Abstract: A method of making a preassembled display with automatic stackable supports (PDASS) is described. A PDASS may include two or more blanks (for example pieces of corrugated paperboard) that are joined together, for example to initially form a knocked down flat (KDF). The PDASS may include an insert formed from a single blank, where the single insert blank, when the whole display is erected, automatically erects and provides asymmetric supports that form at opposing corners of the outer blank.

Abstract: A container for packaging and displaying retail goods is disclosed. The container comprises a top cover portion, a bottom container portion rotatably attached to the top cover portion, and one or more tear tapes disposed between the top cover portion and the bottom container portion where the bottom container portion is attached to the top cover portion, wherein the top cover portion is configured to be held closed to the bottom container portion at one or more removable pull tabs and the top section is configured to be detachably removed from the bottom section by removing the one or more tear tapes and the one or more removable pull tabs. A method for making the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing containers, the resulting containers therefrom and the associated pre-assemblies and blanks used in the method and in the resulting containers. The method includes cutting a primary blank and at least one supplementary blank, affixing them together to form a pre-assembly, and assembly the container from the pre-assembly.

Abstract: An flexible pouch forming apparatus includes a transport means for transporting front and back panel films. A straw hole punch punches a straw hole with predetermined diameter in the front panel film. A seal material transport means unrolls a roll of seal material tape. A temporal hole punch punches a temporal hole in the seal material tape, and a guide means aligns the temporally punched section of seal material tape with the straw hole. A temporal heat sealing device temporally seals a periphery of the temporally punched section of seal tape material to the back side of the front panel film. An alignment station aligns the films to form the pouch body. A final heat seal means applies a final seal over the temporal heat seal at a lower temperature and pressure than the temporal heat seal. A seal means seals the edges, and a finishing station finishes the pouch.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a method of manufacturing containers and resulting containers and associated pre-assemblies and blanks are provided, which, when utilized, result in containers that have increased side panel strength and corner strength so as to enable effective vertical stacking of containers when the containers include product.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pouch with a straw hole is provided that includes the steps of feeding a front-side film forming one panel of the pouch and a back-side film forming an other panel, from a roll of material, and punching a straw hole in one panel of the pouch. The method also includes the steps of feeding a seal material tape with a plurality of temporally punched portions, and each temporal punched portion has a size slightly larger than that of the straw hole, to a rear side of the panel with the straw hole. The method further includes the steps of temporally sealing the temporally punched portion of the seal material tape over the straw hole by aligning one temporally punched portion of the seal material tape with the straw hole, separating the temporally punched portion from the seal material tape and temporally sealing the temporally punched portion to the one panel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pouch with a straw hole is provided that includes the steps of feeding a front-side film forming one panel of the pouch and a back-side film forming an other panel, from a roll of material, and punching a straw hole in one panel of the pouch. The method also includes the steps of feeding a seal material tape with a plurality of temporally punched portions, and each temporal punched portion has a size slightly larger than that of the straw hole, to a rear side of the panel with the straw hole. The method further includes the steps of temporally sealing the temporally punched portion of the seal material tape over the straw hole by aligning one temporally punched portion of the seal material tape with the straw hole, separating the temporally punched portion from the seal material tape and temporally sealing the temporally punched portion to the one panel.

Abstract: A symmetrical preform that provides protection to an equipment component (or other fragile or breakable item), provides ease in use during pre-packing and packing of an equipment component for transport, does not require the need for additional packing components in combination with the packaging assembly, and is economically suited for its end use, is provided for. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for making an integral, one piece packing assembly having symmetrical characteristics and being comprised of a flexible, corrugated-shaped material that is capable of protectively encapsulating, in a predetermined arrangement, a fragile component to ready for further movement, transport or packaging.

Abstract: A moveable tape head mechanism for a box erecting machine having a fixed guide rail and an adjustable guide rail includes a cradle which carries a tape head, the cradle being horizontally slidable between operational and loading positions to expedite replacement of a tape roll contained thereon. In the operational position, the tape head mechanism is detachably held by a pin in operational alignment with a box flap closure apparatus. The tape head mechanism is moved from the operational positional to the loading position by installing a cover plate over the tape head to compress the rollers into the tape head, disengaging the pin from its corresponding receptacle formed on the flap closure apparatus, and sliding the tape head mechanism under a frame member and outside the perimeter of the box erecting machine. When the tape head is in the loading position, the tape roll is located outside the perimeter of the box erecting machine to facilitate replacement thereof.

