Abstract: A grouping system for grouping containers including a track oriented in a horizontal plane, a plurality of lugs coupled moveably to the track, and a plurality of grippers, wherein each gripper is coupled to a lug, wherein the grippers are configured to move a stream of containers about the track.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a main conveyor configured to convey cartons and containers in a conveyance direction from a first end of the main conveyor where partially erected cartons and containers enter the conveyor to a second end where containers inside the cartons exit the conveyor. A plunger is operatively connected to the main conveyor to follow the main conveyor in the conveyance direction and to plunge in a plunge direction lateral to the conveyance direction to position a group of containers within a carton. A carton maintaining tool is operatively connected to the main conveyor to follow the main conveyor in the conveyance direction and to engage the carton to maintain position of the carton along the plunge direction in opposition to the plunger as the plunger positions the group of containers within the carton.

Abstract: A conveyor system for grouping containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers of various dimensions a first star wheel and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a third star wheel and a fourth star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers, wherein the first travel path and the second travel path are substantially similar.

Abstract: A subsystem for orienting articles, the subsystem comprising a tool assembly comprising a carriage. A tool head has a first and a second article gripper rotationally coupled thereto. A first drive mechanism is coupled to the first article gripper. A second drive mechanism is coupled to the second article gripper. A sensor is configured to observe two adjacent articles. A controller is provided in communication with the first and second drive mechanisms and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine the orientation of each of the two adjacent articles and to control the first and second drive mechanisms to rotate each of the two adjacent articles to a predefined orientation.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging machine for packaging articles, apparatus for a packaging machine and to a method of packaging articles. The packaging machine comprises an article manipulation apparatus. The article manipulation apparatus comprises a first conveyor for conveying packages. The packages each comprises a carton having at least one displaceable article disposed therein. An article orientation device comprises a tool head movable synchronously in a downstream direction with the first conveyor. The tool head has at least one article gripper for engaging with a displaceable article in the carton. The at least one article gripper is rotatably mounted to the tool head. An article displacement device comprises at least one article displacement tool. The article displacement tool is receivable in an opening in a carton to engage and displace the displaceable article such that it protrudes through a second opening in said carton.

Abstract: A system including a pair of prongs extending in a transverse direction, spaced apart from one another by a gap configured to receive carton blanks and product containers therein, and to crease retention flaps of the carton blank, wherein each prong travels along a cam path, a panel extending in a longitudinal direction in-between the pair of prongs configured to support the product containers and guide the retentions flaps, a pair of asymmetrical guide rails underneath the panel configured to alternatingly crease a first primary flap and a second primary flap of the carton blank, and a conveyor mechanism proximate to the panel configured to move they product container and a carton blanks along the panel.

Abstract: A method includes folding leading upper flap of a carton blank, folding a trailing upper flap of a carton blank, and passing the leading and trailing upper flaps in a folded condition into a gap between a pair of guide rails. The method includes interlocking the leading upper flap into a leading can in a pack of product, interlocking the trailing upper flap into a trailing can in a pack of product, and wrapping the carton blank around the pack of product to package the pack of product together.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging articles into cartons includes a first conveyor for conveying cartons along a carton stream, a second conveyor for conveying first article groups adjacent to the carton stream, a third conveyor for conveying divider pads adjacent to the carton stream, and a fourth conveyor for conveying second article groups adjacent to the carton stream. A first lateral transfer mechanism transfers the first article groups transversely into cartons within the carton stream. A second lateral transfer mechanism transfers the divider pads transversely into the cartons within the carton stream and onto said first article groups contained therein. A third lateral transfer mechanism transfers the second article groups transversely into the cartons within the carton stream and onto the divider pads contained therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for a packaging machine comprising; a first conveyor for conveying an input stream of articles, a second conveyor for conveying an output stream of articles, a guide path configured as a loop and one or more tools coupled to the guide path. Each tool comprises a tool head for engaging with one or more articles in the input stream. The tool head is operable to transfer the one or more articles from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. The one or more articles are placed upon the second conveyor in discrete groups having one or more tiers.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprising an orientation system for orientating an article within a package, the orientation system comprising at least one carriage (240) moveable about an endless path comprising a working reach and a return reach, a drive mechanism for propelling the at least one carriage about the endless path, an engagement member (250) for frictionally engaging with an article (B) in a package (1), the engagement member moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position wherein the engagement member is rotationally driven by a rotary drive mechanism comprising a first component (244) rotationally mounted to the carriage and a second component (234) which engages with the first component such that the first component rotates as the carriage is driven about the endless path.

Abstract: An apparatus for a packaging machine comprising; a first conveyor for conveying an input stream of articles, a second conveyor for conveying an output stream of articles, a guide path configured as a loop and one or more tools coupled to the guide path. Each tool comprises a tool head for engaging with one or more articles in the input stream. The tool head is operable to transfer the one or more articles from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. The one or more articles are placed upon the second conveyor in discrete groups having one or more tiers.

