Abstract: A bottle carrier blank of the wraparound open ended neck through type is fed in a downwardly converging direction to a position such that the apertures in the top wall are disposed in coincidence with a bottle group which is continuously moving along a predetermined path and presser means disposed above the moving bottle group and carrier blank is provided with blank engaging means movable downwardly and forwardly in the direction of movement of the bottle group and carrier blank to engage the blank and force it downwardly so that the apertures therein receive and envelop the necks of the bottles therebelow.

Abstract: A system for applying clips and covers to cans to form multiple container packages. The system utilizes a prefeed device to obtain a preferential distribution of clips supplied in bulk form. An orienter separates and orients the clips in a manner suitable for application to the cans. The cans are fed in 2 rows and held with a predetermined spacing so that the clips can be applied to form a multiple container package. A cover applicator then applies a cover or coupon to the multiple container package by forcing a prescored portion of the cover into the clip so that it interlocks with the clip. Apparatus is also provided for folding and gluing skirted portions of the cover around the periphery of the multiple container package.

Abstract: Applicator mechanism for fitting a sleeve (10) to at least one moving bottle (B) comprises supply means (44) holding collapsed sleeves, erecting means (WD) sequentially to bring each sleeve into a set-up condition, transfer means (96-104) to effect downward transfer of the set-up sleeve towards said article to be sleeved and applicator means (106-112) for fitting the sleeve around the article. The applicator means is operable to execute both a downward and forward motion to the sleeve such that the forward motion of the sleeve substantially is synchronized with that of the article during fitment of the sleeve thereto.

Abstract: An article wrapper for an article, or plurality of articles in at least one row, is formed from an elongated blank having a top panel, a pair of side panels connected to the top panel along fold lines, and a pair of bottom panels with each of the bottom panels connected to the adjacent side panels at two score lines. Compression tabs are positioned between the bottom score lines to allow tightening of the wrapper by squeeze guides. The bottom panels are arranged in overlapping relation and secured to each other by an adhesive, for example, after tightening the wrapper. The uppermost bottom score line adjacent each of the side panels enables a right angle corner to be formed at the bottom of each of the side panels so that each of the side panels presents an uninterrupted surface. The tabs are tucked under the bottom so as to be hidden from view.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes moveable spaced metering bars and guide means for supplying groups of articles from an infeed conveyor to a packaging station and is arranged to tighten a carrier blank about a group of articles while the blank and articles are moved by the metering bars and includes tightening means movable along the group of articles on each side thereof and which engage portions of the blank on each side of the group near the bottom portions of the articles by means which moves at substantially the same velocity as the velocity of movement of the group of articles and blank and which imparts a downward tightening force thereto without causing any substantial frictional dragback and which need not move in precisely timed sequence with a blank and an associated group of articles.

Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus for making a package which comprises a generally rectangularly shaped article or group of articles encircled by a broad band of a highly-stretched, resilient, elastic plastics material. The method and apparatus use a plurality of elongated flat rigid arms to stretch the band, permit the article to be placed therein, and to then transfer the high compressive force of the stretched band from the arms to the corners of the article by moving the arms in the flat planes of the inner surface of the stretched band from the article corners toward the centers of the stretched band panels. Low compressive forces between the arms and the inner surfaces of the band then permit the arms to be easily longitudinally slid from the package.

Abstract: Double packages with two trays which are formed from a common, one-piece blank and are connected in the area of central partitions (center panels), are manufactured such that the trays, which in the original position as a flat blank have a greater distance from each other, are pushed together while raising the connected center panels in the shape of a V. Subsequent to this are further folding steps for side and outer panels. This manufacturing process, including filling and folding can take place in stages while standing still in individual stations, or alternatively, in a continuous process.

Abstract: A novel process for packaging goods within stretch-type plastic films. The process comprises the steps of preforming the package elements so that on-line sealing and long cooling cycles are not necessary during rapid packaging procedures when the film is extended under high stress. The required extension is achieved by the use of film-band spreading means which have low friction surfaces thereby minimizing any local stress on the expanding package material.

