Systems, methods, and apparatus for converting a sheet material into packaging templates can include a converting machine that performs conversion functions, such as cutting, creasing, and scoring, on the sheet material. Items to be packed into boxes formed of the packaging templates can be used as the pattern for determining the location of performance of the conversion functions on the sheet material. Accordingly, no intermediate measuring of the items may be required prior to performance of the conversion functions. Instead, longheads can be positioned adjacent to opposing sides of the items and cross heads can be advanced inward to the positioned longheads.

A tool-holder column for a unit for converting a flat substrate that has two upper bearings (14, 16) each for supporting one end of an upper rotary tool (10), and two lower bearings (15, 17) each for supporting one end of a lower rotary tool (11), the flat substrate being movable longitudinally between the upper rotary tool (10) and the lower rotary tool (11), the bearings (14, 15, 16, 17) being vertically movable in opposite directions on either side of the longitudinal direction (L) of movement of the flat substrate, and a common drive for the bearings (14, 15, 16, 17) allowing the bearings (14, 15, 16, 17) to be moved simultaneously by one and the same distance in opposite directions, and including a screw device (25), the bearings (14, 15, 16, 17) being mounted one above another on the screw device (25) such that the rotation of the screw device (25) causes the linear movement of the bearings (14, 15, 16, 17) in opposite directions.

A method for converting a flat substrate (W) in a station (3) for converting a flat substrate (W) that includes a rotary cutting unit (9) and at least one rotary deformation unit (7, 8) positioned upstream of the rotary cutting unit (9) in the direction of movement (L) of the flat substrate (W), the method including: determining the conversion parameters of the flat substrate (W), such as the deformation layout and cutting layout; choosing a sleeve (13) carrying a form for carrying out the deformation depending on the deformation layout; mounting the sleeve (13) on a mandrel (12) in the rotary deformation unit (7, 8); choosing the cutting tools (91, 92) depending on the cutting layout; mounting the cutting tools (91, 92) in the rotary cutting unit (9); and starting the conversion of the flat substrate (W).

A device (10) for optically controlling a face (13) of a blank (12) has a vacuum conveyor (20) capable of transporting the blank (12) along a path of travel (15) and which includes a conveyor belt (22) having an apertured structure of which the conveying path follows the path of travel (15) of the blank (12). A suction device (40) is suitable for pressing the blank (12) against the conveyor belt (14). An inspection device (30) inspects the face (13) of the blank (12) during its conveyance by the vacuum conveyor (20). The inspection device is located on the side opposite the vacuum conveyor (20). The suction device (40) delimits three separate successive suction sections (41, 42, 43) along the path of travel (15), including a central suction section (42) that extends opposite the inspection device (30), an upstream suction section (41) and a downstream suction section (43).

A machine for forming packing templates includes a infeed system that can feed multiple feeds of sheet material into the machine without repositioning the infeed system or forming creases or bends in the sheet material. The machine also includes a separation and cutting systems with one or more cutting tables and biased knives that cut the sheet material packaging templates. The machine also includes creasing roller(s) that forms creases in the sheet material. The machine also includes a system for reducing or eliminating the impact of irregularities in the sheet material.

A method for monitoring equipment and gathering consumption and diagnostic information can comprise receiving, at a server, a corrugate usage indicator. The corrugate usage indicator can comprise information relating to an amount of corrugate used by a first packaging system. The method can also comprise creating a usage profile for the first packaging system. The usage profile can comprise a corrugate usage profile. The corrugate usage profile can comprise an association between the amount of corrugate used by the first packaging system and the specifications and number of boxes created. Additionally, the method can comprise automatically generating, based upon the corrugate usage profile, a predicted time when a stock of corrugate associated with the first packaging system will be depleted.

A cutting and/or creasing rule is produced on a 3D printing machine which may be mounted on a board for use is a die for cutting and/or creasing a sheet of paperboard or other material into a blank for a carton. With the advent of additive manufacturing, i.e. 3D printing, it is now possible to eliminate traditional slotted die boards with generally rectangular steel cutting and creasing rules and replace same with surface printed boards with three-dimensional creasing and cutting rules.

The present invention relates to a composite container comprising a bottom film layer and a top film layer at least partially adhered to the bottom film layer. The top film layer is scored to form at least one resealable flap and at least one pull tab which is not adhered to the bottom film layer. The bottom film layer comprises at least one cavity opening. A cardboard layer is adhered on its lower surface to the upper surface of the top film layer, wherein the cardboard layer has at least one cavity opening which is substantially aligned with the scoring of the top film layer resealable flap and the cardboard layer is perforated to define a perimeter of at least one pull tab which is substantially aligned with and adhered, on its underside, to the upper surface of the top film layer pull tab.

A box making machinery and a corrugated board running register method, include a feeding unit, a processing apparatus which carries out processing on a corrugated board, a running register device which adjusts the processing position of the processing device in a carrying direction of the corrugated board, and a control device which controls the running register device, wherein the control device includes a carrying misalignment amount calculation unit which calculates the carrying misalignment amount of the corrugated board from the feeding unit to a preset predetermined carrying position, and a control unit which adjusts the processing position of the corrugated board to be processed next using the running register device on the basis of the carrying misalignment amount after processing of the corrugated board has finished.

A method for monitoring equipment and gathering consumption and diagnostic information can comprise receiving, at a server, a corrugate usage indicator. The corrugate usage indicator can comprise information relating to an amount of corrugate used by a first packaging system. The method can also comprise creating a usage profile for the first packaging system. The usage profile can comprise a corrugate usage profile. The corrugate usage profile can comprise an association between the amount of corrugate used by the first packaging system and the specifications and number of boxes created. Additionally, the method can comprise automatically generating, based upon the corrugate usage profile, a predicted time when a stock of corrugate associated with the first packaging system will be depleted.