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).

Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles such as cans, the carton comprises a pair of side walls, a bottom wall, a top wall and end closure panels for at least partially closing the ends of the carton, wherein the top wall is of multi-ply construction and the carton further comprises an access means defined by a series of weakened lines in the top, side and end walls, the access means including at least one initiating means formed in the top wall, each initiating means including a pair of weakened lines which form a displaceable tab and each initiating means being of single-ply construction to facilitate easy opening of the carton access means.

Abstract: A package (10) includes a plurality of articles (B) that are disposed on their sides in a matrix arrangement that includes a plurality of rows (R1, R2, R3) and columns (C1, C2, C3, C4). A lower row (R1) of articles (B) defines a dispensing position (P1) for each column (C1, C2, C3, C4) and upper rows (R2, R3) of articles (B) define descending positions (P2, P3) for each column (C1, C2, C3, C4). A carton (500) encloses the articles (B) and includes a detachable portion (1115, 1315) that can be detached along a severance line (1110, 1310) to expose the articles in the dispensing positions (P1). Inserts (400, 800, 1000) are provided to facilitate dispensing the articles, to control the rate of descent of articles moving from the descending positions (P2, P3) toward the dispensing positions (P1), and/or to provide insulation between the articles as they move toward the dispensing positions (P1).

Abstract: A carton for packaging articles can be carried and unloaded in an upright condition. The carton is formed as an elongated tubular structure with opposed open ends. An end wall partially closes the first open end. At least one edge of the end wall is free from the tubular structure so as to define an open region therebetween that facilitates grasping the end wall for removal of the end wall to reveal the articles for dispensing. A handle formed from at least one aperture is positioned proximate to the detachable end wall to facilitate carrying of the carton in an upright condition with the dispensing end up. An end flap is hingedly connected to the tubular structure includes a second aperture that is reinforcingly aligned with the first aperture.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes an article conveyor for transporting articles in a flow direction and a plunger assembly for displacing articles from the article conveyor. The plunger assembly is supported and positioned by a system that includes a frame assembly and a pressure sensitive coupling as means for releasably fixing the position of the plunger assembly. The frame assembly includes a first frame structure that is attached to the plunger assembly and a second frame structure. The first frame structure and the second frame structure are slidably coupled to one another such that a resistive force that overcomes the holding power of the pressure sensitive coupling will cause the first frame structure to slide and translate the plunger assembly out of its operating position in which it can displace the articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bituminous compositions suitable for use in paving applications containing bitumen emulsion of performance-grade bitumen that is substantially free of volatile solvents and made by controlling temperature-dependent interfacial rheology through the use of selected emulsifiers. The invention bituminous paving compositions are suitable for the construction of load-bearing pavements with improved compaction to densities similar or superior to those achieved in the conventional hot mix bituminous paving compositions. Cure rate of the invention bituminous compositions is higher than those of cold mix bitumen emulsion-based paving compositions, and at least equal to those of hot mix bituminous paving compositions. Additionally, the invention bituminous compositions develop adhesive strength and load-bearing strength properties at rates comparable to those of hot mix bituminous paving compositions, and at rates faster than those of cold mix bituminous paving compositions.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus in an automated packaging process, for sealing a carton having minor flaps and a bottom end flap, comprising: means for holding the minor flaps in a closed position; and a cycle stop compression plate for, upon the occurrence of a cycle stop operation, folding the bottom end flap over the minor flaps and holding the bottom end flap in place until the carton is sealed.

Abstract: A device for opening pre-glued, pre-folded sleeves into cartons. The device includes a cam wheel (20) to which are connected one or more suction arms (22). The cam wheel can be controlled to rotated at different angular velocities. A first angular velocity allows sleeves comprising a certain number of panels to be opened, and a second angular velocity allows sleeves of a different number of panels to be opened.

Abstract: A carton, having reinforced handle openings which define handles, includes a tubular structure that is formed from multiple walls. An edge flap connects two of the walls. The carton also includes end closures at each open end of the tubular structure. The end closures each include end flaps that have features that define the handles. The end closures also include edge flap reinforcing panels that are hingedly connected to the edge flap and further define the handle. Specifically, a reinforcing edge of the edge flap reinforcing panel is disposed in reinforcing proximity to a handle opening so as to reinforce at least a weight bearing edge of the handle opening to define a handle with a multi-ply thick weight bearing edge.

Abstract: A reinforced handle is provided in an end wall closure of a substantially tubular carton by forming a handle opening in a top end flap, and by aligning the handle opening with corresponding cutouts formed in respective side end flaps. Each cutout is provided with reinforcing flaps that align with at least the weight bearing edge of the handle opening. Each reinforcing flap is formed from the respective side end flap and folded out of the plane of the respective side end flap to be in face contacting relationship with that side end flap. Each reinforcing flap aligns its edge with the weight bearing edge of the handle opening. In this manner, the material at the weight bearing edge of the handle opening is at least three plies thick.

