Abstract: A wrap-around carrier for packaging curved articles, such as beverage bottles or cans. Retainer flaps extending inwardly from heel cutouts are connected to the side panels and the bottom panel by gusset panels. The fold lines of the gusset panels are arranged to create a bias which maintains pressure on the articles to prevent movement within the carrier. The lower gusset panels are located between the bottom of the adjacent article and the bottom panel of the carrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting partitions into a group of articles is disclosed. The method includes combining articles, such as beverage containers, to form an article group of predetermined configuration, including longitudinal rows of articles. The article group is conveyed toward a divider deposed in the path of travel. The divider, which includes an angled end portion that acts as a cam, separates the article subgroup into article subgroups. Once the article subgroups are transversely separated to a predetermined extent, a partition inserter places a partition between the article subgroups. The two subgroups are then recombined to affix the partition between adjacent articles. The recombined article group, including a partition, is then moved through the packaging machine to the next process step or simultaneously inserted into cartons.

Abstract: A wrap-around carrier suitable for packaging tub-shaped articles, The bottom panel is formed from an inner flap to which article retainer flaps are hinged and an outer flap to which a locking tab is hinged, The retainer flaps are pivoted into the interior of the carrier by the locking tabs and include foldable side extensions which engage the bottom portions of adjacent spaced articles, A slit or opening between the retaining flaps permits entry of a locking tab. A projection on the locking tabs engaging the retainer flaps adjacent an edge thereof prevents withdrawal of the locking tabs from their activated positions.

Abstract: A carrier with both a bottom panel and an upper panel containing openings through which the necks of packaged bottles extend. The upper panel is comprised of adjacent sections foldably connected to a central handle panel and to an intermediate panel. The latter panel also contains bottle openings and is foldably connected to a central vertical support panel. The arrangement permits loading by placing bottles on the bottom panel and pushing down on the handle panel, which causes the upper panel sections to pivot down over the bottles. Support tabs may surround the bottle openings in the upper panel to engage shoulders on the bottle necks.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming stacked article groups in a packaging process, comprising a linear conveyance mechanism having an upstream end and a downstream end; and at least one article input and combining station, the article input and combining station including high and low article input lines and a combining wheel, the combining wheel being disposed tangentially with respect to the conveyance mechanism and further being arranged to receive a high single level article group from the high input line and to transport the high single level article group to a point of intersection with the conveyance mechanism, the low article input line intersecting the conveyance mechanism at a position which is located upstream with respect to the intersection point and depositing a low single level article group on the conveyance mechanism, and wherein the combining wheel merges the high and low single level article groups to form the stacked article group at the intersection point.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the input of articles to a packaging machine. The apparatus comprises a dead plate, a plurality of stop posts and an actuator connected to each stop post. The dead plate has top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of lanes located on the top surface and extending from a proximal edge to a distal edge, across which articles are moved, and at least one aperture disposed in each lane. Each stop post is aligned for extension through a corresponding dead plate aperture. An actuator is connected to each stop post, whereby the stop posts are extendible and retractable above the top surface of the dead plate, the stop posts impeding travel of articles across the dead plate when extended and permitting travel of articles across the dead plate when retracted.

Abstract: A divider panel for separating bottles in a carton. The divider panel is provided with shock absorbing feet so that upon being propelled at high speed into a group of adjacent bottles, the feet distort upwardly upon impact. This prevents the divider from bouncing out of the group as it would if the feet were not provided. Cutouts in the upper edge portions of the divider panel allow the panel blanks to be conveniently delivered to the insertion station.

Abstract: A turret magazine assembly which provides a constant supply of articles in a packaging operation. The turret magazine assembly has a rotatable feeding assembly having a plurality of tube receiving structures. A plurality of removable tubes are provided to receive and dispense a supply of articles. Each removable tube has a gate mechanism mounted at its dispensing end. A fixed feeding tube is provided having an inlet end and an outlet end. The turret magazine assembly has a control mechanism including an article flow detector to determine article flow. An indexing structure is provided which is operative on the rotatable feeding assembly and which is activated by the control mechanism. The indexing structure is constructed and arranged to successively align the dispensing ends of the respective removable tubes with the inlet end of the fixed feeding tube.

Abstract: A wrap-around carrier with partial end panels. The partial end panels are formed by end panel flaps connected to the bottom panel flaps of the carrier and in combination with overlying end closure flaps connected to the side panels of the carrier. A gusset panel connects adjacent end panel flaps and end closure flaps. Upper corner webs may also be provided to form a barrier for restraining outward movement of the upper portion of packaged articles at the ends of the carrier.

