Abstract: A method of forming a box having a plurality of corner gussets includes the steps of providing a generally planar box blank and a box forming device including a gusset formation section having a kicker plate, a forming blade and an adhesive securement device. The box blank is fed into the box forming device, the kicker plate deflects each of the gusset corner formation wall sections upwards, the upper portion thereof is bent towards a side wall via the forming blade and the glue flap section is secured to the side wall via the adhesive securement device to form a gusset, and the box is formed by folding the side walls upwards generally perpendicular to the base wall and securing adjacent ones of the side walls to one another whereby the box is formed. A box formed via the above-described method is also claimed.

Abstract: A box with gusseted corners includes a plurality of walls each connected to and extending generally upright from a base wall thereby forming the box and a plurality of corner gussets each extending between and strengthening adjacent walls. Each corner gusset includes a gusset corner formation (GCF) wall section foldably connected to and extending from one of the walls, the GCF wall section having a first fold extending generally parallel with the foldable connection to the one of the walls, the first fold dividing the GCF wall section into an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion extending generally perpendicular from the wall and the upper portion angled towards the wall to form an acute angle therebetween. Finally, the upper portion includes a glue flap section adapted for adhesive connection to the wall such that the upper portion and the lower portion of the GCF wall section cooperate with the wall to form one of the corner gussets.

Abstract: A box with gusseted corners includes a plurality of walls each connected to and extending generally upright from a base wall thereby forming the box and a plurality of corner gussets each extending between and strengthening adjacent walls. Each corner gusset includes a gusset corner formation (GCF) wall section foldably connected to and extending from one of the walls, the GCF wall section having a first fold extending generally parallel with the foldable connection to the one of the walls, the first fold dividing the GCF wall section into an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion extending generally perpendicular from the wall and the upper portion angled towards the wall to form an acute angle therebetween. Finally, the upper portion includes a glue flap section adapted for adhesive connection to the wall such that the upper portion and the lower portion of the GCF wall section cooperate with the wall to form one of the corner gussets.

Abstract: The beverage basket carrier of the invention is constructed of two separate blanks, a primary blank including the printed surfaces of the carrier and a secondary blank including the internal divider walls forming the bottle receiving cells. The blanks are designed so as to be tipped together in a straight line gluer for substantially increased production rates. The secondary blank may be formed of a different and more economical substrate than that required for the primary blank. The reduced size primary blanks enable an increased number to be arranged across a sheet or printing cylinder to increase the yield of the printing process. The resulting assembled carrier is similar to conventional carriers and suited for use by bottle fillers without altering their equipment.

Abstract: The beverage basket carrier of the invention is constructed of two separate blanks, a primary blank including the printed surfaces of the carrier and a secondary blank including the internal divider walls forming the bottle receiving cells. The blanks are designed so as to be tipped together in a straight line gluer for substantially increased production rates. The secondary blank may be formed of a different and more economical substrate than that required for the primary blank. The reduced size primary blanks enable an increased number to be arranged across a sheet or printing cylinder to increase the yield of the printing process. The resulting assembled carrier is similar to conventional carriers and suited for use by bottle fillers without altering their equipment.

Abstract: A carton tray has an improved corner construction including long and short overlapped connector tabs wherein the long connector tab is secured by adhesive both to the adjacent short connector tab and to the end panel to which the short connector tab is foldably connected. The result is a strong corner post of at least three-ply thickness and one which can be easily assembled on a standard hot melt forming machine with application of adhesive to only one side of the blank from which the carton tray is constructed. The invention is further directed to the method of forming the improved carton tray with the corner post construction described above.

Abstract: A conveyor system to precisely feed articles, such as food product containers, includes a series of conveyors to phase and control the articles along the flow path for further processing downstream. A supply conveyor establishes the initial flow. A phasing conveyor receives the articles in closely spaced relationship and a photoelectric sensor detects each one of the articles at this point along the path. A variable speed motor drives the phasing conveyor in response to the sensor in order to shift each article into its proper position to match the moving segment or flight of the target conveyor. A transfer conveyor operating at the speed of the target conveyor accelerates each article to establish a gap from the next upstream article.

Abstract: A closing method for a multi-sided paperboard carton includes sealing a cover with side edge extensions to corresponding side flanges defined by fold lines on the paperboard carton during continuous feeding of the carton along the feed path. The side flanges of the carton body are bent downward during continuous feed movement with a force sufficient to cause the flanges to fold and remain free and below a plane passing through the fold line when released. The cover is placed on the carton to lie substantially in a plane and with the edge extensions overlying the flanges. A hot air stream is directed into the half-V gap presented between each flange and associated cover side edge extension to activate an adhesive coating and the flanges are pressed against the cover for sealing. The carton is carried through the bending stage in a die having an open bottom cavity and forming blades on its side edges that engage the fold line between the side flanges and the carton side panels from below.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming flat-out carton blanks into erected cartons and transferring the cartons from a forming head to a takeaway conveyor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a forming die with forming guides to receive the head and erect the carton side panels to an upright position relative to the carton bottom panel. Presser fingers pivotally secured to the forming guides transfer the erected carton away from the forming head. A differential air pressure source provides negative pressure to a manifold below the conveyor and against the bottom of the carton, and positive pressure through a nozzle to the top. This action efficiently transfers the carton to the takeaway conveyor and assures firm seating of the carton on the conveyor.

Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus and method are provided particularly adapted for utilization with difficult to handle product. A series of in-line transfer conveyors form product feed lanes with individual volumetric cups designed to receive and hold a product charge. A scale and weighing hopper is associated with each transfer conveyor. The transfer conveyors are each advanced in stepped fashion so as to deliver a product charge from one volumetric cup at any single time to the associated weighing hopper. A washer unit cleans residue and the product buildup from the cups after delivery of the product charge. Once the product charge is delivered to the weighing hopper, the weight of the charge is registered by a control unit. The control unit scans various combinations of scales, calculates the total weight of product in the combination and selects the first combination that falls within an acceptable range above the target weight.