Abstract: A subsystem for orienting articles, the subsystem comprising a tool assembly comprising a carriage. A tool head has a first and a second article gripper rotationally coupled thereto. A first drive mechanism is coupled to the first article gripper. A second drive mechanism is coupled to the second article gripper. A sensor is configured to observe two adjacent articles. A controller is provided in communication with the first and second drive mechanisms and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine the orientation of each of the two adjacent articles and to control the first and second drive mechanisms to rotate each of the two adjacent articles to a predefined orientation.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier, and a blank (810) for forming the article carrier. An aspect of the invention provides an article carrier comprising a plurality of primary panels (812,814,816) at least partially extending around an interior of the article carrier. The plurality of primary panels comprises a first side panel (812), a top panel (814), a second side pane (816)1 and at least one bottom panel joined together to form a tubular structure having first and second opposed open ends. The article carrier comprises a carrying handle (H) including a handle feature defined in at least the top panel and foldable handle structure (HS) having opposed connecting panels and a handle strap. The handle strap extends (882) between the connecting panels.

Abstract: A device for erecting a flat collapsed carrier, the device comprising a shaft (46) having a longitudinal axis (a). A hub (27) is mounted to the shaft. At least one limb (16a-c) is rotationally mounted to the hub by a pivot coupling. A tool head (14a-c) is mounted to the limb. A drive motor is coupled to the shaft for rotating the hub about the longitudinal axis. The device comprises a first drive mechanism for rotating the at least one limb with respect to the hub such that the distance between the tool head and longitudinal axis can be adjusted.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging machine for packaging articles, apparatus for a packaging machine and to a method of packaging articles. The packaging machine comprises an article manipulation apparatus. The article manipulation apparatus comprises a first conveyor for conveying packages. The packages each comprises a carton having at least one displaceable article disposed therein. An article orientation device comprises a tool head movable synchronously in a downstream direction with the first conveyor. The tool head has at least one article gripper for engaging with a displaceable article in the carton. The at least one article gripper is rotatably mounted to the tool head. An article displacement device comprises at least one article displacement tool. The article displacement tool is receivable in an opening in a carton to engage and displace the displaceable article such that it protrudes through a second opening in said carton.

Abstract: A carrier for packaging one or more articles, includes outer walls (12, 16, 18, 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b) which define an interior of the carrier. An intermediate wall (30a, 30b) at least partially segregates the interior of the carrier in a first direction. A partition structure (50a, 52a) divides the interior of the carrier in a second transverse direction. The partition structure is struck, at least in part, from one (16) of the outer walls. The partition structure is configured and arranged to be automatically erected in the interior of the carrier in response to unfolding a flat collapsed folded blank when the carrier is erected.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to an applicator plate (10) for use in an apparatus (80) for attaching a set of frangibly adjoined top engaging clips (110) to a group of articles ‘C’. The applicator plate (10) having a generally planar body; and a plurality of apertures (16a-26f) within the body. Each aperture (16a-26f) has a series of internal walls (16i-16x) arranged such that each aperture (16a-26f) has a polygonal shape.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a top engaging carrier formed from a paperboard substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, with a polymer film laminated onto the first surface.

Abstract: A top-engaging carrier includes a top panel (18a) and a sloping shoulder panel (16a) hinged to the top panel by a first fold line (21a). The first fold line is interrupted by at least two curved cut lines (40a) such that by folding the shoulder panel about the first fold line, an article-engaging edge is defined by each of the at least two curved cut lines. The shoulder panel includes a stress-reducing second fold line (29a) extending alongside at least a part of the first fold line.

Abstract: A conveyor system for grouping containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers of various dimensions a first star wheel and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a third star wheel and a fourth star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers, wherein the first travel path and the second travel path are substantially similar.

Abstract: A blank (1)0 for forming an article carrier (90) has a main panel (12) which includes at least one article retention structure R1 having an aperture A1 defined in the main panel and one or more tabs formed about a periphery of the aperture in the main panel. The one or more tabs are connected to the main panel such that the tabs yield out of the plane of the main panel when an article is received in the aperture to bear against the article. The main panel includes a paperboard substrate and at least one polymeric layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an engagement collar to a group of articles, which includes an application area defining a horizontal support surface for receiving a group of articles, a horizontal press plate positioned above the support surface and mounted for vertical movement relative to the support surface, and an actuation assembly operatively connected to the press plate for moving the press plate relative to the support surface to apply an engagement collar to the group of articles positioned on the support surface within the application area, wherein the actuation assembly includes an actuation lever that is located below the press plate and in front of the application area to provide an ergonomic work environment.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an apparatus and method of packaging one or more articles. The device being adapted to applying a plurality of top-engaging carriers to a plurality of groups of articles simultaneously. The device comprises a metering base for facilitating arranging a plurality of articles into groups of articles and an applicator for pressing top-engaging carriers onto groups of articles. The metering base comprises a spacer structure for maintaining a predetermined space between each group of articles and at least a next adjacent group of articles; and a first aligning feature. The applicator comprises an applicator plate having a plurality of receiving cavities each for receiving a top of an article and a second aligning feature for engaging the first aligning feature for sliding movement with each other.

