Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging irregularly shaped articles is provided in which one or more articles is supported on one or more supports, enclosing the supports and the articles in a pack and removing the supports through one or more openings in the pack.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for packing at least two independent batches of products, arranged identically one after the other, using two cuttings of wrapping material, namely one per batch, at least one of which provided with at least one external tag or flap that stays projecting with respect to one of the sides of the wrap created with the said cutting, and for producing a complete carton by stably restraining one to the other, the said batches of products wrapped in the said cuttings, using as the element for firmly connecting one to the other, the said tag or flap, this being glued to the facing surface of the wrap resting on the side from which the said tag or flap projects.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for folding floppy disk envelopes. Envelope blanks are manipulated while attached to a continuous web of envelope material to facilitate handling and alignment of the blanks. Initially, fold lines are prescored into the envelope blanks to define the precise dimensions of the envelope. Envelope flaps are then partially folded to define a receptacle into which the disk media is then inserted. The remaining flaps are then folded and sealed, and lastly the folded envelope is detached from the continuous web.

Abstract: Successive stacks of wrapped reams of paper sheets are delivered onto first cardboard blanks on top of a first platform which is then maintained in raised position. The platform thereupon descends and the front and rear sidewalls of the blank are simultaneously pivoted against the respective sides of the descending stack before the latter leaves the first platform and continuously advances along a first horizontal path wherein the conversion of the first blank continues so that such blank ultimately constitutes a case surrounding the bottom and the sides of the respective stack. The stack is then lifted by a second platform and a second blank is placed on top of the ascending stack or even ahead of the second platform.

Abstract: A machine for packing groups or bundles of cigarettes has a packing conveyor 15 on which each wrapped bundle 32 is laterally supported within an outer blank by corner tabs 12 of the blank being reverse folded at a station C before an inner frame 38 is inserted. The tabs 12 subsequently slide along a raised track 28, which extends up to a station G where the inner frame is applied, so that the inner wall 11 of the lid is kept upright. At a downstream station N is a rejector device for faulty packs, including a continuously reciprocating pusher 50 which is swung down into its operative position by a rib cam 76. One of the cam followers 80 is brought into contact with the cam during its dwell portion 77 by operating an actuator 88 to extend and align a pair of toggle links 84, 86.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing together rectangular-section cartons (13) in groups of, for example, five cartons comprises tape dispensers (14,14') for dispensing adhesive tape (15a,b,c) on to the tops and bottoms of cartons in a row of cartons, and perforating rollers containing pins (21) for perforating the tape with spaced rows of perforations arranged to be located between adjacent cartons, each fifth row containing more perforations and means for breaking the tape at each fifth row to separate the cartons into batches of five.

Abstract: A wrap-around packaging method wherein a package blank is prefolded to an open-sided configuration, an object to be packaged is positioned within the prefolded blank and the final folding and adhesive closing of the package is then completed in a series of synchronized steps. The prefolding occurs during the course of withdrawal of the package blank from a magazine and its transporting into position to receive the object to be packaged and includes plural folding steps which are individually performed to minimize stress on the packing material. The movement of the preformed packing material blank and object through the final folding and closing stations is accomplished without contact between the conveying means and the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling battery cell elements having a plurality of electrode plates of alternating polarity separated by a continuous interleaved insulating sheet.

Abstract: Automatic wraparound packaging machinery comprising a carton blank feeding station, can accumulator, lowerator platform and gluing and sealing station is provided with a loading head adapted for receiving the supply of articles (e.g., cans) to be packed and for forming the articles into discrete groups. The apparatus further comprises a retractable loading curtain associated with the loading head and means associated with the loading head for retracting the loading curtain to release the group of articles formed in the loading head and for returning the loading curtain to its normal position for supporting the next group of articles formed in the loading head. In one embodiment, the articles are packed in the carton in one tier. In another embodiment, releasable lifting means are provided for lifting every other group or articles to form an upper and a lower tier of articles, thus producing a two-tiered arrangement of articles to be packed.

Abstract: A corrugated container and the method of forming the container saves paper. The method of forming the container includes gluing backing webs of paper to each side of a corrugated web, resulting in a composite web of three layer thickness. One of the backing layers is wider than the other backing layers, defining single layer strips on each edge of the multiple layer central section. Longitudinal fold lines are placed in the multiple and single layer strips. The composite web is sheared into sheets, with the sheet being folded along the fold lines into a container. The fold lines are placed to position the single layer portions on the upper sidewalls and top of the container, where less strength is required.

