Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a case former configured to receive a case in a blank configuration, open the case into a tubular configuration, fold the lower minor flaps to manipulate the case into a partially closed-bottom configuration, square the case while in the partially closed-bottom configuration, and fold and tape the lower major flaps shut to manipulate the case into a closed-bottom configuration. The squaring step ensures that the case has a rectangular cross-section after taping rather than a rhomboid cross-section.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming containers from container blanks are provided. An apparatus comprises a blank holding apparatus operable to releasably hold a plurality of carton blanks in a first configuration. The apparatus also has a rotary apparatus operable to rotate an engagement device along a rotational path from a first retrieval location where the engagement device is operable to engage with and retrieve a blank from the plurality of blanks held in the blank holding apparatus, to a second operational location. The apparatus also has a movement apparatus inter-connected to the rotary apparatus. The movement apparatus is operable to move the rotary apparatus and the engagement device with the engaged blank away from the blank holding apparatus, which may be translational movement away from the blank holding apparatus.

Abstract: It is generally a goal to reduce the height dimension of a case-making device. A case-making device 90 comprises a box-sheet-holding part 10 and an extraction part 20. The box-sheet-holding part 10 holds a plurality of box sheets S to be processed into container boxes B such that the box sheets S extend in an upright direction UR. The extraction part 20 extracts one box sheet S from the box-sheet-holding part 10. An upright-direction UR dimension of the box sheet S is a first dimension H1. The extraction part 20 moves the box sheet S in the upright direction UR by a second dimension H2 shorter than the first dimension H1.

Abstract: An operating group for a cartoning machine is arranged to move a blank that is intended to form a carton adapted to contain one or more products, and includes a magazine suitable for housing a plurality of blanks folded in a planar manner; gripping arrangement that is configured for retaining the blank and is movable at least between a removing position in which the gripping arrangement removes the blank arranged in the magazine in a planar configuration, which is horizontal, and a delivery position in which the gripping arrangement delivers the blank arranged in a tridimensional unfolded configuration, which is vertical with respect to the planar configuration; in which the gripping arrangement is rotated around a rotation axis such as to travel along a closed loop path; the removing position from the magazine being arranged above the closed loop transfer path travelled by the gripping arrangement, such that the gripping arrangement can remove directly from the magazine said blank in the horizontal folded pl

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming containers from container blanks are provided. An apparatus comprises a blank holding apparatus operable to releasably hold a plurality of carton blanks in a first configuration. The apparatus also has a rotary apparatus operable to rotate an engagement device along a rotational path from a first retrieval location where the engagement device is operable to engage with and retrieve a blank from the plurality of blanks held in the blank holding apparatus, to a second operational location. The apparatus also has a movement apparatus inter-connected to the rotary apparatus. The movement apparatus is operable to move the rotary apparatus and the engagement device with the engaged blank away from the blank holding apparatus, which may be translational movement away from the blank holding apparatus.

Abstract: A device and method for automatically stacking packages on a roll container in a predetermined spatial arrangement for forming a stack, comprising at least one feed conveyor which arranges the individual packages in a predetermined order; a lifting and lowering unit for lifting and lowering of the roll container in the Y-direction; at least one sliding plate and one pusher in order to transport the packages in the Z-direction to the predetermined position in the stack; moveable journals being provided in order to separate the lateral walls of the roll container. In a particular embodiment the journals are arranged on rotating disks.

Abstract: A carton conveyer for a packaging machine has upper and lower flights to which sets of flight lugs are attached. Each set of flight lugs comprises leading flight lugs and trailing flight lugs and the leading flight lugs have recesses that face and oppose recesses on the trailing flight lugs. The recesses are formed to confine an open carton therebetween. Notches are formed in the flight lugs in such a way that movement of the leading and trailing flight lugs toward one another causes an un-erected carton between the lugs to be captured and erected.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a tray from a blank of sheet material is provided. The apparatus includes a platen configured to move along a path between a first position and a second position to drive the blank downstream from the first position and a first folding arm configured to fold an outside corner support member of the blank to form the blank into a partially formed tray including at least a portion of the outside corner support member being substantially parallel to the bottom panel. The apparatus further includes a fixed plate and a movable plate spaced from and movable with respect to the fixed plate. The fixed plate and the movable plate define a passage therebetween. The fixed plate guides the outside corner support member through the passage to a position adjacent a side panel and/or an end panel.