Abstract: A carton for packaging one or more articles includes an extendible handle. The handle includes at least one handle panel and a collapsible structure. The collapsible structure couples the at least one handle panel to a main body of the carton. The collapsible structure comprises a pair of hinged panels. The hinged panels include an inner panel hingedly connected by a first fold line to an outer panel. The inner panel is hingedly connected to the main body of the carton. The outer panel is hingedly connected to the at least one handle panel. The collapsible tubular structure further includes an expansion facilitator which has at least one tab coupled to one of the inner and outer panels. The at least one tab interrupts the first fold line.

Abstract: An exemplary web of preformed bags includes first and second layers, first and second side, first and second side seals proximate the first and second edges, a plurality of transverse seals extending between the first and second side edges, an opening in the first layer, and a line of separation in the second layer, and first and second cuts in the first and second side seals. The first and second cuts are configured to reduce or eliminate a breaking force necessary to break the first and second side seals when the web is torn along the line of separation.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a double seam modification tooling apparatus for double seam modification and the double seam modification process. More particularly, a tooling apparatus for double seam modification is provided which adds a third modification operation to the first and second double seam operations which form the finished double seam, as well as a process for modifying double seams to include patterns of integral slots, notches or threads, or the like, after the double seams have been previously completely formed by the double seam modification tooling apparatus. Child resistant lids can then be configured with mating tab notches or tab threads to allow for opening or closing the lid when the tabs are properly aligned with the notches and threads on the can rim modified double seams.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for making packages from a web of interconnected bags includes an indexing mechanism, an opening arrangement, a pair of engagement devices, and a sealing arrangement. The indexing mechanism is configured to move the web of interconnected bags along a path of travel. The opening arrangement is configured to open a bag such that an opening is formed in the bag and a product can be placed into the opening of the bag. The pair of engagement devices are configured to engage the bag and close the opening of the bag. Each engagement device includes a base member, a first link, a second link, a sliding pivot member, and a finger. The first link is pivotably connected to the base member, and the second link is pivotably connected to the first link. The sliding pivot member is configured to allow the second link to slide through the sliding pivot member and pivot in relation to the base member. The finger is connected to the second link.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier for packaging a plurality of flanged articles, a blank for forming the article carrier. The article carrier comprises a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior thereof. The plurality of primary panels includes a first panel and a second panel opposing the first panel. The article carrier further comprises a partition structure for dividing the interior into two or more article-receiving cells. The partition structure is formed from the first panel and comprises a lateral partition panel. The lateral partition panel is hingedly connected at a proximal end to the first panel by a proximal end fold line and is hingedly connected at a distal end to a glue panel by a distal end joint. The distal end joint between the lateral partition panel and the glue panel comprises a twistable strip extending between and joined with the lateral partition panel and the glue panel.

Abstract: A carrier (190, 90) comprising a plurality of main panels (18, 20, 22, 24, 26) forming outer walls and defining an interior chamber, the plurality of main panels comprise a first side panel (20, 120), a second side panel (24, 124), first end panel (18, 118), second end panel (64, 164), third end panel (70, 170) and fourth end panel (82, 182). The first and fourth end panels form a composite end wall of the carrier. The second and third end walls form a second composite end wall of the carrier. The second end wall is hingedly connected to the third end wall by a first fold line (21, 121). The interior chamber is divided into two or more cells by a partition structure. The partition structure comprises a first handle panel (14, 114) hingedly connected along a first side edge to an end panel.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier is formed from a set of connected blanks each of which form a top engaging carrier, wherein the blanks are detachably connected together in a matrix fashion wherein each blank has a plurality of top-receiving apertures wherein a first distance (D1) between the respective centres of two adjacent ones of the apertures of a first blank is less than a second distance (D2) between the centre of a corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a second blank and wherein the first distance (D1) is less than a third distance (D3) between the centre of the corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a third blank.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more articles, a blank for forming the carton and a method of packaging articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels forming walls of a tubular structure including a top wall, a first side wall, a base wall, and a second side wall. An end closure structure at least partially closes an end of the tubular structure. The end closure structure includes: a top end closure flap having a handle opening forming a carrying handle; a side end closure flap coupled to one of the first and second side walls; and a web panel interconnecting the top end closure flap to the side end closure flap. The web panel is hingedly connected to the top end closure flap and is hingedly connected to the side end closure flap along a fold line.