Abstract: Techniques for erecting folded-flat cases are described herein. In a first example, a grasping tool is moved along a supporting beam in two directions in a first dimension. The supporting beam is configured for movement along first and second beams two directions in a second dimension. The grasping tool is configured to grasp and open a folded-flat case. In a second example, the grasping tool is configured with a rotation arm. A rotation-control beam defines a track, within which a pin connected to the rotation arm is configured to slide. A motor drives the rotation-control beam in two directions in one dimension, to thereby rotate the grasping tool.

Abstract: A system is claimed for forming a container from a tubular blank comprising a plurality of panels and flaps interconnected to provide a generally flattened tubular configuration. A first and second panels are provided with the second panel being rotatable relative to the first panel. The system may comprise a first engagement device for engaging the first panel and a second engagement device for engaging the second panel, and being located on a panel rotating apparatus operable to rotate the second panel from an orientation generally parallel to the first panel to a second orientation at an angle to the first panel. The generally flattened tubular blank may be reconfigured from a generally flattened configuration to an open configuration.

Abstract: A dunnage producing system is disclosed. The system comprises a material feed section configured to feed a sheet stock material into the system to convert it into a dunnage product. The system further comprises a drive belt having a plurality of lugs fixed on the drive belt configured to engage one or more die-cut openings in the sheet stock or roll stock material. The system further comprises one or more folding mandrels and a glue feed section. The folding mandrels capture the engaged sheet stock or roll stock material between the drive belt and folding mandrels. The glue feed section comprises a tank loaded with pre-melted adhesive material, a hose to transfer the pre-melted adhesive material, and a dispensing nozzle to pump the melted adhesive material to the sheet stock material. A controller then receives measurement information and controls the functions of the system to produce dunnage product.

Abstract: A system for automatically folding a box for fast food delivery is disclosed. The system includes a wall, a track within the wall, a conveyer channel located adjacent to the wall. The panels are initially arranged within the channel, so a first panel is positioned above and in front of the second panel. The panels will move in a series of five positions. The first position having the first panel and second panel adjacent to one another. The second position shifting the second panel downward to a height lower than the first. The third position moving the first panel so that it is substantially vertical creating an angle near 90 degrees between the first and second panel. The fourth position returning the first panel proximate to its original position. And a fifth position having a portion of the first panel extended over the second panel.

Abstract: A container having a locking closure and a method of forming the locking closure. The container includes bottom, side and top walls and at least one of the walls being an opening wall formed of panels which provide an opening to an interior of the container and which overlap to provide the locking a closure of the opening wall. In a closed condition of the container, a bottommost panel of the opening wall is partially overlapped by adjacent panels of the opening wall and a topmost panel of the opening wall located opposite the bottommost panel partially overlaps the adjacent panels and the bottommost panel. A tab of the bottommost panel is lifted upwardly to partially overlap the topmost panel to form the locking closure.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a container from a blank is provided. The apparatus includes a blank feeder assembly, and a compression assembly including a mandrel assembly, an upper folding arm assembly including a plurality of folding arms moveable between a first position and a second position, a compression plate, and a rollover arm assembly.

Abstract: A case is disclosed that is made from a corrugated material and has a generally flat transversely extending base panel and first and second transversely extending, generally parallel, side wall panels upstanding from, and being oriented generally orthogonal to, the base panel. First and third end wall panels meet at a first vertically extending seam extending upwards from one end of the base panel and second and fourth end wall panels meet at a second vertically extending seam extending upwards from an opposite end of the base panel. A blank for forming such a case is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gift box for gift cards provides a presentation appearing like a gift box for other products, such as jewelry, having strength, three full dimensions, color, quality, and design options. It can receive decorations such as ribbons and bows, greeting cards such as a to/from card, and the like. The box requires no assembly of components, as it comes in a single, integrated whole, including all the parts of the box and its lid, as well as an interior panel presenting the gift, such as a gift card that operates as a debit card with a pre-loaded amount of purchasing value.

Abstract: A gift box for gift cards provides a presentation appearing like gift boxes for other high value products, such as jewelry. With strength, durability, three full dimensions, colors, quality, and design options, it can receive decorations, ribbons, and bows, a to/from card, and the like. Requiring no assembly of components, a single, integrated box includes all parts and configures simply. An interior panel presents a gift card, a debit card pre-loaded with a purchased value. A front flap of the interior panel may tuck down into the box. Alternatively, the panel may be pushed down at the front, leaving the front flap extending straight up, holding the front of the panel downward in place while also serving as an interior, front, wall liner for the box.

