Abstract: A carton includes one or more fold-guiding mechanisms. Each fold-guiding mechanism is positioned to facilitate folding of the carton. Each fold-guiding mechanism comprises two weakened lines that diverge from a first location on the carton and that converge on a second location on the carton.

Abstract: A carton includes a handle (160) for carrying the carton. The handle includes a handle flap (162a) with a main portion (174a), first (178a) and second (180a) gussets, and an end portion (176a). The main portion is hingedly connected to the first gusset along a first fold line (182a), the first gusset is hingedly connected to the second gusset along a second fold line (184a), and the second gusset is hingedly connected to the first end portion along a third fold line (120).

Abstract: An article configuration system comprising a first conveyor (90) for transferring articles (B) from an input and a second conveyor (88), disposed at a non-linear angle relative to the first conveyor, for transferring articles to an output. The article processing system comprises a mechanism (30) for transferring articles from the first conveyor (90) to the second conveyor (88). The mechanism (30) is structured and arranged to facilitate the reorganization of articles conveyed by the first conveyor such that when transferred to the second conveyor the articles are disposed in adjacent metered lanes (124a-124f) and wherein the number of adjacent metered lanes of articles conveyed by the second conveyor (88) is greater than the number of adjacent lanes of articles (100, 102) conveyed by the first conveyor.

Abstract: A carton has a wall including overlapping portions of an outside panel and an inside panel. The outside panel includes an outside handle flap defined by an outside severance line while the inside panel includes an inside handle flap defined by an inside severance line. At least a portion of the outside severance line is in substantial registry with at least a portion of the inside severance line where the outside panel overlaps the inside panel. The inside handle flap includes a relief severance line extending from the inside severance line such that the relief severance line divides the inside handle flap into a delamination section and the other section. The relief severance line is configured to initiate delamination of at least the delamination section of the inside handle flap. The structure is at least partially detachable from the carton along the outside and inside severance lines.

Abstract: A carton with at least one rounded corner includes a bottom panel for supporting lower ends of substantially cylindrical articles, four side panels, at least one corner panel extending from one of the opposed side edges of a first one of the four side panels, and at least one glue strip extending from the at least one corner panel. The at least one glue strip includes at least one glue tab extending from the proximal edge of the at least one glue strip. The at least one glue tab is secured in a face contacting arrangement to a second one of the four side panels so as to connect the first one of the four side panels to the second one of the four side panels.

Abstract: An arrangement for locking together two panels (50, 60) the arrangement comprising a first and second male tabs (39a, 39b) and a first and second female tabs (43) wherein the first and second male tabs are hinged to a first panel by a first and second hinged connection (41) respectively, and the first female tabs are hinged to a second panel by a third hinged connection the first and second hinged connections being divergent with respect to one another.

Abstract: A carton for packaging articles includes a plurality of panels arranged to form walls of the carton and at least one handle structure that comprises a pair of inner and outer handle panels hingedly connected together along a fold line. The inner and outer handle panels are in an overlapping relationship. Each of the inner and outer handle panels has a transverse edge at a position opposite to the fold line. The inner handle panel is disposed in an overlapping relationship with a first one of the plurality of panels. The outer handle panel is disposed adjacent to a second one of the plurality of panels. One of the transverse edges is connected to one of the first and second panels. The fold line is interrupted by an aperture defined at least in part by a first edge of the aperture. The first edge defines a carrying edge of the at least one handle structure.

Abstract: A carton (12) includes a first wall (22) and a second wall (20). The first wall (22) includes a first edge (21) and a second edge (23) that are opposed to one another. The first wall (22) and the second wall (20) are adjoined along the first edge (21). The carton (12) includes a handle (30). The handle (30) includes a handle opening (80) that is elongated along a longitudinal axis that extends transversely to the first edge (21). The handle opening (80) is configured to be engaged no closer to the second edge (23) than to the first edge (21).

Abstract: A machine for forming a stream of articles into spaced groups of articles, which machine has a working reach and a metering element for being brought into contact with an article passing in a stream, into the working reach, which metering element is driven by a drive means, wherein a speed at which the metering element is driven, is retarded as the metering element enters the working reach without retarding the drive means.

Abstract: A carton for articles includes a top wall, a pair of opposed end walls and a strap handle by which the carton can be carried. The strap handle is formed from part of the top wall and is connected to the end walls. The strap handle is detachable from the top wall such that detachment of the strap handle splits a remaining part of the top wall into two portions. The carton further comprises at least one bracing panel secured to the two portions of the top wall and is structured and arranged to provide a connection between the two portions.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for locking first and second panels of a carton together includes first and second male tabs hinged along first and second fold lines respectively to the first panel. The male tabs are arranged so as to oppose one another. The mechanism also includes first and second female tabs hinged along third and fourth fold lines respectively to the second panel. The female tabs are arranged so as to oppose one another. The first and second fold lines are substantially perpendicular to the third and fourth fold lines when the first and second panels are disposed in an overlapping relationship. In a locked position, the male tabs are displaced from the plane of the first panel and pass through an aperture formed in the second panel by displacement of the female tabs. Each male tab is displaced out of the plane of the first panel by an angle greater than 90° and being maintained in position by respective side edges of the female tabs.