Abstract: A moveable tape head mechanism for a box erecting machine having a fixed guide rail and an adjustable guide rail includes a cradle which carries a tape head, the cradle being horizontally slidable between operational and loading positions to expedite replacement of a tape roll contained thereon. In the operational position, the tape head mechanism is detachably held by a pin in operational alignment with a box flap closure apparatus. The tape head mechanism is moved from the operational positional to the loading position by installing a cover plate over the tape head to compress the rollers into the tape head, disengaging the pin from its corresponding receptacle formed on the flap closure apparatus, and sliding the tape head mechanism under a frame member and outside the perimeter of the box erecting machine. When the tape head is in the loading position, the tape roll is located outside the perimeter of the box erecting machine to facilitate replacement thereof.

Abstract: A shipping carton (10) is formed from a primary box (11) and an extension box (12) adapted to be joined together in a connected position. The primary box (11) may contain a base product while the extension box (12) provides room for optional items which may be purchased together with the base product. When joined together in the connected position, the combined boxes provide the unitary shipping carton (10) which accommodates both the base product and optional items. The extension box (12) includes at least two stabilizing tabs (16, 17). The stabilizing tabs (16, 17) extend from a connecting side (32) of the extension box (12) which is adapted to abut a side of the primary box (11) when the boxes are in the connected position. The stabilizing tabs (16, 17) function to stabilize the extension box (12) from lateral movement with respect to the primary box (11).

Abstract: A moveable tape head mechanism for a box erecting machine having a fixed guide rail and an adjustable guide rail includes a cradle which carries a tape head, the cradle being horizontally slidable between operational and loading positions to expedite replacement of a tape roll contained thereon. In the operational position, the tape head mechanism is detachably held by a pin in operational alignment with a box flap closure apparatus. The tape head mechanism is moved from the operational positional to the loading position by installing a cover plate over the tape head to compress the rollers into the tape head, disengaging the pin from its corresponding receptacle formed on the flap closure apparatus, and sliding the tape head mechanism under a frame member and outside the perimeter of the box erecting machine. When the tape head is in the loading position, the tape roll is located outside the perimeter of the box erecting machine to facilitate replacement thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a pre-wrapped gift package which appears to have been hand wrapped. The method includes forming a sheet of box construction material with decorative paper affixed thereto into a flattened box tube by joining ends thereof. The box construction material is properly creased and provided with flaps so that a consumer may erect the flattened box tube into an open box so that the end flaps form ends of the box and the decorative paper forms a pair of paper flaps which may be overlapped and secured. A volume sizer is provided in the form of creased box construction material which, when erected, provides an illustration of the volume made available when the pre-wrapped gift box is erected. Box loading devices, particularly useful for shirt box sized packages, are provided in the form of inner sleeves and mechanical devices into which the gift is placed before insertion into the pre-wrapped gift box.

Abstract: A carton flap folding and sealing machine includes a separator, a conveyor, a first folding device, a second folding device, a third folding device and a sealing device. Cartons are orderly position by the separator and sent on the conveyor and moved forward to pass through the first folding device and the second folding device for a front flap and a rear flap folded down, and then through the third folding device for two side flaps folded down. Then cartons are moving into the sealing device to receive sealing operation without interruption, by means of two pairs of glue tapes disposed on a tape support frame and two pairs of upper bases and lower bases working alternately.

Abstract: An apparatus for erecting cases from flat blanks (20'). The apparatus includes a frame (42), a hopper (48), a vacuum arm (68), minor flap folders (80), major flap folders (90, 108), a case pusher bar (98), and a tape applicator (112). The frame includes a deck (54). The hopper is attached to the frame at an input end (144) of the frame. It includes guide members (58) to receive a stack of the flat blanks. The vacuum arm is attached near a feed end (124) of the hopper. The arm has vacuum suction cups (70) to pull the flat cases from the hopper into a tubular configuration against the deck. The trailing and leading minor flap folders are arranged and configured to fold the trailing and leading minor flaps, respectively, of a case after it has been pulled from the hopper. The top major flap folder is positioned above the deck near the feed end of the hopper. It folds the top major flap after a case has been pulled from the hopper. The bottom major flap folder is disposed beneath the deck.

Abstract: A paper package for use with milk, fruit juice or the like beverage products having a pulling-to-open member of polyethelene terephthalate and polyester film and an adhesive of synthetic rubber such as nitrile rubber for the provision of a positive opening effect of such packages.

Abstract: A carton assembly machine for assembling a cover on a base is disclosed. The machine includes a frame and a first conveyor for transporting a plurality of bases. A second conveyor transports a plurality of folded covers. At an unfolding station, suction cups grasp the folded cover and are pivoted to open the cover. The cover is then moved to an assembly station where it is positioned over a carton base. A plurality of hand assemblies are moved vertically downwardly to grasp the cover and move it into overlying relationship with the base. The hand assemblies are then removed and the assembled carton moved to a tape station where tape heads apply a strip of tape to the assembled cover and base. After taping, the assembled carton is removed from the carton assembly machine.