Abstract: An insulating shipping system may include a container and an insert assembly which may include an insert configured to be inserted into the container. The insert may have a first blank that may include a center panel, two bottom panels emanating from opposite side edges, wherein each bottom panel has at least one slot, at least one top panel emanating from a top edge of each of the bottom panels, wherein each top panel has at least one tab or flange, and at least one foldable line of weakness disposed between each top panel and bottom panel, wherein the at least one slot is sized to receive the at least one tab or flange. The insert further may include a second blank have a center panel, wherein the center panel is configured to couple to the center panel of the first blank to form at least one walled cavity.

Abstract: This is a method and device for making a packaging box from two blanks (2, 3), wherein blanks are taken simultaneously from two adjacent stacks (25, 26) and placed on two parallel tracks (29, 30), the blanks are transferred flat until butted longitudinally to an assembly station, the first blank is glued on its way to the longitudinal abutment position, the first and second blanks are butted laterally into their respective positions to give them an exact lateral reference position, they are grasped, and transferred laterally, and the second blank is placed on the first blank which is thus indexed, escaping the drivers (61) of the first track (29) when the second blank is placed against the fast blank, but clamped by vertical pressure. The second blank is then applied to the first blank to glue them together in their respective defined longitudinal positions, and the resulting set of blanks is then transferred to an erecting station where the box is erected by rolling the blanks around a core.

Abstract: A recyclable container includes a hollow body having an outer surface and an inner surface. The hollow body includes a top end, a bottom end, and at least one side panel. The at least one side panel defines a fitted cutout, and the hollow body defines a cavity interior to the hollow body and about continuous from the top end to the bottom end. The fitted cutout defines an opening from the outer surface to the cavity. A top panel contacts the top end of the hollow body, and a bottom panel contacts the bottom end of the hollow body.

Abstract: A carton for carrying a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels at least partially extending around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising at least one bottom panel and at least one side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel. The carton further comprises at least one retention tab foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel. The at least one retention tab is for engaging at least a portion of an article of the plurality of articles, and the at least one retention tab comprises a first portion foldably connected to the bottom panel at a first fold line and a second portion foldably connected to the first portion at a second fold line.

Abstract: A blank of material for use in assembling a container is provided. The blank includes four side panels each including a top edge and a bottom edge, and four bottom panels each extending from a respective one of the side panel bottom edges, such that in the assembled container, the bottom and side panels are oriented to at least partially define a compartment configured to store at least one meter therein. The blank further includes at least one securing assembly including a plurality of cutouts shaped and oriented to secure the at least one meter within the compartment in the assembled container, the securing assembly extending from the top edge of one of the side panels.

Abstract: A carton for containing a product. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first end panel, a first side panel, a second end panel, and a second side panel. At least one top flap can be respectively foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The at least one top flap comprises at least an end top flap foldably connected to the second end panel. A dispenser can comprise at least a portion of the end top flap, a tear feature extending at least partially across the end top flap, and a dispenser pattern extending in at least a portion of the end top flap and the second end panel. The dispenser can be positionable between a dispensing position and a closed position after tearing the tear feature.

Abstract: A carton for containing a product. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first end panel, a first side panel, a second end panel, and a second side panel. At least one top flap is respectively foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The at least one top flap at least partially forms a closed top end of the carton. A reclosable lid is positionable between an open position and a closed position. The reclosable lid comprises a central panel that is foldably connected to the at least one top flap. The reclosable lid can be downwardly folded relative to the at least one top flap in the closed position.

Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a top panel foldably connected to the first side panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and a reinforcement panel foldably connected to the second side panel. The top panel can at least partially overlap the reinforcement panel. A reinforcement side flap can be foldably connected to the reinforcement panel, and an inner top reinforcement flap can be foldably connected to the reinforcement panel. The reinforcement panel can at least partially overlap the inner top reinforcement flap.

Abstract: A carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and comprises a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. A plurality of end flaps are respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels and at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The plurality of end flaps can comprise a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel. A reinforcing insert can comprise a central panel, a reinforcing end flap, and a reinforcing side flap. The central panel at least partially overlaps the top panel, the reinforcing side flap is foldably connected to the central panel, and the reinforcing end flap comprises a proximal portion foldably, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion. The distal at least partially overlaps the top end flap.

