Abstract: A system and method for forming knock-down blanks from die-cut flat blanks used for forming shipping cartons or cases, comprising positioning a flat blank in a forming device, wherein the flat blank has four panels each with a middle portion, a top flap hingeably connected to the middle portion and a bottom flap hingeably connected to the middle portion, wherein the fourth panel has a tab formed on the outer edge of its middle portion, wherein the forming device includes a first mechanically operated arm and a second mechanically operated arm, wherein the first arm contacts the first panel, and wherein the second arm contacts the fourth panel; applying adhesive to the tab; and using the first and second arms to fold the first and fourth panels 180° inward, wherein the adhesive on the tab joins the first and fourth panels together.

Abstract: A system and method for forming knock-down blanks from die-cut flat blanks used for forming shipping cartons or cases, comprising positioning a flat blank in a forming device, wherein the flat blank has four panels each with a middle portion, a top flap hingeably connected to the middle portion and a bottom flap hingeably connected to the middle portion, wherein the fourth panel has a tab formed on the outer edge of its middle portion, wherein the forming device includes a first mechanically operated arm and a second mechanically operated arm, wherein the first arm contacts the first panel, and wherein the second arm contacts the fourth panel; applying adhesive to the tab; and using the first and second arms to fold the first and fourth panels 180° inward, wherein the adhesive on the tab joins the first and fourth panels together.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for setting up bottle carrier baskets from a flat folded configuration to an expanded and locked condition. The carrier basket is picked from a magazine storage location by a pick up head with vacuum cups and transferred to a pair of opposed opener heads with vacuum cups. The opener heads move along divergent paths to expand the carrier basket and a linear brake slows the carrier handle to cause the body to move past the handle, positioning a notch in the bottom panel to engage a hook in the central wall. A rotating kicker raises the bottom panel, engaging the hook and the notch as the vacuum is released from the opener vacuum cups.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously creating a pair of inner packing and then simultaneously placing them into side-by-side cartons by pulling the lead inner packing from two sets of inner packings, moving the pulled inner packings towards each other until they are positioned side by side, gripping the inner packings and opening them and finally, while being gripped, moving the inner packings into the side by side cartons.

Abstract: In a dividable shipping carton, there are abutting C-shaped dividers which angled or chamfered to provide a space adjacent each side wall, each being dimensioned to receive the blade of a severing knife and to continue to receive the blade even with substantial deviation of the blade from the guide line and thereby prevent cutting of plastic bottles, etc. inside the carton.

Abstract: In an integrated, continuous, container packing machine, where a constant supply of filled containers are moved along an axis and separated into discrete groups with each group fed to an insert station wherein a partition is inserted between containers of the group and then the group with the partition is fed to an operation to be placed or packed in a shipping medium, improvements which permit the machine to be rapidly changed for running a new batch of containers where the physical characteristics of the group and/or the physical characteristics of the containers in the group are different from the corresponding characteristics in the previously run batch.

Abstract: In an integrated container packing system where a mass of randomly oriented containers enter the system and are manipulated so that a partition can be inserted between groups of containers and then each group with the partition are placed in a shipping medium ready to be sent to inventory, the method of inserting the partition by relatively moving the containers and the partition in a forward direction, controlling the relative motion so that in alternately occurring periods of time, the velocity of the relative motion during one period of time is zero and during the next period of time the velocity of the relative motion gradually increases from zero to a maximum and then gradually back to zero and during each time the relative motion velocity is at zero, inserting the partition between a group of containers.

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: 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.