Abstract: A reinforced handle is provided in an end wall closure of a sleeve type carton by forming a handle aperture in a top end flap, and by aligning the handle aperture with corresponding cutouts formed in respective side end flaps, each cutout being reinforced with one or more reinforcing panels that align with at least its weight bearing edge. Each reinforcing panel is hingedly attached to the respective side end flap to be foldable along the hinged connection and secured in a face contacting arrangement, whereby the reinforcing panel overlies the cutout as an overlay panel, or aligns its edge with the weight bearing edge of the cutout. In this manner, the material at the weight bearing edge of the cutout is at least two plies thick. When the carton is fully erected and sealed, the reinforced cutout is in registry with the handle aperture, thereby creating the reinforced handle.

Abstract: A wrap-around style or end-loaded carton for enclosing articles such as cans in multiple rows is formed from a single blank of sheet material, and includes a three-ply top wall and an integrated composite handle that is centrally located so as to balance the load in the carton when the handle is raised to an upright position. The top wall includes an outer panel, and intermediate panel, and an inner top panel, each hingedly connected to another. The composite handle is struck from the outer panel and the intermediate panel and is liberated or partially detachable therefrom so as to be hingedly connected to the top wall, and rotatable to an upright position. When the handle is raised, at least a portion of each edge of the top wall is reinforced by at least one additional layer of carton material, and thus, is at least two plies thick.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an end closure structure of a carton. The end closure structure is formed from minor end flaps and major end flaps. The apparatus includes a carton conveyor for transferring the carton in a flow direction along a carton conveyor path, a major end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the major end flaps in an outwardly upright position, a minor end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the minor end flaps in an inwardly folded position, and a gluing station for applying adhesive to the major and minor end flaps.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an end closure structure of a carton. The end closure structure is formed from minor end flaps and major end flaps. The apparatus includes a carton conveyor for transferring the carton in a flow direction along a carton conveyor path, a major end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the major end flaps in an outwardly upright position, a minor end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the minor end flaps in an inwardly folded position, and a gluing station for applying adhesive to the major and minor end flaps.

Abstract: A substantially tubular end-loadable carton (200) comprising a top wall (212), an inwardly-extending structure (X2) foldably adjoining said top wall (212) stowable in a substantially flat-face position with an underside of said top wall (212), and a top end flap (X1) connected to said inwardly-extending structure is translated in a direction (F) and a flap deflector (310) is disposed to engage and deflect the end flap (X1a) downwardly and thereby cause the inwardly-extending structure (X2a) to pivot upwardly inside the carton (200) into substantially flat-face position with the underside of the top wall (212) of the carton (200).

Abstract: A packaging machine having a folding apparatus for closing an end of an end loaded carton that includes leading and trailing side end flaps. The packaging machine includes a carton conveyor for transporting a carton in a flow direction along a carton path. The folding apparatus includes a lug assembly that has at least one folding lug that travels along an endless lug path. The folding lug travels in the flow direction and in parallel to the carton path along at least a portion of the lug path such that the folding lug can operate in concert with separation guide and a combination guide to fold the leading and trailing side end flaps in the desired sequence.

Abstract: A packaging machine (10) includes a lane assembly (12) that includes one or more lanes (L) which guide cylindrical articles (B), such as cans or bottles, across a series of substantially parallel conveyors. The lane assembly (12) includes an adjustable guide bar (34) which defines an adjustable portion (V) of the lane (L) that can be adjusted to adapt to the diameter of articles (B). The lane assembly (12) also includes lane extensions (70) that can be adjusted to control the position of rows or articles (B) as the articles (B) exit the lanes (L) onto a conveyor (20).

Abstract: Dispensing aids (100, 500, 1300, 2000) are provided to facilitate removing articles (B) from cartons (200, 600, 1500, 2100) having openings (O) that function as article dispensers. The dispensing aids (100, 500, 1300, 2000) engaging at least the articles (B) furthest from the opening (O) with means for engaging. The means for engaging includes an article engaging portion such as a top engaging collar (102), a bottom engaging sled (502), a side engaging crossbar (1310), or a belt (2002). The means for engaging is displaced toward the opening (O) of the carton by a means for displacing. The means for displacing may be a grip (104, 504, 1304, 2004) or strap (906). As the grip, strap, or other means for displacing the article engaging portion is pulled, the article engaging portion is drawn toward the opening (O) as are the articles that are engaged.

Abstract: A blank for forming a carton of the end loading type for containing a plurality of beverage cans, the capacity of the carton can be increased to accommodate the insertion of ice-cubes into the carton for cooling the beverage cans contained therein, the blank for forming the carton, including a series of main panels including at least one top panel, one of the top panels having a tear strip and thereby being separable into two parts, the blank further including end extension panels, wherein upon constructing the blank into the set up carton, separating the top panel, by deploying the tear strip, allows each end extension panel and each of the separated parts of the top panel to be raised above the tops of the beverage cans to increase the capacity of the carton to accommodate the insertion of ice cubes.

Abstract: An infeed station for conveying and positioning a stack of carton blanks for sequential removal by a carton feeder, for automatically adjusting the rate of advancement of the carton blanks to compensate for excessive tilting and gaps between the carton blanks, and for providing alerts to signal the need for operator intervention or automatic shutdown. The infeed station includes a hopper and a magazine that receives carton blanks from the hopper. The magazine includes a sensing mechanism including a control sensor and a warning sensor mounted in proximity to the carton blanks in the infeed station, and a processor that, according to a condition signaled by the sensing mechanism, controls the rate at which advancing belts advance a queue of carton blanks toward the magazine.