Abstract: Secondary packaging for a primary package or product that is at least about 2 times and preferably 2.5 times as high as it is wide. The secondary packaging has a window in the front wall through which the product partially extends. Support for the product is provided by support extensions formed from the side walls in the form of tabs formed integrally from the blank from which the secondary packaging is formed. The product may be secured against rotation by being adhered to an top support tab. The bottom of the window may be reinforced by a tab that is folded inward and against the interior of the front wall in which the window is formed. Side panels may be provided on the left and right sides of the window to provide lateral support to the product and also to reinforce the left and right sides of the window.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier comprises at least one bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least two side panels. The interior of the carrier is divided into a front portion and a back portion by a first and second central panel. A first divider flap is foldably attached to the first central panel and extends to the front panel to divide the front portion into at least two container-receiving spaces. A second divider flap is foldably attached to the second central panel and extends to the back panel to divide the back portion into at least two container-receiving spaces. The first central panel has features for facilitating positioning of the second divider flap relative to the second central panel. The second central panel has features for facilitating positioning of the first divider flap relative to the first central panel.

Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably, and a second side panel. At least one end flap comprises a first portion foldably connected to the one of the first side panel and the second side panel, a second portion foldably connected to the first portion, and a third portion foldably connected to the second portion. The carton has at least one reinforced corner that comprises a reinforced end panel and a reinforced portion of one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The reinforced end panel comprises the second portion and the third portion of the at least one end flap. The reinforced portion comprises the third portion of the at least one end flap and a portion of the one of the first side panel and the second side panel.

Abstract: A system is described relating to the feeding of raw materials into a machine that converts the raw materials into a packaging template. The system may use raw packaging materials and supply the raw materials to a converting mechanism using an infeed wheel. The infeed wheel may rotate and have a number of edges that engage the raw materials. Raw materials of one form used may include fanfold material that has existing fold or score lines that define opposing boundaries of the fanfold material, but which allow separate layers to remain connected. As the infeed wheel rotates, the edges engage the raw materials, and can engage the existing fold or score lines. Some edges may engage at locations between existing fold or score lines, and can crease the raw materials.

Abstract: A collapsible shipping container is capable of configured from a collapsed position for storage and transportation to a constructed position for containment of articles therein and back again to the collapsed position after use. The collapsible shipping container comprises a foldable tray having at least two pallet runner sleeves spaced apart from one another and each of which being formed on respective opposed lateral edges of the foldable tray. A plurality of elongated pallet runners each of which having an inner support structure integrally formed thereto. The plurality of elongated pallet runners each of which is adapted to be inserted into each of the respective plurality of pallet runner sleeves. A foldable side wall body is adapted to rest upon the foldable tray to form an interior space to receive a plurality of articles. The foldable side wall body comprises end walls, side walls, and side body flaps to form an enclosed bottom thereof.

Abstract: A container having a locking closure and a method of forming the locking closure. The container includes bottom, side and top walls and at least one of the walls being an opening wall formed of panels which provide an opening to an interior of the container and which overlap to provide the locking a closure of the opening wall. In a closed condition of the container, a bottommost panel of the opening wall is partially overlapped by adjacent panels of the opening wall and a topmost panel of the opening wall located opposite the bottommost panel partially overlaps the adjacent panels and the bottommost panel. A tab of the bottommost panel is lifted upwardly to partially overlap the topmost panel to form the locking closure.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a glyphosate formulation with enhanced viscosity, said formulation containing a thickening composition comprising at least one nitrogen-containing surfactant.

Abstract: A blank-folded box-shaped package includes a top, a bottom opposite the top, two opposite lateral walls (I) connecting the top and the bottom, two opposite ends walls (U) connecting the top and the bottom, and two opposite peripheral shock absorbing end zones (R). Each end zone (R) is defined by one of the opposite end walls and extensions of the top, bottom and two opposite lateral walls. Also, each end zone (R) defines an exposed cavity region with the end walls in a retracted position inwardly of the shock absorbing end zone (R) of doubled material. The package defines a package blank in an unfolded state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for forming a carton. The system may comprise a magazine for storing a plurality of carton blanks in a generally flat configuration. The system also has a mandrel and a panel rotation apparatus. The mandrel has a first surface oriented at a first orientation and a second surface oriented at a second orientation that may be generally orthogonal to the first orientation. The panel rotation apparatus is operable to engage a second panel of the carton blank and rotate the second panel to proximate to, and generally in the same orientation as, the second surface of the mandrel such that the second panel is oriented in a second orientation generally orthogonal to the first panel.