Abstract: A wrap-around carrier capable of being tightly drawn about the packaged articles. Locking tabs on the outer bottom panel flap and locking opening flaps on the inner bottom panel flap are folded back to provide surfaces against which oppositely directed forces can push to move the bottom panel flaps into final partially overlapped condition. The locking tabs include a base locking portion which engages an edge of the locking openings and an outer secondary locking portion which extends through an opening in the inner bottom panel flap.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming stacked article groups utilizing clip-type article group carriers. The overall apparatus is aligned in a generally linear, continuous orientation. The apparatus longitudinally moves infeed cans from an infeed end to an output end. The apparatus generally comprises (a) an article grouping and clip-type carrier application assembly having at least one input and first and second output lines; (b) a first conveyor disposed to receive and transport first article groups having clip-type carriers attached thereto from and first output line, the first article groups being transported at a first vertical level; (c) a second conveyor disposed to receive and transport second article groups having clip-type carriers attached thereto from the second output line, the second article groups being transported at a second vertical level which is above the first vertical level; and (d) means to merge the second article groups over the top surface of the first article groups.

Abstract: A basket-style carrier which exposes much of the end packaged articles. The carrier has narrow side panels which, with partition straps, form article receiving cells. End cells are formed by the partition straps, side straps extending out from the side panels and end straps connected to the side straps. The partition straps and the end straps are connected to a central support panel, which includes a handle panel portion. The end straps and side straps contact only small portions of the articles, allowing the remainder of the end articles to be viewed.

Abstract: A cartoning apparatus for loading stacked article groups into carton sleeves. The cartoning apparatus comprises at least two article infeed mechanisms, each supplying at least one stream of articles at a predetermined height or level, an article selection and transport mechanism intersecting the article infeed mechanisms to form and move a stream of stacked article groups of a predetermined pattern, a carton supply and transport mechanism synchronized and moving parallel with said article selection and transport mechanism to provide cartons with open ends facing the moving article groups, and an article group transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to move article groups into the open ends of the carton sleeves.

Abstract: A method to package stacked article groups utilizing packaging sleeves having a divider or base member mounted therein. At least one open end of each packaging sleeve is exposed during travel on a conveyor whereby a stream of articles within reach of the moving packaging sleeves are directed below and above the divider members of the open ended sleeves before closure.

Abstract: A carrier especially suited for carrying beverage cans. The carrier is comprised of a top panel connected to support panels which contain slots for receiving the can chimes. In addition, short side panel flaps connected to the support panels and end panel flaps connected to the top panel assist in holding the cans in place. Webs foldably connected to the side panel flaps and to extensions of the end panel flaps cause the end panel flaps to be automatically drawn into place. The side panel flaps, the webs and the end panel extensions are glued together to hold the carrier in locked condition.

Abstract: A method to form and package stacked article groups utilizing flexible packaging materials. The method provides first and second streams of article groups which are directed to a supply of flexible packaging material, such as shrink or stretch film, to form stacked article groups.

Abstract: A planar article or sheet, such as a divider sheet for stacked products, and the method of supplying substantially planar articles from a supply magazine to an article transfer device, which then transfers the article to a desired location for further processing. The planar article itself can be a divider sheet for stacked beverage containers, folded paperboard cartons for carriers, or any other substantially planar article which is adapted to be consecutively arranged with other such articles in a group, and placed in a supply magazine for singular delivery to an article transfer device. The method of the present invention is specifically designed to insure that only one sheet at a time is removed from the group by the article transfer device. The sheets or articles themselves, are designed to cooperate with the supply magazine to facilitate singular delivery.

Abstract: A bottle carrier of the type which supports bottles by tabs contacting the underside of shoulders on the bottles. An upper support panel and lower support panel flaps containing aligned bottle neck openings are spaced apart at one end by connected side panels and are in contact at their other ends. The edge portions adjacent the side panels function as reinforcing ribs. The tabs are of such shape and size as to accommodate the bowing that takes place when the carrier is lifted. Additional flaps may be provided to form two-ply lower support panel flaps and side panels, and to provide reinforcement strips beneath the upper support panel.

Abstract: A clip-type carrier especially suited for carrying beverage cans or other flanged articles. The carrier is comprised of a panel having slots in folded, wedge-shaped inner support sections and in downwardly folded outer support sections for receiving the can chimes. Reinforcing flaps connected to the outer support sections are folded against the underside of the outer support sections so that the unconnected edges of the flaps contact adjacent articles. A reinforcing strip may be employed to overlie the inner support sections of the carrier.

Abstract: A wrap-around carrier having improved secondary locking means. A secondary locking tab contains a retaining opening, and one edge of a secondary locking opening includes a retaining tab which fits into the retaining opening to prevent withdrawal of the locking tab. A retaining flap engaging the secondary locking tab prevents the locking tab from moving out of engagement with the retaining tab.