Abstract: A water activated tape system includes a tape roller, a water bottle, and a first wipedown mechanism. The tape roller is configured to dispense water activated tape. The water bottle is configured provide liquid to wet the water activated tape. The first wipedown mechanism is configured to press the water activated tape onto a carton. The first wipedown mechanism includes a first hinged arm, a first roller, disposed at a first end of the first hinged arm, a second hinged arm, and a second roller, disposed at a first end of the second hinged arm.

Abstract: A WAT carton sealing apparatus utilizes a top carton sealing assembly and a bottom carton sealing assembly to improve the speed at which cartons are sealed. The top carton sealing assembly moves vertically with respect to the bottom carton sealing assembly to seal cartons of different heights. The top carton sealing assembly may utilize top and bottom carton feeder assemblies, top and bottom tape applicator assemblies, and top and bottom WAT tape head assemblies. The feeder assemblies at least partially feed a carton through the carton sealing apparatus by engaging the top and bottom of the carton. The WAT tape head assemblies apply the water to the WAT tape and feed the WAT tape during application to the carton, while dual first and second top tape applicator assemblies and dual first and second bottom tape applicator assemblies are used to apply a double application of WAT tape to the carton.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a continuous, low-shear process for the compounding and starch. In one aspect of the disclosure, the starch may be applied directly as a web, film, or layer, for example, in a tape product.

Abstract: Described is a release composition comprising a polymer backbone with at least one C18-C22 alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer units, at least one C1-C6 alkyl (meth)acrylate methacrylate monomer units, and at least one styrenic monomer unit, and method of manufacture of the composition. Tape products incorporating the release composition as a release layer are also described.

Abstract: A cartoning machine including a carton supply station (e.g., a rotary carton supply station, a linear carton supply station, a non-linear carton supply station, or the like) and a handling station operatively coupled to the carton supply station. The carton supply station provides, on a selective basis, cartons, such as carton blanks, pre-formed cartons, or the like. The carton supply station of the cartoning machine provides for movement of magazines with respect to a robot in the handling station that may have a distal end secured in a stationary and fixed location. As such, different magazines with dissimilar cartons may be moved to a picking location adjacent the robot, as dissimilar cartons are required. Further, the cartons within the magazines may be moved to a pre-determined pick-up location such that the robot is repeatably picking a carton from the pre-determine pick-up location.

Abstract: An output chute safety mechanism includes an output chute, an output chute valve door, and an upstream valve door. The output chute includes a proximal end and a distal end. The output chute valve door includes a first configuration that obstructs the output chute and a second configuration that does not obstruct the output chute. The upstream valve door includes a first configuration that prevents the output chute valve door from being disposed in its second configuration and a second configuration that permits the output chute valve door to be disposed in its second configuration.

Abstract: A tape applicator consistent with the present disclosure may include a tape applicator configured for applying a tape, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a carton (e.g., for sealing and/or assembling the carton). One or more rollers may be utilized to aid in applying the pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a carton. Furthermore, a wiper aids in applying pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a carton (e.g., before and/or after the one or more rollers). The wiper may be a split wiper having a first portion and a second portion, which allows for applying adhesive tape to a carton when the carton is under-packed or over-packed, and thus, the flaps of the carton are not level with respect to each other (e.g., the edges are not located in the same plane).

Abstract: A tape applicator consistent with the present disclosure may include a tape applicator configured for applying a tape, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a carton (e.g., for sealing and/or assembling the carton). One or more rollers may be utilized to aid in applying the pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a carton. Furthermore, a wiper aids in applying pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a carton (e.g., before and/or after the one or more rollers). The wiper may be a split wiper having a first portion and a second portion, which allows for applying adhesive tape to a carton when the carton is under-packed or over-packed, and thus, the flaps of the carton are not level with respect to each other (e.g., the edges are not located in the same plane).

Abstract: Repulpable water-activated tapes, in particular reinforced laminated, water-activated paper tapes and methods of making the same are disclosed. The repulpable water-activated tape includes an outermost paper layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, a reinforcement adjacent to the bottom surface of the outermost paper layer, an innermost paper layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface of the innermost paper later adjacent to the reinforcement, at least a portion of a starch-based laminating adhesive disposed about each of the outermost paper layer, reinforcement, and innermost paper layer, and a water-activated adhesive adjacent to the bottom surface of the innermost paper layer. A repulpable starch-based laminating adhesive and tape comprising same is also described.

Abstract: A water activated tape and method of producing is provided, the tape comprising a repulpable material, a water-soluble material affixed to the repulpable material, and a water activated adhesive layer affixed to the water-soluble material.

Abstract: A water activated tape and method of producing is provided, the tape comprising a repulpable material, a water-soluble material affixed to the repulpable material, and a water activated adhesive layer affixed to the water-soluble material.

