Abstract: A flap folding mechanism includes a base. The flap folding mechanism also includes a backing plate, coupled to the base. The flap folding mechanism further includes a pair of flap folding fingers, coupled to the base. The flap folding mechanism additionally include a first actuator, configured to rotate the pair of flap folding fingers relative to the backing plate between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. The flap folding mechanism also includes a second actuator, configured to move the pair of flap folding fingers relative to each other between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier (90; 290; 490) for packaging one or more articles and to a blank (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) for forming the carrier. The carrier comprises a main panel (12; 112; 212, 222; 312, 322A, 322B; 412, 422A, 422B) including an article retention structure (RT; RT1, RT2) having an article receiving opening defined in part by at least a pair of opposing engaging tabs (40, 42; 140, 142; 240, 242, 246, 248; 340, 342, 346, 348; 440, 442, 446, 448) each having a length (L1, L2) greater than a half of the distance (L3) between their hinged connections (13A, 41; 213, 215, 241, 247, 249; 313, 315, 341, 347, 349; 413, 415, 441, 447, 449) to the main panel (12; 112; 212, 222; 312, 322A, 322B; 412, 422A, 422B).

Abstract: Systems and methods for securing an orientation of a container (40) in a package (25) are disclosed, which includes positioning a plurality of containers in a predetermined orientation, wrapping the arrangement of containers in a paperboard package, and applying an adhesive (50) within the package to secure the orientation of at least one container in the package.

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: 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: An apparatus (100) for manipulating articles initially disposed in a stack (S), which apparatus (100) comprises a moveable head (2) and a receptacle (5), the receptacle (5) being disposable adjacent a stack (S) of articles and the moveable head (2) being operable to abut and transfer selected articles from the stack (S) into the receptacle (5). The receptacle (5) is a comb-like box which makes it possible to deposit the articles on a roller conveyor (7).

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 packaging machine comprising two independent paths (26, 28) upon which articles (C) to be contained by a carton (6) are conveyed from an infeed end (56) to an integral tertiary packaging device (12, 24). Cartons directly output from said two independent paths are merged and combined with a tertiary package (8), the tertiary packages are conveyed along a transfer means out of said tertiary packaging device travelling at a speed the same as that of each of the two independent paths (26, 28).

Abstract: A device for opening pre-glued, pre-folded sleeves into cartons. The device includes a cam wheel (20) to which are connected one or more suction arms (22). The cam wheel can be controlled to rotated at different angular velocities. A first angular velocity allows sleeves comprising a certain number of panels to be opened, and a second angular velocity allows sleeves of a different number of panels to be opened.

Abstract: A metering system (1) for grouping and spacing articles (A) that are initially in a stream of articles passing within a working reach of the metering system, which metering system comprises a plurality of tools (10), which tools are arranged and adapted to be brought into contact with and subsequently accelerate some portion of the article stream, thereby to create a spaced group, wherein each tool comprises an integral drive means that is controllable independently of the integral drive means of each other tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging articles, which apparatus comprises a first packaging mechanism (14) for forming secondary packages, in a sequential manner, around successive groups of articles, transfer means (20) to convey each of the formed secondary packages, each containing a group of articles, to a second packaging mechanism (42), and to manipulate selected ones of those secondary packages, as they are so conveyed, so as to form successive groups of secondary packages, the second packaging mechanism then forming tertiary packages (50) around those groups of secondary packages.

Abstract: A device for opening pre-glued, pre-folded sleeves into cartons. The device includes a cam wheel (20) to which are connected one or more suction arms (22). The cam wheel can be controlled to rotated at different angular velocities. A first angular velocity allows sleeves comprising a certain number of panels to be opened, and a second angular velocity allows sleeves of a different number of panels to be opened.

Abstract: A system for metering articles (C) includes staging conveyor (16) and a transfer conveyor (26) extending along a conveyor path. The transfer conveyor (26) has at least two independent sets of conveying elements (44, 48). The system also includes a supply unit and a control unit (40). A first set of conveying elements (44) is held stationary at the loading zone while a first group of articles is supplied from the staging conveyor to the loading zone. Thereafter, the first group of articles (C) is moved to the exit point. The control unit also controls a second set of conveying elements (48) such that after the first group of articles is moved from the loading zone, the second set (48) is held stationary at the loading zone while a second group of articles is transferred from the staging conveyor to the loading zone.

Abstract: A conveyor for beverage packages includes an endless series of spacer elements by which successive packages (A) are spaced apart from one another. Each spacer element of the series includes a pair of leading and trailing carton engaging lugs (412, 414). The leading and trailing lugs (412, 414) are adjustable from a first setting in which both the leading and trailing lugs of each pair are in abutment with one another to a second setting in which the leading and trailing lugs of each pair are separated from one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for withdrawing from a carton feed hopper collapsed cartons having oppositely disposed panels and for initiating set up thereof, comprises carton pick-up means for sequentially engaging one of the opposed panels and for withdrawing from the hopper a collapsed carton which includes the one panel, and means for transferring the carton orbitally about a primary generally horizontal axis from the hopper to an infeed end of a packaging machine. Panel engaging means is provided within the path of orbit for engaging the other of the panels in a manner to pull the other panel in a direction away from the carton pick-up means so as to initiate opening of the carton.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a mechanism and method for erecting a box from a foldable sheet material, such as paperboard. The mechanism comprises a first conveyor for receiving and conveying successive box blanks in a first generally horizontal plane and a second conveyor for receiving partially erected box blanks from the first conveyor and for completing the box forming in a second generally horizontal plane displaced vertically from said first horizontal plane. The first conveyor includes an inclined run extending towards the second conveyor during which inclined run successive box blanks are partially erected by successive transverse arms. Each of the arms cooperates with a box blank in the inclined run to fold the box blank so that it can be received and further folded by folding lugs provided by the second conveyor. The conveyor drives are coordinated so that the horizontal component of speed of the inclined run is synchronized with that of the second conveyor.

Abstract: A carton manipulating device for rotating a carton in a packaging machine, which apparatus comprises carton pick up means adapted to engage at least one carton from the infeed stream and to convey the carton through a working reach of the apparatus and wherein the pick up means is rotatable intermittently along the working reach to cause the carton to be rotated during continuous forward movement.

Abstract: Apparatus to tighten opposed ends of a wraparound carton around an article in a stream of articles of variable size during continuous forward movement, the apparatus comprising one or more panel engaging elements to engage one end panel of the carton, a guide assembly to guide the engaged end panel into overlapping relationship with the opposed end panel held by the apparatus, and tightening device for tightening the carton panels around the article.