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 hinged lid packet has an integral inner frame comprising a recessed panel extending upwardly from the front wall of the body of the packet, and a pair of side flaps extending backwards from the sides of the recessed panel. A cut-away part is formed at the top of each side flap to provide access for securing each outer flap of the lid of the packet to the respective inner flap. Each inner flap may be of a shape corresponding to the cut-away part, so that with the lid closed the inner flap and the respective side flap are substantially contiguous.

Abstract: A box blank with receptacle and cover sections each with side flaps and end flaps has a hinge panel joining the two sections. A vacuum pickup draws a flat blank from a supply stack to a feed carriage which transfers the blank past sprays that apply glue to the end flaps. The speed of the carrier varies, but beneath the glue sprays speed is uniform. The carriage delivers the glue coated box blank to a former and a tray forming head having concave and convex interacting pressure plates which maintain doubled over end flaps of each section in a concave configuration with respect to the box while the folded end sections are adhered to form a box tray from the blank. Former flap benders cooperate with the tray forming head to shape the box tray. A second vacuum pickup clasps the formed tray at the hinge panel and draws a shaped tray from the forming head into engagement with folding elements such that the cover and receptacle sections are bent together along the hinge panel to form a closed box.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a packaged web product and apparatus therefor wherein superposed webs are compressed and while compressed webs pass through an open-ended forming device having a closed perimeter and simultaneously enveloping the compressed, superposed webs, and thereafter transversely severing the resultant product into identical units.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing cigarette packages from a foil wrapping which surrounds the block of cigarettes on all sides and from a printed paper wrapper, which is closed at one end by means of a bottom fold. In order to be able to work the foil covering and the wrapper on a single folding device, at least one tab is produced on the foil blank by two incisions in the region of the subsequent bottom fold and the tab is bent over approximately at right angles. Thereupon, the foil blank and the wrapper blank are brought together and connected together in such a manner that the edges of the two blanks approximately coincide on three sides while on the fourth side the foil blank protrudes beyond the wrapper blank. The interconnected blanks are folded on a folding mandrel around the long and wide sides thereof and are glued together, overlapping, on at least one long or wide side before finally the bottom fold is produced by folding the flaps onto the tab which lies against the bottom of the folding mandrel.

Abstract: A box blank with receptacle and cover sections each with side and end flaps has a hinge panel joining the sections. A vacuum pickup draws a flat blank from a stack to a feed carriage which delivers the glue coated blank to a former and a forming head having concave and convex interacting pressure plates which maintain doubled over end flaps of each section in concave configuration while the folded end sections are adhered to form a box tray. Former flap benders cooperate with the tray forming head to shape the tray. A second vacuum pickup clasps the formed tray at the hinge panel and draws it from the forming head into engagement with folding elements such that cover and receptacle sections are bent together along the hinge panel to form a closed box.The machine implementing the process is cam and lever motivated with a gluer for forming the folded end flaps and holding the box partially closed after the tray is formed for loading articles into the box before it is closed.

Abstract: In a machine for packaging articles, in particular cigarettes, an apparatus for folding cutout elements to obtain packets of the hinged-lid type, the apparatus comprising a drum adapted to rotate in a stepped manner and having peripheral recesses each adapted to receive a respective article and to displace the same along a plurality of folding stations, at the first of said stations a first folding operation being performed by simultaneously inserting said articles and the respective cutout elements into the respective recesses; at the last of said stations a last folding operation being performed by ejecting said articles and the respective cutout elements through an aperture; and the intermediate stations comprising fixed cam means engaging said cutout elements during movement of said drum, and mobile folding means engaging said cutout elements when the drum is stationary.

Abstract: A recloseable, pilfer-proof container is disclosed which is formed from a single blank of fiberboard according to a method of the present invention. The container includes a six-sided, closed container base portion having a hinged, pilferproof access flap. A tear-open, hinged access flap is defined in the top and front sides of the container base by a broken cut line. A pair of locking tabs are defined by the cut line in the front side of the container base adjacent the access flap. A hinged lid portion overlies the access flap and is glued to the access flap so that it is constrained to pivot with the flap. When the lid portion is grasped and pivoted to open the container for the first time, the hinged access flap is torn away from the top and front sides of the container base along the cut line and is pivoted on its hinge. When the lid portion and flap are reclosed, the locking tabs engage corresponding edges of the flap to lock the lid portion and flap in the closed position.

Abstract: Process for insertion of two rows of objects, for example, bottles, cans and the like, into a package, which consists mainly of a blank of foldable material with a top wall, side walls adjacent on both sides and bottom halves connected to them, as well as the edge tabs folded upwards, which form a longitudinal stiffener, characterized by that the blank is placed on the rows of the objects which are in an inclined position and with their bottoms spread, wrapping the side walls and the bottom halves around each row of the objects, lifting the edge tabs, folding them between the rows of the objects and pressing and glueing the edge tabs together.