Abstract: An apparatus for packaging of loose product includes a loading station, a box forming station and an uploading station. The loading station includes moveable chutes in spaced apart relation. Each chute has an open top, an open upstream end, and an open downstream end. The open top is configured to receive loose product while moving along a first feed path. The box forming station is operable to partially erect boxes in spaced apart relation with first and second open sides and align the first open side of each box with the downstream end of a corresponding chute while moving along a second feed path. The unloading station includes a stationary vacuum head in communication with the second open side of each box. The vacuum head provides a continuous vacuum source along the second feed path operable to move loose product from the chute into the boxes.

Abstract: The method includes covering a first opening of at least one first chute using a lid, delivering air from a pressurized air source into the at least one first chute, and advancing at least one first plunger through a first end of the at least one first chute to transfer a product through a second end of the at least one first chute and into a first open side of at least one first box.

Abstract: A sleeve operable to at least partially contain a cylindrical article, the sleeve including opposing planar side panels; bowed dust flaps extending upwardly from said side panels; front and back panels, each having rounded, upper corner portions; and overlapping top panels in superposing relation to upper portions of said bowed dust flaps, said overlapping top panels being mutually secured, whereby said bowed dust flaps are retained in a bowed condition that conforms with said rounded upper panel portions of said front and back panels.

Abstract: The package includes a first sleeve, the first sleeve including, a first front panel and a first back panel that oppose each other, a first side panel and a second side panel that oppose each other, and at least one first top panel that at least partially assists in closing a first end of the first sleeve. A respective free edge of the first front panel, the first back panel, the first side panel and the second side panel collectively define a first opening at a second end of the first sleeve. The first front panel, the first back panel, the first side panel and the second side panel collectively form a first rounded corner and a second rounded corner on the first end of the first sleeve.

Abstract: The package includes a first sleeve, the first sleeve including, a first front panel and a first back panel that oppose each other, a first side panel and a second side panel that oppose each other, and at least one first top panel that at least partially assists in closing a first end of the first sleeve. A respective free edge of the first front panel, the first back panel, the first side panel and the second side panel collectively define a first opening at a second end of the first sleeve. The first front panel, the first back panel, the first side panel and the second side panel collectively form a first rounded corner and a second rounded corner on the first end of the first sleeve.

Abstract: The method includes covering a first opening of at least one first chute using a lid, delivering air from a pressurized air source into the at least one first chute, and advancing at least one first plunger through a first end of the at least one first chute to transfer a product through a second end of the at least one first chute and into a first open side of at least one first box.

Abstract: A sleeve operable to at least partially contain two cylindrical articles in side-by-side or back-to-back relation, the sleeve including first and second openings or a single opening in a bottom thereof and the first and second cylindrical articles contained within the sleeve such that portions of the first and second cylindrical articles are exposed outside the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of filling packaging with pouches of product comprises conveying a plurality of spaced apart chutes along a first feed path. Each chute is loaded with pouches of product at a chute loading station. Erect boxes are conveyed along a second feed path to a chute unloading station wherein the second feed path is substantially parallel to the first feed path at the chute unloading station. The pouches of product are transferred from the chutes into interior spaces of the erect boxes at the chute unloading station as the chutes move along the first feed path and the erect boxes move along the second feed path. The chutes are returned to the chute loading station to be filled with pouches of product.

Abstract: A sleeve operable to at least partially contain two cylindrical articles in side-by-side or back-to-back relation, the sleeve including first and second openings or a single opening in a bottom thereof and the first and second cylindrical articles contained within the sleeve such that portions of the first and second cylindrical articles are exposed outside the sleeve.

Abstract: A sleeve operable to at least partially contain two cylindrical articles in side-by-side or back-to-back relation, the sleeve including first and second openings or a single opening in a bottom thereof and the first and second cylindrical articles contained within the sleeve such that portions of the first and second cylindrical articles are exposed outside the sleeve.

Abstract: A sleeve operable to at least partially contain two cylindrical articles in side-by-side or back-to-back relation, the sleeve including first and second openings or a single opening in a bottom thereof and the first and second cylindrical articles contained within the sleeve such that portions of the first and second cylindrical articles are exposed outside the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of filling packaging with pouches of product comprises conveying a plurality of spaced apart chutes along a first feed path. Each chute is loaded with pouches of product at a chute loading station. Erect boxes are conveyed along a second feed path to a chute unloading station wherein the second feed path is substantially parallel to the first feed path at the chute unloading station. The pouches of product are transferred from the chutes into interior spaces of the erect boxes at the chute unloading station as the chutes move along the first feed path and the erect boxes move along the second feed path. The chutes are returned to the chute loading station to be filled with pouches of product.

Abstract: A sleeve operable to at least partially contain a cylindrical article, the sleeve including opposing planar side panels; bowed dust flaps extending upwardly from said side panels; front and back panels, each having rounded, upper corner portions; and overlapping top panels in superposing relation to upper portions of said bowed dust flaps, said overlapping top panels being mutually secured, whereby said bowed dust flaps are retained in a bowed condition that conforms with said rounded upper panel portions of said front and back panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging of loose product includes a loading station, a box forming station and an uploading station. The loading station includes moveable chutes in spaced apart relation. Each chute has an open top, an open upstream end, and an open downstream end. The open top is configured to receive loose product while moving along a first feed path. The box forming station is operable to partially erect boxes in spaced apart relation with first and second open sides and align the first open side of each box with the downstream end of a corresponding chute while moving along a second feed path. The unloading station includes a stationary vacuum head in communication with the second open side of each box. The vacuum head provides a continuous vacuum source along the second feed path operable to move loose product from the chute into the boxes.

Abstract: A sleeve operable to at least partially contain a cylindrical article, the sleeve including opposing planar side panels; bowed dust flaps extending upwardly from said side panels; front and back panels, each having rounded, upper corner portions; and overlapping top panels in superposing relation to upper portions of said bowed dust flaps, said overlapping top panels being mutually secured, whereby said bowed dust flaps are retained in a bowed condition that conforms with said rounded upper panel portions of said front and back panels

Abstract: A sleeve operable to at least partially contain a cylindrical article, the sleeve including opposing planar side panels; bowed dust flaps extending upwardly from said side panels; front and back panels, each having rounded, upper corner portions; and overlapping top panels in superposing relation to upper portions of said bowed dust flaps, said overlapping top panels being mutually secured, whereby said bowed dust flaps are retained in a bowed condition that conforms with said rounded upper panel portions of said front and back panels.

Abstract: A sleeve operable to at least partially contain a cylindrical article, the sleeve including opposing planar side panels; bowed dust flaps extending upwardly from said side panels; front and back panels, each having rounded, upper corner portions; and overlapping top panels in superposing relation to upper portions of said bowed dust flaps, said overlapping top panels being mutually secured, whereby said bowed dust flaps are retained in a bowed condition that conforms with said rounded upper panel portions of said front and back panels