Abstract: A carton flap folding assembly (10) and a method of folding carton flaps is disclosed. The carton flap folding assembly includes a modular housing (12) positioned on the framework (22) of a packaging machine, and along the path of travel of articles of product moved along the packaging machine. The carton flap folding assembly includes a drive gear (26) which moves a drive pulley (28) and a star wheel assembly (29) in a timed relationship with respect to one another and with the groups of articles of product conveyed along a path of travel past the assembly. A spaced series of generally protruding lugs (33) are formed along the length of an endless lug belt (32), and a top star wheel disc (84) and a spaced bottom star wheel disc (85), each having a spaced series of generally protruding teeth (86) formed thereon are also provided as a part of the carton blank flap folding assembly.

Abstract: A container formed by wrapping a slotted flexible sheet about rigid end panels having corner projections that extend through the slots. The end panels are formed by a flap foldably connected to the sheet which may be reinforced by other connected flaps. Additional reinforcement may be provided by end panel stiffener inserts. Stacking projections on the end panels extend through slots in the flexible sheet to maintain the sheet in place.

Abstract: An article carrier which includes a handle connected to and extending between opposite side panels. End panels of the carrier are divided into halves by vertical fold lines, and the handle includes a fold line which lies in the same plane as the end panel fold lines. This construction allows a collapsed carrier to be squared up from a folded condition. The carrier may take the form of a wrap-around carrier having a top panel or an open-top basket-style carrier.

Abstract: A basket-style carrier with means for maintaining the carrier open during loading. The carrier includes tabs foldably connected to the end panel sections at one end of the carrier. When the tabs are folded in at substantially right angles to the end panel sections, they engage a vertical support member to prevent the carrier from closing. When the articles being loaded reach the tabs, they fold the tabs up against the inside face of the end panel sections. The articles themselves maintain the carriers open at that point and the tabs are no longer needed for that purpose.

Abstract: A force sensing assembly measures a magnitude of a force generated at the tabs in a product delivery system. The product delivery system can be one in which a force is produced at the tabs by the weight of the stack, by a paddle pushing an end of the stack, or by another similar type of advancing mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the force sensing assembly has a pair of tabs connected to a cross-bar which extends across the stack and which is connected to the frame of the feeder through a bell crank at one end and a lever at the other end. The bell crank has one arm connected to the cross-bar and a second arm connected to a load cell. The force at the tabs causes the lever and bell crank to rotate, with the force being transmitted through the bell crank, through a spring, and then to the load cell. The load cell generates a force signal which is supplied to a controller for adjusting the amount of force at the tabs.

Abstract: An article clip packaging machine for applying carton members to the article rims of preselected article groups. The machine has a conveyor with an infeed end for receiving preselected article groups. At least two carton member feeding structures are synchronized with the conveyor for placing carton base and carton top members, respectively, on the preselected article groups. A securing assembly attaches the carton base and top members to the rims of the article groups to provide article group carriers.

Abstract: A carton engaging assembly for use in continuous motion packaging machines is designed to perform specific functions on a carton as it moves continuously along the path of travel through the packaging machine. The carton engaging assembly includes mechanisms for aligning the carton engaging device perpendicular to the carton's path of travel and to the carton side wall, so that the engaging device enters and exits the carton side wall along the substantially perpendicular line of travel. The carton engaging assembly is a self-contained, rotary unit which is readily interchanged with other units to facilitate engagement with various sizes and shapes of cartons. The rotational movement of the carton engaging assembly is timed with the continuous linear movement of the carton along the carton path of travel.

Abstract: A container formed by wrapping a slotted flexible sheet about rigid end panels having upper corner projections that extend through the slots. The end panels are formed from a blank having end flaps which are folded and adhered to the main body of the blank to provide double thickness at the end portions. Additional reinforcement may be provided by a reinforcing flap connected to the main body or by a stiffener insert. Stacking projections on the end panels extend through slots in the flexible sheet to maintain the sheet in place.

Abstract: A partition inserter has a vacuum assembly which pivots out to contact an end partition in a stack, pivots back to remove the partition, and then moves downwardly to release the partition. The positioning of the vacuum assembly is controlled by a set of cams and a cam follower for controlling the horizontal position of the vacuum assembly and a third cam and cam follower for controlling the vertical position of the vacuum assembly. The vacuum assembly has an upper set of cups which move down with the assembly to lower the partition. The upper vacuum cups are also adjustably mounted to the assembly so that the same assembly may be used for partitions of various sizes. When the partition is released from the vacuum cups, the partition is guided downwardly by a pair of conveyors to a set of shooter wheels. The conveyor and shooter wheels are mounted to a set of plates which are adjustably mounted to the frame of the apparatus.

