Abstract: Method contemplates: providing a set of collapsed multi-cell, crossed panel separator partitions arranged in upright position along a horizontal axis; applying vacuum grip to pull out the lead partition and move along the axis to a transfer station; relieving the pull-out vacuum grip and while supporting the partition in the upright position moving the same away from the transfer station along a second horizontal axis normal to the first axis to an opening station; applying vacuum grip to opposite sides of at least a single panel and rotating the panel to open the partition; and while the gripping force for opening is on the panel, moving the partition along a vertical axis down to an insert station and then removing the gripping force to thereby deposit the partition on the medium for which it is to serve its separating function.

Abstract: Corrugated carton is moved between sprayers which apply water to the score lines of each major end flap and on opposite sides of the score bar about 1" up on the flap and 1" down on the panel. The major flaps are then bent into closed position and while bent, heat is applied to raise the temperature of the wet areas until the same are dry. Then, the bending means and heat are removed. Each end flap assumes a substantially closed position.

Abstract: Gate has two carton restrainers. First restrainer holds the lead carton in magazine stack while the second is inoperative. For take-down of the lead carton, first restrainer is moved away while at the same time the second restrainer engages and holds the carton next to the lead carton to prevent the same (and the cartons behind it) from popping out of the gate.

Abstract: Dividers and cartons are intermittently fed into the machine which automatically assembles the same by inserting one or more dividers into the carton and gluing tabs on the dividers to opposite panels of the carton. The machine has a magazine to feed in the dividers, a carton transporter to feed in the cartons, die means to bend edges of the divider to form the tabs, means to apply glue to the tabs, means to develop bonding pressure between tabs and panels together with a divider transporter. The divider transporter picks-off a divider from the magazine, deposits it in the die means for tab forming and then moves the formed divider into a carton while the tabs are sprayed with glue and then pressure bonded to opposite carton panels.

Abstract: Flat folded four-panel case is set up in a vertical takedown plane. The case is pulled out of the plane and manipulated to cause the four panels to move relative to each other so that the case assumes a diamond shape. The case is then partially erected. Next, one of the panels is held fixed (with the others being free to move) and a bottom flap is folded inwardly. This transmits forces to the panels so that the diamond shape changes to a square shape and the case is fully erected.