Abstract: A forming assembly and process for forming a carton from a carton blank are herein disclosed. The finished carton can have an odd number of sides and/or an angle between two adjacent sides that is less than 90 degrees. The forming assembly includes a forming head and a forming cavity. The forming head acts as an inner die and the forming cavity acts as an outer die. In addition, the forming cavity includes at least one cavity side plate that desirably folds tabs on the carton blank to secure the tabs to one another and form the finished carton.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for real-time alignment of packaging surfaces can include two or more sensors for detecting the positioning of carton surfaces and a servo system. The servo system can include a servo motor and a controller. The servo system records the positioning of the carton surfaces and calculates a difference in position. The controller compares the calculated value with a predetermined value and if necessary, the servo motor turns a correction wheel to align the carton surfaces.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for real-time alignment of packaging surfaces can include two or more sensors for detecting the positioning of carton surfaces and a servo system. The servo system can include a servo motor and a controller. The servo system records the positioning of the carton surfaces and calculates a difference in position. The controller compares the calculated value with a predetermined value and if necessary, the servo motor turns a correction wheel to align the carton surfaces.

Abstract: A foil lid inspection system for detecting and separating defective foil lids on a container in a production line includes one or more light sources, an inspection camera, and inspection software. The light sources are positioned to direct light in an upward direction to illuminate the container. The inspection camera is positioned above the foil lid, and the camera includes one or more outputs. The inspection software is in communication with the inspection camera. The inspection software is constructed and arranged to determine if the foil lid on the container is defective. A reject signal is applied to an output if the software determines that the foil lid is defective.

Abstract: A foil lid inspection system for detecting and separating defective foil lids on a container in a production line includes one or more light sources, an inspection camera, and inspection software. The light sources are positioned to direct light in an upward direction to illuminate the container. The inspection camera is positioned above the foil lid, and the camera includes one or more outputs. The inspection software is in communication with the inspection camera. The inspection software is constructed and arranged to determine if the foil lid on the container is defective. A reject signal is applied to an output if the software determines that the foil lid is defective.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for real-time alignment of packaging surfaces can include two or more sensors for detecting the positioning of carton surfaces and a servo system. The servo system can include a servo motor and a controller. The servo system records the positioning of the carton surfaces and calculates a difference in position. The controller compares the calculated value with a predetermined value and if necessary, the servo motor turns a correction wheel to align the carton surfaces.

Abstract: A container package assembly includes two support members. Both the support members have a top, a bottom, a first side, a second side, and a vertical support. For each support member, the vertical support is integrally engaged to the top, the bottom, the first side, and the second side. For each support member, the top is substantially parallel to the bottom, the first side is substantially parallel to the second side, and the vertical support is substantially perpendicular to the top and the bottom. For each support member, the first side and the second side have a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge having a top edge length and the bottom edge having a bottom edge length, the top edge length being less than the bottom edge length. The vertical support of the first support member is immediately adjacent the vertical support of the second support member.

Abstract: A system and methods of use for assembling packages has one or more conveyors for advancing one or more product flavors into an accumulation of product units. At an accumulation area the accumulated product units are separated into a subset of pack units by a pack splitter which are then deposited onto an indexing conveyor. The pack units may be supported by a substrate. The pack units are advanced along the indexing conveyor for final package assembly.

Abstract: A container package assembly includes two support members. Both the support members have a top, a bottom, a first side, a second side, and a vertical support. For each support member, the vertical support is integrally engaged to the top, the bottom, the first side, and the second side. For each support member, the top is substantially parallel to the bottom, the first side is substantially parallel to the second side, and the vertical support is substantially perpendicular to the top and the bottom. For each support member, the first side and the second side have a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge having a top edge length and the bottom edge having a bottom edge length, the top edge length being less than the bottom edge length. The vertical support of the first support member is immediately adjacent the vertical support of the second support member.

Abstract: A temporary packaging method and a resultant package are provided for comprising temporarily bonding containers on a flat base member to stabilize the containers for further packaging, the method comprising the steps of providing a base member, providing containers, temporarily bonding the containers to the base member with a hot melt adhesive, advancing the base member with containers through the packaging or handling system so that further processing of the containers may optionally be effected, encapsulating the base member and bonded containers with a plastic shrink film to complete the package, followed by release of the containers from the bond to base member within minutes after shrink wrapping, with the adhesive remaining bonded to the base member.

Abstract: A container package assembly comprises a first support member and a second support member, each of which have a front side, a back side, a right side and a left side. The support members being arranged along a common plane wherein one of the sides of the first support member is immediately adjacent to one of the sides of the second support member. Each of the support members further comprise at least one wall defining at least a portion of at least one of the front side, back side, right side and left side of the first support member and second support member. Containers are positioned on the support surface of the first support member and the second support member. A top pad is positioned on top of the containers and extends over at least a portion of each of the containers. The support members, the containers and the top pad comprise an assembly which is at least partially encapsulated by a film.

Abstract: A system and methods of use for assembling packages has one or more conveyors for advancing one or more product flavors into an accumulation of product units. At an accumulation area the accumulated product units are separated into a subset of pack units by a pack splitter which are then deposited onto an indexing conveyor. The pack units may be supported by a substrate. The pack units are advanced along the indexing conveyor for final package assembly.

Abstract: A temporary packaging method and a resultant package are provided for comprising temporarily bonding containers on a flat base member to stabilize the containers for further packaging, the method comprising the steps of providing a base member, providing containers, temporarily bonding the containers to the base member with a hot melt adhesive, advancing the base member with containers through the packaging or handling system so that further processing of the containers may optionally be effected, encapsulating the base member and bonded containers with a plastic shrink film to complete the package, followed by release of the containers from the bond to base member within minutes after shrink wrapping, with the adhesive remaining bonded to the base member.

Abstract: A container package assembly which comprises a first support member and a second support member, a plurality of containers, a top pad, and a membrane. The first support member having a first side, the second support member having a second side. The first support member and the second support member being arranged along a common plane wherein the first edge is immediately adjacent to the second edge. Each of the support members constructed and arranged to receive a predetermined number of containers thereon. A top pad positioned on top of the containers, the top pad dimensioned to extend over at least a portion of each of the support members. The support members, the predetermined number of containers and the top pad comprising an assembly, the assembly at least partially encapsulated by the membrane.

Abstract: A temporary packaging method and a resultant package are provided for comprising temporarily bonding containers on a flat base member to stabilize the containers for further packaging, the method comprising the steps of providing a base member, providing containers, temporarily bonding the containers to the base member with a hot melt adhesive, advancing the base member with containers through the packaging or handling system so that further processing of the containers may optionally be effected, encapsulating the base member and bonded containers with a plastic shrink film to complete the package, followed by release of the containers from the bond to base member within minutes after shrink wrapping, with the adhesive remaining bonded to the base member.

Abstract: A temporary packaging method and a resultant package are provided for comprising temporarily bonding containers on a flat base member to stabilize the containers for further packaging, the method comprising the steps of providing a base member, providing containers, temporarily bonding the containers to the base member with a hot melt adhesive, advancing the base member with containers through the packaging or handling system so that further processing of the containers may optionally be effected, encapsulating the base member and bonded containers with a plastic shrink film to complete the package, followed by release of the containers from the bond to base member within minutes after shrink wrapping, with the adhesive remaining bonded to the base member.

Abstract: Improved package assemblies for containers, the packaging assemblies comprising a rigid base member having at least one row of containers removably secured to the base member by frangible adhesive, a cover member and a film of plastic material passing over the base member, the containers and the cover member and secured to itself to further secure the containers in assembly therewith.