Abstract: A machine for erecting a polygonal container from a knocked-down flat (KDF) container formed from a blank of sheet material is provided. The container includes four main side panels, at least one corner panel extending between two of the main side panels, and at least one bottom flap extending from one of the main side panels. The machine includes a body, a first erecting mechanism coupled to the body, and a second erecting mechanism coupled to the body. The first erecting mechanism receives the KDF container and erects the KDF container into a partially erected container having a substantially rectangular configuration, and the second erecting mechanism receives the partially erected container and erects the partially erected container from the substantially rectangular configuration into the polygonal container by applying a force to an exterior surface of the partially erected container to erect the polygonal container that has more than four sides.

Abstract: The device for erecting flat-folded tubular blanks supplied in flat-folded form comprises a collecting group provided with first gripping means which are mobile between a pick-up station of the single tubular blanks from a store and an opening station of the single tubular blanks. An opening group is arranged in the opening station and provided with second gripping means for gripping the single flat-folded tubular blanks at a second surface thereof, opposite the first surface engaged by the first gripping means. The second gripping means are mobile between a gripping position of the single tubular blanks and a distanced opening position thereof. A folding organ is destined to progressively engage a free side of the single tubular blanks during the course of opening, for completing the erecting of the tubular blanks.

Abstract: An apparatus automatically forms a paperboard blank into a container having a double glued side wall construction for providing an enhanced strength to the container. A platen drives the blank through mechanically powered forming rails for an initial folding of the blank into a partially formed container having a bottom, end and side walls, and inside corner supports. A compression plate and folding arms are biased against adhesive portions of the partially formed container for forming a fully formed container having a double glued side wall construction.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus or system for automatically assembling or erecting tote containers, and a corresponding method or process for practicing or implementing the assembly or erection of the tote containers, is disclosed wherein tote container workpieces are disposed in a serial array within a magazine or hopper.

Abstract: Containers (2) for food products are manufactured employing a system that includes a feed station (4) supplying a succession of tubular elements (2a), and a heat sealer (10) positioned to close and secure a first open end (2b) of each tubular element (2a) that coincides with the base of the container. The sealing operation occurs at a station associated with a conveyor (3) consisting in a wheel (11) rotatable in a feed direction (B) along a path (P) passing both through the feed station (4) and through the station occupied by the heat sealer (10). The tubular elements (2a) are carried by radial elements (13) of the wheel (11) such as can be indexed between a first operating position, where the tubular elements (2a) are taken up from the feed station (4), and a second operating position in which the open end (2b) is offered to the heat sealer (10).

Abstract: A machine and method for applying reinforcing strapping to bulk boxes. The machine includes a plurality of strapping head assemblies arranged in series, with each adapted to apply a strap in encircling relationship to a box at a predetermined location on the box. As the box advances through successive strapping head assemblies, straps are applied in predetermined spaced relationship on the box, until the desired number of straps have been applied. The number, spacing and tension of the straps may be quickly and easily adjusted. In an embodiment of the invention, the strapping head assemblies are arranged in pairs in individual modules. A recovery strapping head assembly is provided just prior to exit from the machine to apply any strapping missed by a preceding strapping head assembly.

Abstract: A collapsed carton for subsequent setup to receive articles includes top and bottom panels and a pair of side panels. End closure flaps extend from opposite side edges of each of the side panels to close the tubular carton when set up. A divider panel is disposed within the tubular structure between the top and bottom panels. A pair of glue flaps are foldably connected to the divider panel side edges, each of the glue flaps being secured to an inner surface of one of the side panels to retain the divider panel within the tubular structure. At least one divider end flap is foldably connected to one of the divider panel end edges. A first aperture is defined through one divider end flap. A second aperture is defined through one of the end closure flaps at one of the tubular ends of the carton to coincide with the first aperture when the carton is collapsed.

Abstract: Unitary blank includes a shroud blank and a tray blank connected by webs therebetween. The unitary blank is folded along a first line of demarcation so that the web overlaps the shroud blank, then along a parallel second line of demarcation so that the tray overlaps the web and the shroud. End portions are then folded toward a center line running perpendicular to the lines of demarcation to form a unitary preform for a two part shipping and display container. According to one embodiment the tray blank is provided with handles and the unitary blank is folded so that the tray blank is outside the shroud blank.