Abstract: The disclosed cover, carrier and package for one or more articles, is formed from a sheet of material which is stretchable when softened but relatively rigid otherwise. In a preferred apparatus and process, such a sheet is positioned over the top of the object to be covered and the portion of the sheet directly over the object is softened. A downward force is applied to the unsoftened, still relatively rigid portion of the sheet so as to force it down and around the top of the object. This causes the softened portion of the sheet to be stretched over the top and down the side of the object, conforming closely to it and thus providing a tight seal. By covering multiple articles a carrier may be formed. Methods for controlling the thickness of different parts of the carrier are described. In addition, a carrier may be applied to both the top and bottom of an array of articles in order to form a rigid carton or case.

Abstract: An apparatus for arranging a carrier mat of resilient material on a number of arranged moving containers, comprising a conveyor for the containers, a delivery device for the mats and means for positioning the containers or bottles with respect to this delivery device, which latter comprises a first and a second pair of mutually opposite-reciprocating driven slides, the upper face of the second pair being located lower than that of the first pair over a distance corresponding to the thickness of the carrier mat, the slides of the first pair being provided with pressure faces directed aslant toward the containers and the distance between the top of the containers and the bottom of the first pair of slides being smaller than the thickness of the carrier mat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging cans or similar objects having beaded rims in combination with planar carriers of polymeric materials is described. The cans are arrayed into groups corresponding to rim-engagingopenings or formations on the carriers by a conveyor and the cans are then positioned, aligned and firmly held with respect to the formations by cores inserted into the interstices within the array. The cores are actuated by the position of the conveyor belt via rails at specific stations. While the cores are holding the cans in alignment with respect to the carrier, the cans are inserted into the carriers by conveyor-actuated rams so that the beads on said rims engage the formations on the carriers. The carriers may include the rim-engaging formations along opposite faces.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for assemblying bottles or other containers into a package. The bottles for a package are arranged in a group of predetermined number, a telescoping tubular sleeve is placed around the group, and the sleeve is heat-shrunken around the grouped bottles into an integral tightly-bound package.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for altering a package of containers encased by heat shrunk packaging material without structurally damaging the package. The package is modified in areas immediate of each container to expose a portion of each container for the affixing of a price mark thereupon, while providing sufficient structural strength to facilitate shipping of the package.

Abstract: A multipackaging method and apparatus for multipackaging containers with a stretchable plastics material device or carrier that essentially uses the containers as the carrier applicating elements.

Abstract: This disclosure has to do with a bottle package of the type wherein at least four bottles arranged in two columns are formed into a package by wrapping a heat shrinkable plastics material film thereabout and effecting shrinking of that film to tightly grip bottles. In order to facilitate the carrying of the package, finger receiving openings are formed on opposite sides of central ones of the bottles with the film engaged over the top of the central ones of the bottles between the finger receiving openings defining a carrying strap. The shrinking of the film is effected in a shrink tunnel where hot air is directed against the film. The finger receiving openings are formed in the film between adjacent pairs of bottles after initial shrinking of the film has occurred, but before the film reaches the end of the shrink tunnel so that after slitting of the film occurs, there is further shrinking of the film, primarily down between adjacent pairs of bottles.

Abstract: A plastic sheet band multi-packaging device is disclosed as having means to facilitate carrying thereof in an economical and efficient multi-packaging design. The assembly of plastic sheet band multi-packaging devices to containers can also be greatly enhanced by folding techniques prior to and/or during assembly.

Abstract: This relates to the formation of packages of containers, particularly those formed by heat shrinking a plastics material wrap around a plurality of containers and wherein the package is intended to be picked up by engaging an upper central portion of the wrap. A reinforcing strip is interlocked with upper portions of central ones of the containers. The reinforcing strip is divided in roll form and is first perforated to interlock with upper portions of containers, then is applied to adjacent pairs of containers followed by pressing the reinforcing strip down to assure interlocking thereof with two adjacent containers of two adjacent pairs of containers with the strip being severed between the two adjacent containers while held in place relative thereto. The containers are continuously moving during the application of the reinforcing strip and a single movable support is provided for all of the apparatus components. The movable support is driven by a plurality of cooperating cranks.