Abstract: A method and device for the production of packages for use in the production of cigarette packs (10) of the hinge-lid-box type, in which, usually in a final production step, folding flaps, namely side flaps for forming side walls of the pack, are provided with glue and then outer side flaps are folded. The gluing is done using cold glue, on the one hand, and hot glue, on the other hand. During certain operating phases, only one of the types of glue is transferred, and therefore, with different curing times of the types of glue, it is ensured that the pack is shaped precisely before the glue bonds are solid. It is also ensured that the residence time in a drying turret is sufficient in order to allow at least one of a number of types of glue to set.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for making a hard pack cigarette package composed of a transparent material that includes an inner frame that is also composed of a transparent material. The package is assembled using a hot-melt adhesive material to bind the package together as well as to bind the inner frame insert and a foil wrapped assemblage of smoking articles to the package. The hot-melt adhesive material is applied by an electronically controlled hot-melt adhesive applicator working in conjunction with a uniform contrast roller.

Abstract: In a machine for packaging articles into box-like containers, obtained from tubular blanks in flat folded configuration, tubular blanks are conveyed from a feeding station to an erecting station, by an erection unit, moving between the erecting station and a station for vertical introduction of articles into the erected blanks. A folding element cooperates with the unit to fold a second lower flap of the blank by ninety degrees. A horizontal plane supports the blank and articles contained in the blank. The blank is transferred and guided on the horizontal plane while blank flaps are folded. At closing stations a bottom and a cover of the so obtained pack are closed.

Abstract: feeding mechanism, an expanding mechanism, a folding mechanism for folding front and rear parts of a bottom of a cardboard box, a folding mechanism for folding left and right parts of a bottom of a cardboard box, and a conveying mechanism; the feeding mechanism has a holding space, in which flattened boxes are received; the expanding mechanism includes a horizontally moving member, an expanding arm pivoted to the horizontally moving member, and several suction elements; a cardboard box will be expanded when the horizontally moving member moves with the suction elements applying suction on the box to fix the box thereto, and with the expanding arm pivoting 90 degrees; after a cardboard box has been expanded, the folding mechanisms function one after the other to fold front and rear parts and left and right parts of a bottom of the box.

Abstract: Rotary transfer mechanism is mounted on a frame for removing a flat folded carton from a storage hopper to move the carton to a flight conveyor assembly and in cooperation therewith erect the carton to be in an open rectangular condition. The transfer mechanism includes end plates rotated in one angular direction and vacuum cup assemblies rotated therewith and relative thereto in the opposite angular direction. The cup assemblies include transversely opposite cups having adjacent sides less flexible than their remote sides and intermediate cups having buttons therein to form dimples in a carton panel when grippingly engaged. The flight assembly includes guideways to have lugs of flight devices extend into their channels as devices move along the upper run of an endless conveyor. The flight devices include flight bars extending vertically above the lugs as the lugs move in said channels.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system.

Abstract: A case is gripped by its side panel by suction cups mounted on a squaring arm and rotated out of a magazine into contact with a squaring rail, which forces the case into a squared configuration as the case rotates into position between two drive belts, one fixed, and one with a gate-like swinging section which is rotated open. The bottom minor flaps are then closed by minor flap folders as the swinging belt section rotates closed, gripping the case. The drive belts then convey the case out of the squaring area, over flap ploughs which close the bottom major flaps. The squaring arm, fixed drive belt, and rear minor flap folder are mounted to a carrier. The front minor flap folder and major flap ploughs are mounted to a second carrier. The adjustment mechanism of both carriers is coupled to the adjustment mechanism of the magazine height.

Abstract: The machine assembles cardboard boxes of the type that comprises a main piece or sheet and two independent sheets comprising the front ends, lateral sheets that attach to some laps that form part of the main piece. As a novel characteristic, it includes some side feeders where the independent lateral sheets are stacked and some devices for conveying such lateral sheets that place them on both sides of the male forming element or mandrel, in whose descent such lateral sheets are conveyed and also the main sheet to the folding mold located underneath where the box assembly will be finally formed. This folding mold also includes some improvements that facilitate the assembly of the box.