Abstract: A blank for forming a paperboard carton or breadtray having a bottom and four double ply walls with reinforced corners erected without stitches. Each corner has a double fold wrap around flap which is inserted through a slot in the adjoining wall and is captured between the plys. A reinforcing section folds down over the side section forming the two plys which are held together by a cutout which is inserted through a handle hole and locked by a tab inserted into the bottom section.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for erecting tubular carton blanks from a flattened to an open tubular state and includes two blank erection stations positioned sequentially along a conveyor for conveying a succession of blanks to the stations. In each station a suction head is attached to a blank and moves the blank through a cycle from a blank collection position, through a blank lifting phase, then through a blank erecting phase in which the blank is pressed against an abutment member into force the blank to an erected condition. When the suction head reaches a blank releasing position, suction head is returned. The suction heads are carried by a link arm driven in a parallel movement by cams via pivot arms.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for erecting flat carton blanks into a tubular configuration, folding the minor flaps inwardly normal to the minor sides in three steps at a first work station, moving the erected carton blank to a second work station while partially folding the major flaps toward the folded minor flaps and applying glue to the minor flaps, further moving the carton blank to a third work station where the major flaps are pressure sealed to minor flaps and then discharging the finished carton from the work area. A machine for performing the method includes unique motor driven chain drive assemblies that enable adjustments to accommodate various size carton and a cam regulated valve system to control application of vacuum to suction cups and compressed air to a glue gun and to pneumatic pistons that move control arms and the like.

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: A machine or machine section for squaring folded container blanks has a conveyor for conveying slotted and partially folded container blanks. A folding device completes folding of each container blank while being conveyed by the conveyor. A gauge plate is inserted in a slot in each of the slotted and partially folded container blanks. A mechanism moves the gauge plate in timed sequence with the conveyor, inserts the gauge plate in the slot before completion of folding of the respective blank in order to "square" the folded blank, and then withdraws the gauge plate from the slot. Overlapping flaps of each folded blank may be tacked together during "squaring" by drops of hot melt adhesive which subsequently hold the flat folded blanks square while the conventional slow drying water soluble glue dries. The "squaring" arrangement may be incorporated in a conventional gluer/folder machine.

Abstract: In a folder gluer collapsable box making machine, a self-driven endless chain is mounted on sprockets on a small frame and is equipped with push plates and lifters such that when pre-cut box board moves along the conveyor of a box-making machine, the front of the pre-cut box board hits a pusher and moves the chain in a forward direction while the folder lifter arms abuts the rear portion of the box board and folds over the rear ends and/or flaps.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing defective knocked down carton blanks, from a carton erecting machine. In one embodiment opposed sets of tractors for clamping the selected unit and driving it from the conveyor line with moving tractive belts. A sensing device detects carton blanks to be ejected by determining if they can be erected by the machine. Non-conforming blanks are returned to an unerected condition and a control device activated by the sensing device controls activation of the ejecting mechanism to quickly and automatically eject the defective carton blank.

Abstract: In a folding device for flexible sheet material, a plurality of longitudinally in-line sheet contactor members (1a-23a), called contactors, are provided, each of which are controllably pivotally movable about a pivot axis (113) so as to collectively pivot a sheet (102) about its score line (110). The contactors are controlled so that they have a successive undulating wave action and are formed in sets including a sheet infeed set (121) and a sheet discharge set (123), with an intermediate set (122) disposed therebetween. All of the contactors in the various sets are arranged to have a fixed "at rest" position from which they move. Under the influence of a control device (1b-23b), the contactors individually and pivotally move through varying angles from their respective at rest positions to contact and fold the sheet. The incremental angular displacement of each contactor is such that the leading edge of a sheet progressing from one contactor station to the next downstream station will not be distorted.

Abstract: A device supported on a tubular frame and having a vertical cheek supporting pulleys including drive pulley and tension pulley, a belt having a circular cross section running over these pulleys and cooperating with a lower conveyor to fold parts of a composite flap of a box blank as the blank passes therebeneath. Depending on the construction of the box blank, several cheeks with associated pulleys and belts can be positioned above the conveyor conveying the blanks therethrough. Preferably, the belt has a circular cross section and moves at a linear speed approximately the same as the conveyor of the device.

Abstract: A vari-gap drive system for controlling the speed of the drive system used in the fabrication of corrugated boxes which varies the drive rate for a folder vis-a-vis that of the printer/slotter to which it is attached to vary the box blank gap through the folder and thus permit a throughout two to three times faster than that attainable when the drive for the two units are driven at the same speed. The reliability and speed of the subject Vari-Gap Drive System is in part derived from a unique cage roll assembly.

