Abstract: Apparatus for folding the trailing edge of paperboard blanks conveyed along a straight-line path includes a rotatable shaft disposed below and transverse to the conveyor and having arms with heads at their ends which extend upward through openings between conveyor belts. The shaft is rotated to cause the heads to contact the trailing panels or flaps of the blanks and fold them onto the blank body. To rotate the shaft intermittently it is momentarily connected to a continuously rotating drive by a clutch-brake which permits substantially instantaneous engagement and disengagement. The precise position of each blank is determined by a signal generated by a photodetector, and the rotational orientation of the shaft is determined by optical detectors associated therewith. A signal from the photodetector indicating position of the blank is received by a controller which also has input of the conveyor speed and which responds by actuating the clutch-brake at the proper time.

Abstract: A case is provided for carrying two tiers of product which may be opened to form two tray portions each containing a single tier of product. The case has horizontally split ends, one horizontally separable sidewall and a central horizontal partition with flaps that extend through the split ends, some of which are secured to the upper portion of the ends and some of which are secured to the lower portions of the ends. The case is opened by splitting the separable sidewall, detaching the flaps from the lower portions of the ends and swinging the upper tray portion away from the lower tray portion.

Abstract: A feeder has an endless belt conveyer which removes flat articles one-by-one from the bottom of a stack and transports them downstream to a delivery point. A chamber is connected to a vacuum source in timed sequence to apply a vacuum through apertures in the belt to pull the underside face of the lowermost article against the upper surface of the moving belt. Further, restraining chambers are connected to a vacuum source to engage the article next thereabove and prevent its premature downstream travel.

Abstract: Rollable sheet handling apparatus receives advancement of a sheet in a longitudinally forward direction. The apparatus comprises:(a) means to receive the advancing sheet and to roll same,(b) the means including support means over which the sheet travels, and auxiliary means including swingable arm means and rollers carried by the arm means to be movable between rearwardly collapsed position in which rolling of the sheet extent adjacent the support is initiated, and a series of forwardly extended positions in which rolling of the sheet is guided toward completion, and while the rollers engage the sheet extent being rolled,(c) the rollers being spaced to extend about, in roll forming relation, a portion of the sheet extent initially being rolled.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically folding the end closure of a carton of rectangular cross section which includes a cover panel hinged to a rear sidewall of the carton and a pair of flanking gusset panels which are each respectively hinged to one edge of the cover panel and to an adjacent sidewall. The carton is continuously moved along a conveyor path with one of the gusset panels leading and the other trailing. A folding head moves along a parallel conveyor path and translates to a location adjacent the carton. An abutment adjacent the conveyor path contacts the leading gusset panel and folds it inward along a line at about a 45.degree. angle to its hinged edges. An arm mounted on the folding head is caused to swing relative to the conveyor to fold the trailing gusset panel inward along a line at about a 45.degree. angle to its hinged edges.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically outfolding the leading and trailing gusset panels of the end closure of a rectangular carton being moved along a predetermined path on a continuous conveyor. First and second arms are attached to a vertical shaft and to a sleeve mounted for independent rotation about the shaft. The shaft and sleeve rotate in opposite directions so that one arm contacts the leading gusset panel and folds it outward along a line at an angle to its hinged edges and the other arm subsequently contacts the trailing gusset panel and similarly folds it outward. A plow positioned adjacent the conveyor path begins to plow the major end closure panel toward the carton opening while the rotating arm is in contact with the leading gusset panel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the forming, sealing and closing of packages utilizing blanks created from fiberboard substratum to which sheeting having thermoplastic characteristics is laminated by a moisture-resistant heat-weakenable substance, such as microcrystalline wax. A tubular blank having an interior sheeting lining is first formed from the flat blank, as by forming a fin-type side seam which may be located in one body wall. The end closure is formed by panels hinged to each of the four body walls, with one of these panels serving as the main closure panel and being of sufficient size to overlie the entire end opening. A pair of gusset panels flank the main panel and a short flange panel is hinged to the opposite, parallel body wall. After outfolding the gussets and the flange panel, a continuous membrane seal is created along the three edges of the end opening by heat-sealing the sheeting associated with these panels.

Abstract: A blank which is capable of producing a tube of moisture-resistant material which may be end sealed to form a package. The blank comprises a substratum of card or the like with a delaminable sheeting thereon. The blank has fold lines defining opposable body walls and at least one end closure panel. Flange panels are defined with extensions and allow the formation of a sealable fin. Apparatus and method are provided for side seaming such a blank with outfolding of panels to fuse the sheeting into a tube and delaminate the sheeting from the substratum. Apparatus and method are also provided for end sealing such a tube, with provision for outfolding of gussets and fusion and delamination of the sheeting to provide an end membrane delaminated from the substratum.

Abstract: Laminated blanks for forming moisture-resistant packages are produced from a substrate, such as cardboard. A continuous web of substrate is perforated and fold lines formed. Perforated regions are stripped therefrom prior to laminating with moisture-resistant heat-sealable sheeting using a heat-weakenable laminating material. Thereafter, a multitude of rows of individual blanks are profiled by die-cutting the laminated web. The blanks have unsupported sheeting regions disposed along an edge portion of the substrate which provide membranes or webs that are adapted for sealing to another portion of the laminated sheeting to form a continuous barrier that may be used to prevent wicking in an erected package.