A device for automated packaging of articles, comprising a conveyor for feeding and transporting into the device a blank of corrugated cardboard, a pair of crease wheels for creating two longitudinal crease lines in the blank, a transversal blade or score applicator for successively creating four transversal crease lines in the blank as the blank is transported into the device, and opposite pressing members such as jaws of a press and/or pressing rollers, arranged symmetrically with respect to a center line of the device, whose lateral position is adjustable for their ends or tips to match the two longitudinal crease lines, and activated in a timely manner as the blank is transported into the device to crush the corrugated cardboard in the top, middle and bottom corners of the blank in order to make it easily foldable.

Systems for providing efficient manufacturing of sheet or box structures, corrugate sheets, or other products of varying size and structure often with pre-applied print (“pre-print”) are provided herein. The systems include various features and modules that enable automated control of the corrugator, including the knives, slitters, scorers and cut-to-mark detection system(s), are contemplated. Colored markings may be used to indicate an order change section between two order sections of a roll plan for the manufacturing process. The colored markings are detected as the corrugator runs and, once detected, a controller determines a next set of order instructions—e.g., to match the upcoming order. Thus, an order change may occur, thereby enabling automated control of the corrugator based on the new order instructions. Computer readable markings may enable checking of the actual position in the roll plan to an intended position, enabling stopping or changing of the corrugator operation if needed.

A container includes a first portion, a second portion, and a locking panel. The first and second portion are pivotably coupled together. The first portion includes first sidewalls and the second portion includes second sidewalls. The first sidewalls of the first portion and the second sidewalls of the second portion abut when the container is in a closed configuration. The first and second sidewalls include interlocking tabs and slots that mate with each other when the container is in the closed configuration. The locking panel extends from the first portion and engages the second portion when the container is in the closed configuration, and the locking panel is configured to retain the container in the closed configuration.

An improved mailer folding apparatus that forms mailers from mailer blanks. The mailer folding apparatus comprises a transport assembly and one or more folding assemblies. The transport assembly moves mailer blanks and/or mailers through the mailer folding apparatus. The one or more folding assemblies may each comprise a folding system and a carriage system. The folding system may selectively allow for the folding of a mailer blank into a mailer. A carriage of the carriage system may move the folding system longitudinally between different positions relative to the transport assembly. An engagement system separate from the carriage system or integrated into the carriage system may engage and disengage the folding system with the transport system for selectively feeding a mailer blank through the folding system, or disengage the folding system for allowing a mailer blank or folded mailer to bypass the folding system.

A method for forming a container using a machine includes extracting a blank from a magazine, transferring the blank in a blank transfer direction X, and positioning the blank on a deck. The method also includes translating a pick-up assembly from a first end to a second end along a horizontal direction Y perpendicular to the blank transfer direction X, the translating including transferring a web from a first location proximate the first end to a second location proximate the second end. The method further includes depositing, at the second location, the web into an at least partially overlying relationship with the blank to form a blank assembly, transferring the blank assembly along the deck in the blank transfer direction X while translating the pick-up assembly from the second end back to the first end, and wrapping the blank assembly around a mandrel to at least partially form the container.

A method for forming a container using a machine includes extracting a blank from a magazine, transferring the blank in a blank transfer direction X, and positioning the blank on a deck. The method also includes translating a pick-up assembly from a first end to a second end along a horizontal direction Y perpendicular to the blank transfer direction X, the translating including transferring a web from a first location proximate the first end to a second location proximate the second end. The method further includes depositing, at the second location, the web into an at least partially overlying relationship with the blank to form a blank assembly, transferring the blank assembly along the deck in the blank transfer direction X while translating the pick-up assembly from the second end back to the first end, and wrapping the blank assembly around a mandrel to at least partially form the container.

The present invention relates to the forming of a container by folding a cardboard sheet with at least vertical flaps, using a forming device and a forming method. Such a device comprises an upstream conveyor driving said cardboard sheet in a direction of travel, a downstream conveyor, means for folding the vertical flaps, said folding means being situated symmetrically about said upstream conveyor, and is characterized in that, on each side, said folding means comprise a pair of downstream and upstream pushers forming a gripper, said pushers being actuated jointly from an open position toward a closed position of folding said corresponding vertical flaps, a support for each gripper, said support being mobile in said direction of travel.

A slitter device includes an upper rotary shaft and a lower rotary shaft that are supported so as to be able to rotate. An upper slitter head that is supported by the upper rotary shaft so as to be able to rotate therewith. A lower slitter head that is supported by the lower rotary shaft so as to be able to rotate therewith and that is disposed on one side of the upper slitter head in the axial direction of the lower rotary shaft. An upper movement device that can move the upper slitter head in the axial direction of the upper rotary shaft. A lower movement device can move the lower slitter head in the axial direction of the lower rotary shaft. A control device that controls movement of the upper movement device and the lower movement device.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels, the plurality of panels includes at least one central panel and at least one attachment panel for receiving a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers. The at least one central panel is for being positioned between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers, and the at least one attachment panel is foldably connected to the at least one central panel. At least one divider flap is foldably connected to the at least one central panel. The at least one attachment panel is positionable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the at least one attachment panel overlies and receives a portion of one or more of the containers. In the second position the at least one attachment panel is folded relative to the at least one central panel and in an upright position to form a handle for carrying the carrier.

This invention relates to a container pre-cutting system, applicable to multilayer and/or single-layer (3) container forming machines (4) that provide intermittent advances to the multi-layer and/or single-layer material with a length according to an advance step of the machine; said system being suitable for making a lower pre-cut (32) on the lower surface and an upper pre-cut (32) on the upper surface of the multilayer and/or single-layer material (3). The system comprises a lower pre-cutting device (1) and an upper pre-cutting device (2), provided with respective lower (11) and upper (21) blades having relative vertical movement with respect to the multilayer and/or single-layer material (3); and wherein the lower pre-cutting device (1) and the upper pre-cutting device (2) are separated in the advance direction of the multilayer and/or single-layer material (3) at a length approximately equal to a multiple of the advance step of the machine.