Abstract: A partition feeder has a multi-rack assembly for holding more than one reserve stack of partitions. The partition feeder has a main stack of partitions which is forced against a set of tabs and which has its partitions removed by a selecting apparatus. When the main stack has been reduced down past a certain amount, one of the reserve stacks is automatically moved into alignment with the main stack and the partitions in the reserve stack are added to the main stack. The partition feeder has guide rails that are received in notched sides of the partitions, thereby suspending the partitions on the guide rails. An inner frame, upon which the guide rails are mounted, is adjustably mounted to a middle frame to thereby permit the adjustment of the distance between the guide rails. The middle frame is adjustably mounted to an outer frame to permit the vertical adjustment of the mass feeder. The partition feeder can therefore be easily adjusted for partitions of different sizes.

Abstract: A wrap-around carrier including partial end panels extending up from the bottom panel for covering the pricing code on the end articles in the package. The partial end panels are comprised of flaps connected to the bottom panel flaps. Angle panels connected to the bottom panel flaps and adjacent side panel locking flaps contact the bottom portions of the articles while portions of the side panel locking flaps are engaged by the articles to hold the locking flaps in place, which in turn holds the end panel flaps in place.

Abstract: A wrap-around carrier including partial end panels extending up from the bottom panel for covering the pricing code on the end articles in the package. The partial end panels are comprised of partially overlapped flaps connected to partially overlapped bottom panel flaps. The end panel flaps contain fold lines which allow the flaps to follow the curved contour of adjacent articles. The end panel flaps are connected to each other by a portion of the overlapped flap fitting into a notch in the overlapping flap. Angle panels and side panel locking flaps connect the end panel flaps to the side panels.

Abstract: A triangular carrier comprised of a top panel and converging end panels connected to triangular side panels. The carrier holds a plurality of rows of articles, each article extending between the side panels, with each row containing a greater number of articles than the next lower row. For an equilateral carrier, each row contains one more article than the next lower row. Openings at the corners of the carrier allow portions of adjacent articles to protrude.

Abstract: A wrap-around carrier including partial upper and lower end panels. Partial lower end panel flaps are locked in place by side panel locking flaps extending between an adjacent end article and a connected side panel. They are further held in place by either gusset panels connected to the bottom panel or a mechanical interconnection. Webs may be provided between the lower end panel flaps and upper gusset panels to contact the curved surface of adjacent packaged articles.

Abstract: A can clip carrier having support tabs on both top and bottom panels. The panels are in face-to-face contact, with the bottom panel tabs located between and in contact with the upper portion of the cans and the top panel support tabs. The bottom tabs are spaced apart a distance such that some of the top panel tabs engage the upper portion of the cans between spaced bottom panel tabs.

Abstract: A wrap-around carrier for packaging necked bottles. Downwardly folded retaining flaps are connected to the transverse edges of bottle neck openings and engage opposite sides of an associated bottle neck to hold the bottle neck in place. Bottom retaining flaps may also be provided at the heel cutouts to hold the bottom portions of the bottles in place.

Abstract: An article release assembly mounted on the from or exit end of an article supply magazine. The article release assembly is for use in feeding successive thick or heavy rigid articles from an article supply magazine. The article release assembly cooperates with an article transfer assembly and comprises an upper magazine clip assembly and a lower magazine clip assembly which cooperate to shift upward the next-out article from the article stack in the magazine. The upper clip assembly has an elongated body with an upwardly extending retention slot having specified dimensions. The lower clip assembly has an elongated body with an upwardly extending terminal end having a rounded portion. The retention slot of the upper clip assembly and the rounded portions of the lower clip assembly cause the first or next-out article to be repositioned with respect to the article stack as the article transfer assembly transfers successive articles from the article stack in the magazine.

Abstract: A wrap-around carrier including partial end panels extending up from the bottom panel for covering the pricing code on the end articles in the package. The partial end panels are locked in place by gusset panels extending between an adjacent end article and the bottom panel and by side panel locking flaps extending between an adjacent end article and a connected side panel. Upper and lower corner restraint panels are also connected to the side panel locking flaps.

Abstract: Arranging a group of articles to be packaged so as to include a space for the insertion of a different article. All the articles except one are arranged in upright position. The one article is positioned on its side, between other articles. This creates a space above the one article into which a different article is inserted prior to packaging the articles in a multipack carton.

Abstract: A basket-style carrier with means for maintaining the carrier open during loading. The carrier includes a retainer tab foldably connected to at least one end panel of the carrier. When the tab is folded inwardly transversely of the end panel, it maintains the carrier in open condition until the articles being loaded reach the tabs. At that point the articles themselves are able to maintain the carriers open. Continued insertion of the articles during loading causes the articles to fold the tabs up against the inside face of the end panel sections.