Abstract: An automatic case erector and sealer apparatus useful in the erecting of packaging cases, boxes and cartons from flats, utilizing case puncturing and gripping pins, spraying adhesive onto the interior surfaces of the case flaps, while the flaps are in a semi-open position, and sealing the minor and major flaps of the erected flats with compression to thereby secure the major and minor flaps for subsequent filling of the formed case, box or carton with consumer goods.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying preselected numbers of superimposed prefabricated cardboard blanks of the type having alternating larger and smaller marginal flaps from an auxiliary magazine into the main magazine of a packing machine has a frame which carries the auxiliary magazine above the main magazine and is provided with several lugs which support the larger flaps of the lowermost blank in the auxiliary magazine. A photoelectronic detector monitors the height of the supply of blanks in the main magazine and transmits a signal when the height of the supply drops below a preselected value. This initiates pivotal movement of a pusher which is adjacent to one side of the pile of blanks in the auxiliary magazine whereby the pusher shifts a number of lowermost blanks relative to the lugs so that the lugs register with and can be bypassed by the shorter flaps of the thus released blanks which descend into the main magazine by gravity.

Abstract: A case opening and sealing apparatus comprises a magazine having a plurality of flattened case blanks stacked therein, a conveyor underlying the magazine, and a plurality of suction cups for opening each case into tubular form for subsequent filling. Each forward case blank in the magazine is precisely ejected into proximity with the suction cups for opening purposes by a shuttle mechanism which functions to sequentially (1) engage a lower edge of the case blank to initially prevent removal thereof from the magazine, (2) move the case blank upwardly to release the lower edge thereof from the magazine, and (3) push the case blank downwardly onto the conveyor and into close proximity with the suction cups which function to open the case into tubular form.

Abstract: Gate has two carton restrainers. First restrainer holds the lead carton in magazine stack while the second is inoperative. For take-down of the lead carton, first restrainer is moved away while at the same time the second restrainer engages and holds the carton next to the lead carton to prevent the same (and the cartons behind it) from popping out of the gate.