Abstract: A two-part (1, 2, 102, 118) transporting and vending package (52, 152) for containing and displaying articles (A). The articles are grouped and disposed upon the first part (1), which is augment by the second part (2) to give the package sufficient structural integrity to resist compressive forces being transmitted to the articles when the package is stacked with other such packages. The second part also restricts access to the articles. The package also comprises a releasable retaining means (24, 124) provided to maintain the first and second parts as a unit until access to the articles is required. The retaining means can be manipulated to deprive the package of its initial structural integrity and to provide improved access to the articles to facilitate vending.

Abstract: A carton is defined for packaging a plurality of articles. The carton includes a plurality of carton walls at least one of which includes a slot handle that comprises at least one foldable hand flap. The at least one foldable hand flap has an article receiving section for receiving a portion of an article in the carton when the at least one foldable hand flap is folded inwardly of the carton.

Abstract: A carton for packaging a plurality of articles includes top (214, 314) and bottom (218/220, 318/320) panels connected together by spaced side wall panels thereby forming a tubular structure and a set of end panels for at least partially closing each end of the tubular structure. Each set of end panels includes a pair of upper end closure panels (232a, 232b, 332a, 332b), a pair of lower end closure panels (226a, 226b, 326a, 326b) hinged to respective lower portions of the side wall panels respectively and a pair of securing panels (224a, 224b, 324a, 324b) hingedly connected to respective upper portions of the side wall panels respectively. The upper end closure panels (232a, 232b, 332a, 332b) are hingedly connected respectively to the securing panels by respective connecting panels (230a, 230b, 340a, 340b). The upper end closure panels are coupled to the lower end closure panels respectively.

Abstract: A carton for a group of bottles arranged in rows is of substantially tubular structure comprising a bottom panel (18), a first side panel (16), a top panel (14), a second side wall panel (12) and end closure panels for at least partially closing the ends of the carton. The carton has an access means, integrally formed in the carton walls and is defined by a weakened line of severance (3). The access means provides a means for accessing the bottles contained within the carton while providing means for retaining the articles to prevent them from being inadvertently dislodged. The access means being formed so that the carton can be oriented to sit on either its bottom panel or the second side panel while articles are accessed via an opening in the first side wall panel.

Abstract: A handle structure includes a reinforcing flap struck from a handle panel to define at least a part of a handle opening for insertion of a user's hand. The reinforcing flap comprises a first portion and a second portion connected to one another by a narrow portion defined by an indent in a free edge of the reinforcing flap.

Abstract: A packaging machine (10) comprising two or more packaging subsystems each capable of packaging articles (A) into a carton, wherein the packaging subsystems share a common source of articles (11) to be packaged and at least one transfer mechanism 5 (22) is provided for transferring articles (A) from the common source to any of the two or more packaging subsystems.

Abstract: A reinforced carton handle structure includes a carton wall panel (16) hinged along a first fold line (40) to a linear series of at least two reinforcing panels (26, 32, 34) hinged one to the next. Each of the carton wall panel (16) and reinforcing panels (26, 32, 34) includes an aperture or recess (54, 56) for forming a handle opening. One of the reinforcing panels (26) in the linear series is hinged to a next reinforcing panel (32) of the linear series about a second fold line (87a, 87b) that is closer to the first fold line (40) than an edge of the one reinforcing panel (26) which edge is furthest from the first fold line (40).

Abstract: A lug chain apparatus having lugs (22), an endless chain (30) and a positioning mechanism (20). The lugs (22) are releasably engageable with the chain (30). The positioning wheel (20) engages the lugs (22) and moves them along the chain (30), to predetermined locations along the chain respectively. Each lug (22) includes locking mechanism (24, 26, 31) that holds that lug (22) in a predetermined location along the chain (30) when in a locking state, and allows movement of that lug (22) along said chain (30) when in a releasing state, such that repositioning of the lugs (22) along the chain (30) is effected without removal of the lugs (22) from the chain (30).

Abstract: A carton (130) for packaging cylindrical articles, the carton (130) including a plurality of primary panels (120, 122, 124, 125) for forming the walls of the carton (130), end flaps (118a, 118b, 126a, 126b, 128a, 128b, 119a, 119b) for forming end closure structures (132, 134) of the carton (130), and handle panels (160, 162) and handle end flaps (182a, 182b, 183a, 183b) for forming a handle structure (160/162). The handle structure (160/162) and a panel (125) define a pocket that can be engaged by a user's hand (H1) to carry the carton (130). The carton (130) further including features that facilitate flexing of the handle structure (160/162) including fold lines (178) and cut lines (C2, C3).