Abstract: An anti-toggling, constant-contact cage roll assembly is provided for movement of corrugated box blanks along a belt. In one embodiment, the cage roll assembly includes a series of four rollers that are mounted to a bar spring-biased away from a frame, in which the bar is pivotally mounted at each end to an associated lever arm, each of which is in turn pivotally mounted to the frame to form a modified four-bar linkage, with a compliant mount for one lever arm, the mount for the other lever arm being fixed to the frame to permit limited canting of the roller-carrying bar to accommodate multiple folded layers of corrugated material. The subject cage roll assembly prevents the prior art type of toggling of pairs of rollers into an almost vertical position as the box blank moves between the rollers and the belt and thus prevents jamming. In one embodiment, each of the lever arms carries an adjustable stop at the free end for positioning the bar above the belt which carries the box blank.

Abstract: A right angle folder gluer of the type having a pair of pressure nip rolls at the end of the first folding section and mechanism for transferring each individual and successive blank delivered from the nip into the transfer zone at right angles into the second folding zone, in a direction parallel to the axis of the nip has apparatus for preventing inadvertent re-entry of the blank into the nip during transfer in the form of sharp pointers riding on the upper surface of the blank in rear of the nip to slightly embed therein and unyieldably prevent re-entry while yieldably enabling movement of the blank in the transfer zone in the direction of the second folding section.

Abstract: A case set-up and bottom sealing machine, including a programmable controller that controls: (a) the movement of cases from a hopper to a case set-up station and, then, to a mandrel station; (b) the erecting of cases at the case set-up station; (c) the tucking or folding of the bottom minor and major flaps of erected cases at the case set-up station; (d) the application of glue to the bottom flaps during movement from the case set-up station to the mandrel station; and (e) the application of pressure to the bottom flaps to adhere the flaps together at the mandrel station, is disclosed. If the case includes Tab-Lok top flaps, the case set-up and bottom sealing machine can be programmed to fold the Tab-Lok flaps into a position such that the Tab-Lok flaps overlap the sides of the case when the case is erected.

Abstract: In folding boxes forming a conveyor chain, rectangular, tubular carton blanks are introduced stepwise into two juxtaposed mirror-image designed folding stations. In the folding stations, the carton blanks are defomed by means of fingers and clamps so that their base surface is pulled into a parallelogram. The two edges forming the longer diagonal are pressed by means of stamping dies and by means of a counterholder and a stamping plate, respectively. After pressing, the carton blanks are pulled back into the folding boxes and are returned to their rectangular shape.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for erecting a polygonal carton from a collapsed envelope (blank) are disclosed. The carton is preferably a two-ply hexagonal carton having a bottom that forms automatically as the oppositely disposed sidewall-forming panels of the envelope are separated. An improved envelope for use with the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for erecting a rectangular carton from a flat blank. The apparatus features:a pair of parallel guide rails, one of which is elevated above the other;a hopper, located at one end of the guide rails, for holding a stack of blanks between the guide rails, so that the bottom blank of the stack is on the guide rails and is upwardly inclined in the cross-direction of the guide rails with the foldably connected edges of its side panels extending in a direction parallel to the guide rails; anda pair of suction cups that are located adjacent the other end of the guide rails and that can fold an upwardly inclined blank on the guide rails; the suctions cups being adapted to hold by suction two adjacent side panels of the blank, that are contiguous to the lower guide rail and on vertically opposite sides of the blank, and to rotate in opposite directions about the lower guide rail until the suction cups are 90.degree. apart, so that the two adjacent side panels are folded 90.degree.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for erecting folded cartons comprising a first and a second carton track established in a substantially L-shaped configuration. A carton magazine is mounted at one end of the first track whereas a carton erector is secured relative to the junction of the first and second tracks. A flap folder is mounted along the second track for folding the flaps of the carton with a carton sealer being located at the terminal end of the second carton track. A first drive provides reciprocal movement along the first carton track for serially moving the cartons from the carton magazine to the carton erector. A second drive moves the carton along the second track from the carton erector to the carton sealer. The first drive may comprise an air cylinder controlled in accordance with the movement of the second drive. The second drive may comprise a reciprocal mechanical linkage for driving the cartons along the second track.