Abstract: A carrier (90) for packaging articles is formed from a single unitary blank (10). The carrier includes primary panels (14, 16, 18, 20) hingedly connected together to form a tubular structure having an interior space. A bottom closure structure (30b, 34b) at least partially closes a lower end of the tubular structure. At least one of the primary panels (16, 20) may include a handle (H1, H2). A handle reinforcing panel (30a, 34a) is secured to the inside surface of the at least one of the primary panels. A partition structure (P1, P2) is hingedly connected to the handle reinforcing panel and disposed in the tubular structure to divide the interior space of the tubular structure into two or more cells for receiving articles.

Abstract: A carton includes panels for forming a tubular structure. The panels include a top panel (16), a base panel (12) and a pair of first and second opposed side panels (14, 18) hingedly interconnecting the top and base panels. The carton includes at least one end closure panel (24b, 28b) forming an end wall which at least partially closes a first end of the tubular structure. The carton includes a dispenser for facilitating access to the carton contents. The dispenser includes a first severance line (76) and a second severance line (84) each defined in one (16) of the panels forming the tubular structure. A third severance line (60) and a fourth severance line (70) are each defined in the end wall. The first and second severance line are divergently arranged with respect to each other. The third and fourth severance line are divergently arranged with respect to each other.

Abstract: A locking device for a carton includes a first part (F) defined in a first panel (12) and a second part (M) defined in a second panel (14). The first part includes a female tab (22) struck from the first panel and foldably coupled thereto. The second part includes a male tab (20) struck from the second panel and foldably coupled thereto. The male tab is hinged to the second panel by a first non-linear fold line (24) and is receivable in an aperture created by folding the female tab out of the plane of the first panel so as to secure the first and second panels together. The male tab includes at least one weakened line (28) for facilitating folding of the male tab about the first non-linear fold line (24). An edge (30) of the female tab braces against the male tab so as to maintain the male tab in a folded or locked configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for a packaging machine comprising; a first conveyor for conveying an input stream of articles, a second conveyor for conveying an output stream of articles, a guide path configured as a loop and one or more tools coupled to the guide path. Each tool comprises a tool head for engaging with one or more articles in the input stream. The tool head is operable to transfer the one or more articles from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. The one or more articles are placed upon the second conveyor in discrete groups having one or more tiers.

Abstract: A carton for packaging one or more articles, includes a top panel, first and second side panels, a bottom panel, and at least one display window for displaying at least one article. The at least one display window is struck at least in part from at least one of the side panels. The at least one display window is interrupted by a retention strap for engaging at least one article.

Abstract: A handle structure (H) for a carton having a handle panel (12, 20) includes a strap member integrally conjoined with the handle panel and extending substantially between the opposing end edges (21a, 21c, 29a, 29c) of the handle panel. The strap member has opposing strap edges substantially disjoined from the handle panel and includes a substantially centrally disposed grip region (HI, H2). A severance line segment (65a, 67a) is disposed proximate each corner of the handle panel and extends from a first end point proximate that corner to a second end point proximate the grip region such that when force (F) normal to the plane of the handle panel is exerted upon the grip region, the strap member is flexed substantially outwardly of the plane to a biased position above the plane. The handle structure further includes a pair of first and second fold lines (79a, 77a) extending from each severance line segment and converging towards the adjacent corner of the handle panel.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for loading empty and formed six-pack bottle carriers into a larger case (i.e. a multi-pack) is provided. The packaging device includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The six-pack carriers are formed by unfolding them in the upper portion. Various components are associated with the upper portion of the packaging device. The case receives a plurality of six-pack carriers therein. The larger cases is formed by unfolding them in the lower portion of the packaging device. Various components are associated with the lower portion of the packaging device. The upper portion and lower portion operate simultaneously to efficiently produce a case have empty six-pack carriers placed therein for later filling with bottles at a downstream destination. The system includes the machine, the cases, the six-pack carriers, and the bottles, operating collectively.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprising an orientation system for orientating an article within a package, the orientation system comprising at least one carriage (240) moveable about an endless path comprising a working reach and a return reach, a drive mechanism for propelling the at least one carriage about the endless path, an engagement member (250) for frictionally engaging with an article (B) in a package (1), the engagement member moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position wherein the engagement member is rotationally driven by a rotary drive mechanism comprising a first component (244) rotationally mounted to the carriage and a second component (234) which engages with the first component such that the first component rotates as the carriage is driven about the endless path.

Abstract: A marine propulsion unit is described. The marine propulsion unit allows for shallow, obstructed, or otherwise impeded operation of a vessel through a novel marine propulsion transfer unit that is, or can be, mechanically coupled to an outboard motor or other similar marine motor. A mount for raising and lowering the marine propulsion unit in a generally vertical direction allows for adjustment of operating depth of the marine propulsion unit to accommodate a wide range of operating conditions from shallow and obstructed water to traditional deep water operation.

Abstract: A composite package includes a preliminary package (70) and a carrying handle structure (60). The preliminary package includes a group of articles (C), contained and secured together as a unit by a wrapping film (80) disposed around the group. The carrying handle structure (60) is wrapped around the preliminary package and is provided with at least one foldable tab (100) that is forcibly pushed and folded inwardly of the carrying handle structure such that the wrapping film is punctured and at least part of the at least one foldable tab is disposed within the preliminary package for interlocking the carrying handle structure to the preliminary package.

