Abstract: A mould member 1 for blow moulding plastic containers, comprising an outer shell 2 supporting a sidewall mould insert 2, and a base mould insert 5 having the required shape features 7 of the body and base of the container to be moulded, the base mould insert being mounted on a base member by cooperating locking means 9, 10 engageable by a tool 17 for quick release by manipulations of the tool.

Abstract: This specification discloses an improved paper dyeing process in which paper pulp stock is prepared and subjected to a hot dispersion process, adding a sulphur dye after the hot dispersion process, and acidifying the dyed pulp stock to fix the dye. The dye can be added at any suitable time immediately following hot dispersion, and may be added just prior to or during the treatment of the pulp by disperser plates or the like.

Abstract: A multifunctional tool which enables a single robot or other manipulator to perform each of the operations to depalletise a palletised load is disclosed. The depalletisation can proceed without the need to move the palletised load from one station to another.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a box lid blank comprising side panels and end panels adapted to be connected to form a rectangular structure, side flaps and end flaps extending from the respective side panels and end panels and connected thereto along fold lines or score lines, folding portions of said end flaps being adapted to be secured to opposed facing portions of the side flaps and to extend outwardly from the side and end panels when the rectangular structure is folded flat, said end flaps and the secured folding portions being shaped such that the secured folding portions draw the end and side flaps inwardly towards a closed position with respect to the side and end panels when the rectangular structure is formed from its folded flat condition to thereby form a lid.

Abstract: An apparatus for pushing items relative to a conveyor includes a pushing member for abutting against the items so as to push the items in a direction generally transverse to the conveyor, drive means for driving movement of the pushing member, and a linkage coupling the drive means to the pushing member. The linkage is arranged such that in response to operation of the drive means the pushing member moves from a rest position to an extended position in a first stroke substantially horizontally in the direction transverse to the conveyor so as to push the items relative to the conveyor, and with further operation of the drive means the pushing member returns to the rest position in a second stroke with an arcuate motion for passing over the top of items on the conveyor.

Abstract: A machine (1) for erecting open topped cartons or trays from a substantially flat blank of varying height and footprint dimensions, comprising a magazine 3 adapted to support a supply of flat blanks of predetermined dimensions, a vacuum transfer means for transferring blanks one at a time from the supply to adjustable transfer rails (4)(62)(63) for transferring the blanks to a tray forming section 5, means G for applying glue to the blanks at predetermined locations, the tray forming section 5 including a variable well 6 defined by wall means 11 to 18 which are moveable in two directions to adjust the size of the well and a mandrel 7 having portions 40 to 43 which are moveable in two directions to adjust the size of the mandrel, and a cylinder 45 for pushing the mandrel into the well to fold the blank into a tray, the well being open at the bottom to allow the formed tray to be pushed through the well and onto a conveyor 8 for conveying the formed tray away from the machine.

Abstract: A gripper 1 comprising a support 5, 6 for attachment to a robotic arm, outer gripping plates 2, 3 mounted for movement on the support, drive means 13, 14, 15 for independently moving the outer plates 2 and 3 with respect to an intermediate gripping plate 4 mounted for pivotal movement towards and away from the outer plates 2, 3, the arrangement allowing for separate articles or groups of articles to be gripped between each of the outer plates 2, 3 and the intermediate plate 4 to increase the capacity of the gripper 1.

Abstract: A liner for a container, such as a shipping container, including an end panel (11), a first side wall panel (12), a second side wall panel (13), a floor panel (14), a roofpanel (15) and a second end panel (16), the end panel (11) including flaps (17), (18), end panel (12) including top flap (19) and a lower flap (not shown) the side wall panel (13) including similar top and lower flaps to side wall panel (12), the floor panel (14) including a first flap (20) and a second flap (21), the roof panel (15) including flap (22) and another flap (not shown) on the edge opposed to the edge carrying flap (22), the second end panel (16) including flap (23) and another flap (not shown) on the opposed edge to that carrying flap (23), the panels (11 to 16) being formed from double faced corrugated paperboard. At least panel (11), and preferably panels (13 to 16), can have multiple fold or score lines (25a to c and 26a to c) to enable folding at selected lines to fit different containers.