap by discharge rollers.

Abstract: A rapid and economical method for forming a stabilized rectangular bundle of round containers is disclosed. Round containers, arranged in a spatially compact contiguous configuration, are first surrounded by a stretchable, endless band. The containers are then rearranged into a rectangular, commercially desirable but less spatially efficient configuration, causing the band to tension. Next a unitary loop matrix is positioned over one end of each of the containers, constituting the squared configuration, to stabilize or immobilize the substantially rectangular shape of the squared configuration. Positioning the unitary loop matrix on the containers causes the containers to spread apart, which causes the band to tension further. The configuration remains substantially rectangular until containers are removed from the bundle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for closing a carrier about a one or more articles. The invention includes one or more fingers which are urged into contact with locking tabs on the carrier to force the locking tabs through an opening on the carrier. The fingers may be activated by a rotating cam operated device or may be electromagnetically activated.

Abstract: A device for applying molded plastic clips to unattached containers to form multiple container packages which includes a container alignment device for aligning the unattached containers for application of the clips by generating uniform forces between the unattached containers during the application of the clips. This is accomplished by a series of star wheels that generate a predetermined downstream force and a predetermined upstream force by adjusting the predetermined phase angle between the star wheel means. This results in a substantially zero resultant force which ensures uniform expansion and precise alignment of the containers during application of the clips.

Abstract: A packaging machine (10) for wrapping together a plurality of uniform containers (c) which machine includes an infeed section (12) having conveying means (18) for continuously feeding a series of wrapper blanks in substantially flat condition longitudinally towards an outfeed section of the machine and conveying means (22,24) for continuously feeding a linear series of containers to be wrapped in longitudinal alignment with said series of wrappers so that each container is moved into a position directly above a wrapper blank, a loading section (20) in which each container is caused to be located in an aperture (`a`) provided in a base panel of the wrapper while the container and wrapper are conveyed in synchronism, a forming section in which wrapping of further panels or each blank with respect to the containers is affected to complete the package and an outfeed section from which the completed packages leave the machine, characterized in that loading is achieved by causing the containers to enter the loading