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: A convertible carrier includes first and second carrier units (101A, 101B). The first carrier unit includes a first side panel (114A) and a first medial panel (110A) disposed opposed to the first side panel. The second carrier unit includes a second side panel (114B) and a second medial panel (110B) disposed opposed to the second side panel. The first and second medial panels are in a face-contacting arrangement to form a medial wall disposed between the first and second side panels. The first and second medial panels are retained in the face-contacting arrangement by at least one hinged connection (149, 161) between the first and second medial panels and by at least one removable joint. The removable joint is formed in part from part (162A) of the first medial panel and in part (162B) from part of the second medial panel.

Abstract: A carton for packaging one or more articles, includes a series of main panels hinged one to the next to form a tubular structure. The tubular structure includes a top panel, first and second side panels and a bottom panel and at least one display window struck from at least one of the side panels. The at least one window extends from the top panel to the base panel and is interrupted by a retention strap.

Abstract: A carton for packaging one or more articles includes a plurality of walls including a top wall, a base wall, a first side wall and a second side wall forming a tubular structure. One of the plurality of walls includes a handle structure defined in it. The handle structure includes a grip member struck from one of the plurality of walls and a handle strap. The grip member is mounted on the handle strap. A first aperture is struck from the one of the plurality of walls. The aperture is disposed adjacent to a first end of the grip member so as to define a first end edge of the grip member. The first aperture defines a portion of an opening in the one of the plurality of walls. In the opening, a portion of the handle strap may be received.

Abstract: A carton (90) for packaging articles comprising a first plurality of walls (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) including a top wall (20), base wall (16), first side wall (14) and second side wall (18) forming a first tubular structure, each end of the first tubular structure being at least partially closed by one or more end closure panels (32a, 34a, 36a, 38a, 32b, 34b, 36b, 38b), wherein the carton comprises an end pull device (E) for withdrawing the carton from a display apparatus wherein the end pull device comprises a first recess struck from an end of the first side wall panel whereby facilitating access to an edge of the one or more end closure panels at the adjacent end of the first tubular structure.

Abstract: A carton includes a top panel, a first side panel and a slot handle. The slot handle includes a line of separation extending across the top panel at a location spaced from the longitudinal center of the top panel. The slot handle includes a lifting edge spaced from the line of separation and disposed on one side of the line of separation. The slot handle further includes a first stress relief mechanism provided in the first side panel. The first stress relief mechanism includes a frangible line having a linear stem section that is acutely angled relative to a notional line normal to the hinged connection between the top panel and the first side panel. The stem section is angled away from the lifting edge and terminating in an arcuate stop at a location spaced below the hinged connection on the one side of the line of separation.

Abstract: A carton has panels including a top panel (12/20), a base panel (16), a first side panel (14) and a second side panel (18) forming a tubular structure. One of the panels includes a handle structure (h) defined in it. The handle structure includes a first pair of folding structures (R, R) each having at least one first fold line (X, Y, Z) defining a first edge of a handle strap and a second pair of folding structures each having at least one second fold line defining a second edge of the handle strap. Each of the at least one first fold lines and the at least one second fold lines is defined, at least in part, in the one of the panels, wherein the carton includes a mandrel panel (22) disposed in face contacting relationship with the inner surface of the one (20) of the panels.

Abstract: A carton (90) for packaging one of more articles (A) comprising a plurality of walls including a top wall (16), a first side wall (14), a second side wall (18), a first end wall (22a, 24a, 26a, 28a), a second end wall (2b, 24b, 26b, 28b) and a bottom wall (12), the carton having an access device (D) for accessing said one or more articles, the access device comprising a plurality of primary lines of severance (36a, 34a, 32a, 30a, 36b, 34b, 32b, 30b) which are defined in the first side wall, the second side wall, the first end wall and the top wall so as to define a detachable corner (C) of the carton, wherein the access device comprises a fold line (40) extending transversely across the top wall for enabling folding of the detachable corner when in a partially detached condition.

Abstract: A carton (8) has a top wall (120), end walls and a strap carrying handle (16). The carrying handle (16) includes a strap section (72, 74) that is formed at least partially in a top wall (120) of the carton (8). The strap section (72, 74) is deployable above the top wall (120) and is attached to each end of the carton (8). The carrying handle (16) further includes a handle structure (6) affixed to the underside of the strap section (72, 74). The handle structure (6) includes a series of foldably interconnected panels that is foldable into a substantially tubular structure having three or more sides disposed at least partially beneath the strap section (72, 74) of the carrying handle (16).

Abstract: A packaging machine (10) for continuously packaging articles (B) comprising a first conveyor line (23), a second conveyor line (22a, 22b, 22c) and a transfer mechanism (26a, 26b) which transfers articles (B) from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line into a primary or intermediate carton (C) or transfers primary or intermediate cartons (C) from a second conveyor line to the articles (B) and a second transfer mechanism which transfers packaged articles (B) in said primary or intermediate cartons (C) from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line to be packaged in secondary or final cartons (T) or transfers articles (B) from the first conveyor to the second conveyor to be packaged directly in the secondary or final cartons (T) or which second transfer mechanism is adapted for reorientation of articles (B) or packaged articles (B) in said primary or intermediate cartons (C) or which second transfer mechanism is idle allowing primary or intermediate cartons to pass for further processing.