Abstract: A cardboard toy or the like formed from a pattern in-the-flat and method. The pattern includes a plurality of panels each defined by a combination of straight fold lines and edges. Adjacent and parallel to each edge is an elongated slot defining a flap or tab between the slot and edge and arranged such that, when the pattern is folded into the configuration of the toy, opposing pairs of flaps and spaced slots are brought together. A length of one sided adhesive tape is then passed through the slots and around the mating flaps and adhered to form a tight retaining band securing each connection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a box sealer for attaching adhesive tape in an L-shape on corners of a box for medical drugs, cosmetics, etc. The box is first received at a rectangular corner furnished on a top surface of the box sealer, and adhesive tape of a predetermined dimensions is sent out from below and is cut. By sliding attachment plates at the corner of one side and at the bottom of the box, the adhesive tape is attached in the L-shaped form. Knurled rollers for sending out the adhesive tape are furnished in tandem, and one of the rollers is rotated by twice as many revolutions as the other roller. Further, a microswitch for detecting the box and rotating a motor is mounted near the rectangular window of the housing, and a pair of operating pins of the microswitch are provided in parallel.

Abstract: A container having a housing enclosing an internal compartment and having a wall bounding the compartment with an opening therein and a substantially transparent band for extending across the opening for retaining the container in a sealed condition after filling while permitting viewing of the contents of the compartment through the band.

Abstract: A number of cases are stored horizontally in a stack in a magazine. A bottom upper-inner flap of a flat folded case is folded downward to open the case by a flap-folding member while the case is being lifted from a magazine station to a flap-folding station, and while attracted to and held by a suction cup. The case is opened during this lifting and folding step. Once the bottom upper-inner flap has been folded downward, it comes into the space between the bottom outer flaps. The bottom upper-inner flap, which has been folded downward, pushes the left outer flap during the lifting operation. As the case is lifted higher and higher, both outer side flaps are opened simultaneously. The case is therefore gradually opened, during lifting, thereby forming a hollow cylindrical case. The remianing bottom flaps are closed and then sealed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a videocassette storage and display sleeve having identifying indicia thereon for use with or without the videocassette. The sleeve is convertible from its rectangular box-like original form to a flattened display form with portions removed and then back to its reformed rectangular form with an adhesively-attachable tab member to form a partial sidewall to form the reconstituted rectangular box or cover. The method of reestablishing the original cover by reforming the rectangular form is also disclosed.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a box forming machine operable to raise folded box material to a box frame, and to fold the edges that comprise the box bottom into a bottom area and to tape the folded edges. The forming equipment is equipped with a box material supply that stores folded box stock material. The apparatus withdraws a piece of box material from the box material supply station by means of a vacuum chuck. The box stock material is raised to a box frame by means of a raise guide and further to a bottom folding station that folds the inner box edges which extend in a direction transverse to a taping direction. Outer edges are then folded into the bottom areas along the taping direction and a tape head tapes together the inner edges by means of a tape head drive.

Abstract: A buffing apparatus is provided for use in association with a case sealing arrangement, to buff lead and rear depending tape tails against a tape/carton combination. The buffing apparatus includes a single buffing member moved, by means of a motive mechanism, between paths and motion. The first path of motion is defined such that the buffing member is moved against a lead tape tail, and then is retracted so that a rear tape tail can pass thereover. The second path of motion is defined such that the buffing member is brought upwardly against the rear tape tail, to buff same into position, while returning the buffing member to the first extreme position. For preferred embodiments, the first and second paths of motion are identical, but opposite, to one another. In one embodiment, the paths of motion are defined by a cam track/follower arrangement. In a second embodiment, a link mechanism is described, which accomplishes a desired motion.

Abstract: In combination, a container made of sheets of fibrous material, said sheets adhered together by glue, and a tape for reinforcing at least part of said container, said tape adhered flat to said fibrous material over substantially its entire length, said tape having a thickness lying between 0.05 and 0.30 millimeters, said tape being weftless and made of parallel yarn ends, each made of several fibers selected from the group consisting of polyester, rayon and polyamide fibers, and an adhesive bonding said yarn ends together, each of said yarn end having gauge range from 100 to 12,000 deniers, there being up to 350 yarn ends in the tape, said yarn ends being flattened with their major cross-sectional dimension being greater than the diameter of the original round yarn ends used for making the tape by an amount varying between 35% and 100%, said adhesive filling the interstices between the yarn ends and providing a generally smooth surface at said main faces, said adhesive chosen to be compatible with said glue.