Abstract: A supply device for a machine working cardboard sheets. At least one conveying unit for the conveyance one by one of the sheets. A hold-down stop for preventing conveyance of a pile of the sheets above the conveying unit while permitting conveyance of the bottom sheet. A plurality of rising units at the conveying unit, the raising units being alternatively moveable by pivoting between an upraised position above the upper level of the conveying unit, and a lowered position at the highest aligned with that upper level. Each rising unit is connected to a programmable control unit in order to provide a single command respectively for each one of the rising units. An adjustable height wear surface shoe on each rising unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing folding box blanks from a folding box magazine and transferring them to between drivers of a conveyor system has a suction rotor with suction cups. The suction rotor is coupled to a four-bar mechanism, which erects the folding box blank along a stationary erecting shunt. By the engagement of the suction cups with a trailing side wall of the folding box blank, which wall stands vertically with reference to the feeding direction, and because of the disposition of the erecting shunt, a high output can be attained with the conveyor system driven incrementally, and folding box blanks can be processed whose front lower edge, in terms of the feeding direction, is located frontmost in the folding box magazine.

Abstract: A machine is provided for the creasing, perforation or circular cutting of a material in the form of sheets such as paper, plastic and the like. The machine includes a bed, a horizontal loading plane (11) that is intended to accommodate at least one stack of starting sheets, a feeding plane (13) as a continuation of the loading plane, an advancing suction roller (14) to pick up and transfer every single sheet from the bottom of the stack on the loading plane to the feeding plane, and a processing unit (15) that is intended to accommodate one sheet at a time for a creasing, perforation or cutting operation. A female grooving tool, each consisting of annular elements that are assembled together, is provided for the creasing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a supply hopper apparatus for 3-part (Bliss) box forming machines having a vertical or substantially vertical orientation that is capable of holding a large supply of end panels. The trays of the hopper are open at the top and bottom, and may be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of differently sized end panels. A shuttle mechanism is provided at the bottom of each tray for removing the lowermost end panel from the tray, and an adjustable gate is provided to prevent more than one panel from being removed from the tray at a time. An elevating mechanism is provided adjacent to each tray to bring the lowermost panel from a generally horizontal position to a vertical position alongside the mandrel of the container forming machine. The mandrel then picks up the elevated end panels from each side, and takes them into the machine where they are used to form the three-part Bliss container.

Abstract: An apparatus for erecting flat blanks into three-dimensional box parts has a machine frame, a bin on the frame holding a stack of the blanks with a lower surface of a lowermost blank largely exposed at a base of the stack, an erecting unit on the frame spaced downstream in a transport direction from the bin, and a conveyor on the frame. The conveyor has at least two spaced endless conveyor elements having upper stretches extending horizontally underneath the bin in the direction, respective suction boxes generally level with the upper stretches, and a drive for advancing the elements in the transport direction. An extractor on the frame underneath the bin includes a vertically displaceable vacuum-operated suction head engageable with the lower surface of the lowermost blank for pulling same out of the bin and setting it on the conveyor.

Abstract: A machine for forming a variety of different sturdy, stackable three-part fiberboard containers having a depth dimension greater than their width dimension, and which are suitable for holding bags filled with liquid. The machine includes a slidable, removable mandrel which cycles between a fiberboard hopper area and a container forming compression area. Each of two side bins provides a fiberboard end panel which comes into contact with independently slidable edge picks on the mandrel. Just before the mandrel cycles forward, the edge picks push the fiberboard end panels forward where they are bent by the action of two folding elements. Meanwhile, a fiberboard body matt is brought into position in front of the retracted mandrel from an overhead feed unit. Adhesive material is sprayed onto selected parts of the body matt as it is placed into position in front of the mandrel.

Abstract: A machine for forming a variety of different sturdy, stackable three-part fiberboard containers having a depth dimension greater than their width dimension, and which are suitable for holding bags filled with liquid. The machine includes a slidable, removable mandrel which cycles between a fiberboard hopper area and a container forming compression area. Each of two side bins provides a fiberboard end panel to the mandrel. Just before the mandrel cycles forward, the suction cups remove two fiberboard end panels, one from each side bin, and pull them next to the mandrel. As the mandrel moves forward, the end panels are bent by the action of two folding elements. Meanwhile, a fiberboard body matt is brought into position in front of the retracted mandrel from an overhead feed unit. Adhesive material is sprayed onto selected parts of the body matt as it is placed into position in front of the mandrel.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for partially setting up a blank (12) is disclosed including first suction cups (122) for removing the first blank (12) from a magazine (96). The first suction cups (122) are pivotally mounted to the ends of pivot arms (110) to move the first blank (12) up and over actuators (102) of the magazine (96) as the first blank (12) is moved forward out of the magazine (96). After the lower edge of the first blank (12) passes over the actuators (102), the lower portion of the blank (12) is supported in an intermediate position upon an abutment bar (106). While still secured to the first suction cups (122), second suction cups (78) are secured to the blank (12). The second suction cups (78) tilt the blank (12) to be parallel to and move with upstanding lugs (36) of a conveyor assembly (34). A forming die (38) pushes the blank (12) into the lugs (36) as the forming die (38), blank (12) and the lugs (36) move at a constant speed.

