The innovation disclosed herein is an improved palletiser for loading and packaging unstable articles, such as plastic, glass, steel, aluminium, etc. containers onto a pallet for bulk storage and/or transport. The innovation includes a pallet station having a pallet housing that receives pallets, a layer pad store substantially aligned with the pallet housing, a container lifting sub-assembly that receives a predetermined row of containers, a pusher assembly that urges the predetermined row of containers onto a pallet, and a layer pad transfer assembly.

Provided is a container including a container body and an image on the container body. The image includes a plurality of dented portions and non-dented portions. A visibility value of the image represented by Mathematical formula (1) below is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

Visibility value=b.sub.0.Math.L*.sub.0.Math.(1−exp(b.sub.1.Math.ΔL*))  Mathematical formula (1)

In Mathematical formula (1), L*.sub.0 represents a luminosity of the image. ΔL* represents a difference between the luminosity of the image and a luminosity of any other portion than the image, b.sub.0 represents a positive real number, and b.sub.1 represents a negative real number.

Provided is a container including a container body and an image on the container body. The image includes a plurality of dented portions and non-dented portions. A visibility value of the image represented by Mathematical formula (1) below is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

Visibility value=b.sub.0.Math.L*.sub.0.Math.(1−exp(b.sub.1.Math.ΔL*))  Mathematical formula (1)

In Mathematical formula (1), L*.sub.0 represents a luminosity of the image. ΔL* represents a difference between the luminosity of the image and a luminosity of any other portion than the image, b.sub.0 represents a positive real number, and b.sub.1 represents a negative real number.

A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT). The robotic arm is operable so as to selectively position the EOAT within the processing station, the EOAT positionable for urged engagement of a dispensed retainer blank received upon the die block so as to form and secure an adapted retainer blank, the robotic arm thereafter positionable to register the secured adapted retainer blank with a conveyed ACG conveyed on the segment of the container conveyance apparatus of the processing station, the robotic arm further positionable to apply the secured adapted retainer blank to the registered conveyed ACG to thereby form at least two retained container group packs from the registered conveyed ACG.

An apparatus for producing a multipack includes forming groups on opposite sides of a transport section. The first forming group comprises a sliding carriage that moves along and transverse to a transport direction, a format part that forms a contact surface for engaging a container, and a guiding-and-holding element that detachably secures the format part to the sliding carriage. The first and second forming groups are movable along the transport direction and transverse to the transport direction such that contact surfaces of the first and second forming groups that are opposite each other are brought into contact with containers to move the containers along the transport direction and to press the containers against each other by moving transverse to the transport direction.

Beverage container packing assemblies and methods are disclosed. A beverage container packing assembly includes a bottom tray, center support, and a top tray. The bottom tray defines first compartments. The first compartments may be configured to receive a first portion of a beverage container. The bottom tray includes one or more first support columns. The center support defines through holes. Each of the through holes is configured to receive a second portion of a beverage container therethrough. The center support is configured to accommodate a thermo pack. The top tray defines second compartments. Each of the second compartments is configured to receive a third portion of a beverage container. The top tray is configured to accommodate the thermo pack between a first row and a second row of the second compartments.

Beverage container packing assemblies and methods are disclosed. A beverage container packing assembly includes a bottom tray, center support, and a top tray. The bottom tray defines first compartments. The first compartments may be configured to receive a first portion of a beverage container. The bottom tray includes one or more first support columns. The center support defines through holes. Each of the through holes is configured to receive a second portion of a beverage container therethrough. The center support is configured to accommodate a thermo pack. The top tray defines second compartments. Each of the second compartments is configured to receive a third portion of a beverage container. The top tray is configured to accommodate the thermo pack between a first row and a second row of the second compartments.

An apparatus for at least partially folding outer packaging includes a conveyor that transports the outer packaging, a first folder, a second folder, and a set of one or more rotating folders that are part of the second folder. The first folders swivel on the conveyor and fold a front side segment of the outer package that adjoins its base segment and connecting segments that are hinged relative to the base segment. The second folders are above the conveyor device and are configured to fold connecting segments that are hinged relative to the base segment of the outer package. The second folders act on the front side segment of the outer package in a direction oriented against an effective direction of the first folding device around a fold line running in the particular connecting segments.

An apparatus for at least partially folding outer packaging includes a conveyor that transports the outer packaging, a first folder, a second folder, and a set of one or more rotating folders that are part of the second folder. The first folders swivel on the conveyor and fold a front side segment of the outer package that adjoins its base segment and connecting segments that are hinged relative to the base segment. The second folders are above the conveyor device and are configured to fold connecting segments that are hinged relative to the base segment of the outer package. The second folders act on the front side segment of the outer package in a direction oriented against an effective direction of the first folding device around a fold line running in the particular connecting segments.

An automated decant system is disclosed for processing pallets of cased goods received at a facility, extracting packaging for the cases and transferring eaches within the cases to totes, possibly organized by SKU in sub-totes within the tote.