Abstract: A void fill system may be used to scan a carton before, during, or after pre-fill material is dispensed into the carton, one or more products are packaged into the carton, and/or when void fill material is dispensed to the carton having the one or more products. The void fill system may include one or more sensors, which may be used identify the carton and/or identify the carton volume. The one or more sensors may also be used to identify the current carton volume (e.g., of the products, fill material, etc.). The information captured by the void fill system may be used to determine a proposed packaging recipe (e.g., suggest a carton, void fill, product configuration, etc.) based on supplier or customer preferences, product information, shipping information, or the like, to provide a notification with recommendations regarding the packaging process, and/or to automatically dispense void fill material.

Abstract: An improved mailer folding apparatus that forms mailers from mailer blanks. The mailer folding apparatus comprises a transport assembly and one or more folding assemblies. The transport assembly moves mailer blanks and/or mailers through the mailer folding apparatus. The one or more folding assemblies may each comprise a folding system and a carriage system. The folding system may selectively allow for the folding of a mailer blank into a mailer. A carriage of the carriage system may move the folding system longitudinally between different positions relative to the transport assembly. An engagement system separate from the carriage system or integrated into the carriage system may engage and disengage the folding system with the transport system for selectively feeding a mailer blank through the folding system, or disengage the folding system for allowing a mailer blank or folded mailer to bypass the folding system.

Abstract: A tape applicator consistent with the present disclosure may include a tape applicator configured for applying a tape, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a carton (e.g., for sealing and/or assembling the carton). One or more rollers may be utilized to aid in applying the pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a carton. Furthermore, a wiper aids in applying pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a carton (e.g., before and/or after the one or more rollers). The wiper may be a split wiper having a first portion and a second portion, which allows for applying adhesive tape to a carton when the carton is under-packed or over-packed, and thus, the flaps of the carton are not level with respect to each other (e.g., the edges are not located in the same plane).

Abstract: A packaging apparatus (e.g., otherwise described as a mailer apparatus with a material feeder assembly, a product supply assembly, a folding assembly, a sealing assembly, and/or a packaging apparatus system (e.g., including a controller thereof) for controlling the operation of the packaging apparatus. The packaging apparatus is configured for delivering products and material at the same time, and forming a package (e.g., a mailer, or other package) directly around the products. A material feeder assembly of the packaging apparatus supplies material for packaging and a folding assembly receives the plurality of products and folds the material around the products. The sealing assembly seals the material around the at least one product to form packages (e.g., makes a longitudinal seam, forms a transverse seam, and/or separates the material at the transverse seam).

Abstract: A cartoning machine including a carton supply station (e.g., a rotary carton supply station, a linear carton supply station, a non-linear carton supply station, or the like) and a handling station operatively coupled to the carton supply station. The carton supply station provides, on a selective basis, cartons, such as carton blanks, pre-formed cartons, or the like. The carton supply station of the cartoning machine provides for movement of magazines with respect to a robot in the handling station that may have a distal end secured in a stationary and fixed location. As such, different magazines with dissimilar cartons may be moved to a picking location adjacent the robot, as dissimilar cartons are required. Further, the cartons within the magazines may be moved to a pre-determined pick-up location such that the robot is repeatably picking a carton from the pre-determine pick-up location.

Abstract: A mailer machine including a mailer supply station (e.g., a rotary mailer supply station, a linear mailer supply station, a non-linear mailer supply station, or the like) and a handling station operatively coupled to the mailer supply station. The mailer supply station provides, on a selective basis, mailers having different attributes. The mailer supply station of the mailer machine provides for movement of magazines with respect to a robot in the handling station that may have a distal end secured in a stationary and fixed location. As such, different magazines with dissimilar mailers may be moved to a picking location adjacent the robot, as dissimilar mailers are required. Further, the mailers within the magazines may be moved to a pre-determined pick-up location such that the robot is repeatably picking a mailer from the pre-determine pick-up location.

Abstract: A fluid-fillable air cushion or mailer comprising a first layer comprising a repulpable material, a laminate comprising at least two water-soluble material layers, the laminate adjacently affixed to the first layer; and an air fillable portion integral with the laminate, and method of making same are disclosed.

Abstract: A padded mailer includes an outer shipping pocket, having a first opening, and an inner shipping pocket, having a second opening. The inner shipping pocket is disposed within the outer shipping pocket at the first opening. The inner shipping pocket includes a plurality of standoffs disposed away from an outer surface of the inner shipping pocket and towards an inner surface of the outer shipping pocket.

Abstract: A tape applicator consistent with the present disclosure may include a tape applicator configured for applying a tape, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a carton (e.g., for sealing and/or assembling the carton). One or more rollers may be utilized to aid in applying the pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a carton. Furthermore, a wiper aids in applying pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a carton (e.g., before and/or after the one or more rollers). The wiper may be a split wiper having a first portion and a second portion, which allows for applying adhesive tape to a carton when the carton is under-packed or over-packed, and thus, the flaps of the carton are not level with respect to each other (e.g., the edges are not located in the same plane).