Abstract: A selection and setting apparatus in box or carton blank erecting machines which enables changing of the blank format in the machine. The apparatus includes format selectors coating with at least two setting wheels. The setting wheels each include at least two pins which are of different lengths enabling settings for different formats. The free ends of these pins contact coacting stops arranged on the erecting tool or carton blank magazine in the machine which are movably settable to the blank size in question.

Abstract: A blank feeder has a pair of guide rails for guiding blanks having a tubular form of square cross section to a bottom forming mandrel. The guide rails are formed with opposed recessed portions which are V-shaped in cross section for holding therebetween two corners of the blank on a diagonal thereof, and have shock absorbing means for mitigating the impact to be involved in the stiking contact of the blank with the guide rails.

Abstract: A magazine for holding a plurality of articles, such as cartons, which are to be singularly withdrawn at a downstream end, and a method of feeding articles. The magazine includes guides, spaced apart by a distance greater than the width of the cartons in their folded condition, thereby creating a gap between an inner guide surface and one of the edges of the cartons. A pair of stoppers oppositely project toward each other and are spaced apart by a distance less than the width of the cartons, to thereby hold the most downstream carton in a position to facilitate its withdrawal at the discharge end of the magazine. The stoppers are positioned to engage the particular edges of the cartons of which the distance between them is not apt to be variable, to thereby reduce the likelihood of the cartons becoming jammed within the magazine. At least one feed roller projects from one inner guide surface toward the other inner guide surface upstream of the discharge end.

Abstract: A magazine for holding a plurality of articles, such as cartons, which are to be singularly withdrawn at a downstream end, and a method of feeding articles. The magazine includes guides, spaced apart by a distance greater than the width of the cartons in their folded condition, thereby creating a gap between an inner guide surface and one of the edges of the cartons. A pair of stoppers project from the inner guide surfaces and are spaced apart by a distance less than the width of the cartons, to thereby hold the most downstream carton in a position to facilitate its withdrawal at the discharge end of the magazine. A feed roller projects from one inner guide surface toward the other inner guide surface upstream of the discharge end. At least one carton is engaged between the roller and the other inner guide surface to isolate a predetermined number of folded cartons downstream of the feed roller from a second predetermined quantity of folded cartons upstream of the feed roller.

Abstract: A dispenser device for removing planar panels from a hopper is provided with a panel engagement drum located at the discharge of the hopper which includes friction surfaces at spaced apart locations around the perimeter for sequentially engaging subsequent bottom-most panels in the hopper and extracting them from the hopper as the drum continuously rotates. A positioner is engagable with disengagable from the bottom-most panel at the hopper discharge end to position the bottom-most spacer at a location to be engaged by the friction surfaces of the drum. A stop is operatively responsive with the positioner for engagement with the penultimate one of the panels for preventing the penultimate one of the panels from moving to the location of the positioner during the time period the positioner is in its panel disengaged position.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with blanks folded to a flat form for unfolding each blank into a tube of rectangular to square cross section and feeding the tubular blank to one of container bottom forming mandrels which is at rest at a feed station. The apparatus comprises a magazine for accommodating a multiplicity of such blanks as arranged side by side, transport arms for delivering the blanks one by one from a delivery opening of the magazine and transporting each blank to a position on an extension of the axis of the mandrel, an unfolding arm for unfolding the blank from the flat form to the tubular form during transport by forming a fold in the opposed flat portions of the blank, a holder for holding the tubular blank on the extension of axis in alignment therewith movably along the extension, and a transfer assembly for transferring the blank from the holder to the mandrel. The forward end of the unfolding arm is movable into and out of the path of transport of the blank.

Abstract: The automatic machine comprises a magazine, dispensing die-cuts pre-creased longitudinally with fold lines providing divisions between at least four side panels and a securing flap, suckers by which the die-cuts are picked up from the magazine, and a revolver with radial grippers. In addition, use is made of a conveyor by which the die-cut is transferred forcibly from the suckers to the revolver and bent into U-shape at the same time, and the jaws of each gripper incorporate suction passages emerging along the edges parallel to and farthest from the axis of rotation of the revolver, which firmly withstand the action of first and second folders used to press down the securing flap and the end panel; thus, the die-cut is positively handled and conveyed during its entire passage through the machine.