Abstract: A packaging machine (10) for continuously packaging articles (B) comprising a first conveyor line (23), a second conveyor line (22a, 22b, 22c) and a transfer mechanism (26a, 26b) which transfers articles (B) from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line into a primary or intermediate carton (C) or transfers primary or intermediate cartons (C) from a second conveyor line to the articles (B) and a second transfer mechanism which transfers packaged articles (B) in said primary or intermediate cartons (C) from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line to be packaged in secondary or final cartons (T) or transfers articles (B) from the first conveyor to the second conveyor to be packaged directly in the secondary or final cartons (T) or which second transfer mechanism is adapted for reorientation of articles (B) or packaged articles (B) in said primary or intermediate cartons (C) or which second transfer mechanism is idle allowing primary or intermediate cartons to pass for further processing.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging articles into cartons includes a first conveyor for conveying cartons along a carton stream, a second conveyor for conveying first article groups adjacent to the carton stream, a third conveyor for conveying divider pads adjacent to the carton stream, and a fourth conveyor for conveying second article groups adjacent to the carton stream. A first lateral transfer mechanism transfers the first article groups transversely into cartons within the carton stream. A second lateral transfer mechanism transfers the divider pads transversely into the cartons within the carton stream and onto said first article groups contained therein. A third lateral transfer mechanism transfers the second article groups transversely into the cartons within the carton stream and onto the divider pads contained therein.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging one or more articles in a package; the packaging machine comprising a first article path and a second article path; wherein the packaging machine comprises a first apparatus for packaging articles in a paperboard carton; and a second apparatus for packaging articles in a plastics material; the packaging machine comprising at least one transfer device for transferring articles between a pair of conveyors to select either the first article path or the second article path; the packaging machine being configurable such that the articles may follow either the first or second article path such that the articles may be packaged in either or both of the paperboard carton and the plastics material.

Abstract: A tool assembly (20) for folding a carrier (H) comprising a first pair of fingers (24a) for gripping a blank (B) for forming the carrier (H), a second pair of fingers (24b) for gripping the blank (B), the first pair of fingers (24a) being pivotally coupled with respect to one another, and the second pair of fingers (24b) being pivotally coupled with respect to one another, the first and second pairs of fingers being coupled to an actuator for movement between a receiving position and a gripping position wherein the fingers are operable to engage a blank (B) in the receiving position and fold said blank (B) when disposed in the gripping position, at least one pair of fingers being rotationally mounted to a body (42) of a tool head (22) and coupled to a drive mechanism (32a, 32b) for rotation with respect to the body (42), such that a first portion of the blank (B) is foldable with respect to a second portion.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprising an orientation system for orientating an article within a package, the orientation system comprising at least one carriage (240) moveable about an endless path comprising a working reach and a return reach, a drive mechanism for propelling the at least one carriage about the endless path, an engagement member (250) for frictionally engaging with an article (B) in a package (1), the engagement member moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position wherein the engagement member is rotationally driven by a rotary drive mechanism comprising a first component (244) rotationally mounted to the carriage and a second component (234) which engages with the first component such that the first component rotates as the carriage is driven about the endless path.

Abstract: A packaging system (10) for packaging on or more articles the packaging system comprising two or more devices (14, 16, 20, 24, 32, 34) each for performing at least one packaging operation upon on or more articles, each of the two or more packaging devices being coupled to one another in a linear series by a first conveyor (19), the system comprising at least one bypass conveyor (26, 28) providing a forward bypass path and/or a reverse bypass path for bypassing one or more of the devices in a forward and/or reverse direction, and wherein there comprises one or more transfer switches (18, 22, 30, 36) for transferring one or more articles between the first conveyor and the at least one bypass conveyor.

Abstract: An article configuration system comprising a first conveyor (90) for transferring articles (B) from an input and a second conveyor (88), disposed at a non-linear angle relative to the first conveyor, for transferring articles to an output. The article processing system comprises a mechanism (30) for transferring articles from the first conveyor (90) to the second conveyor (88). The mechanism (30) is structured and arranged to facilitate the reorganization of articles conveyed by the first conveyor such that when transferred to the second conveyor the articles are disposed in adjacent metered lanes (124a-124f) and wherein the number of adjacent metered lanes of articles conveyed by the second conveyor (88) is greater than the number of adjacent lanes of articles (100, 102) conveyed by the first conveyor.

Abstract: A packaging machine (10) for continuously packaging articles (B) comprising a first conveyor line (23), a second conveyor line (22a, 22b, 22c) and a transfer mechanism (26a, 26b) which transfers articles (B) from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line into a primary or intermediate carton (C) or transfers primary or intermediate cartons (C) from a second conveyor line to the articles (B) and a second transfer mechanism which transfers packaged articles (B) in said primary or intermediate cartons (C) from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line to be packaged in secondary or final cartons (T) or transfers articles (B) from the first conveyor to the second conveyor to be packaged directly in the secondary or final cartons (T) or which second transfer mechanism is adapted for reorientation of articles (B) or packaged articles (B) in said primary or intermediate cartons (C) or which second transfer mechanism is idle allowing primary or intermediate cartons to pass for further processing.

Abstract: A lug chain apparatus having lugs (22), an endless chain (30) and a positioning mechanism (20). The lugs (22) are releasably engageable with the chain (30). The positioning wheel (20) engages the lugs (22) and moves them along the chain (30), to predetermined locations along the chain respectively. Each lug (22) includes locking mechanism (24, 26, 31) that holds that lug (22) in a predetermined location along the chain (30) when in a locking state, and allows movement of that lug (22) along said chain (30) when in a releasing state, such that repositioning of the lugs (22) along the chain (30) is effected without removal of the lugs (22) from the chain (30).