An apparatus for packaging of loose product includes a loading station, a box forming station and an uploading station. The loading station includes moveable chutes in spaced apart relation. Each chute has an open top, an open upstream end, and an open downstream end. The open top is configured to receive loose product while moving along a first feed path. The box forming station is operable to partially erect boxes in spaced apart relation with first and second open sides and align the first open side of each box with the downstream end of a corresponding chute while moving along a second feed path. The unloading station includes a stationary vacuum head in communication with the second open side of each box. The vacuum head provides a continuous vacuum source along the second feed path operable to move loose product from the chute into the boxes.

An apparatus for tamping the contents of a container having a bottom surface prone to bending and/or cracking during tamping. The apparatus includes a tamp head for tamping the contents of the container; and a container support assembly structured and arranged to temporarily support the bottom surface of the container during tamping, the container support assembly comprising a support element having a protrusion extending upward from a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface, wherein the protrusion is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the bottom surface of the container.

A box useful for pizza, a method of assembling the box, and method of using the box are described herein. The box comprises a base having sidewalls extending therefrom, a box lid having a top surface and a bottom surface, the box lid hingedly connected to one of the base sidewalls, the box lid further having foldable flaps extending therefrom. A plate pocket extends from and is connected to secured to an edge of the box lid, and plate pocket comprises a base with sidewalls extending therefrom, the plate pocket sidewalls extending towards the box lid bottom surface when the box is in an assembled position, and may contain plate pocket accessories within a plate pocket cavity.

A box useful for pizza, a method of assembling the box, and method of using the box are described herein. The box comprises a base having sidewalls extending therefrom, a box lid having a top surface and a bottom surface, the box lid hingedly connected to one of the base sidewalls, the box lid further having foldable flaps extending therefrom. A plate pocket extends from and is connected to secured to an edge of the box lid, and plate pocket comprises a base with sidewalls extending therefrom, the plate pocket sidewalls extending towards the box lid bottom surface when the box is in an assembled position, and may contain plate pocket accessories within a plate pocket cavity.

The invention relates to a method and a device for producing and packing individual strip-type objects, especially strips of chewing gum, comprising the following method steps and features: provision of rectangular sheets from which the strips are to be formed, the length of the shorter sides of the sheets corresponding to the length of a strip to be formed; formation of individual strips from the sheets provided; packing of the formed individual strips using a first packaging material; formation of a group of the individual packed strips; and packing of the formed group of strips using a second packaging material. The step of providing the sheets comprises the following additional method steps and features: creation of grooves in the sheets, said grooves extending parallel to the shorter sides of the sheets; and controlled supply of the individual sheets successively in the longitudinal direction thereof to the following step of forming the individual strips, in such a way that each sheet adjoins the respective previous sheet in a precise position, without gaps and without back pressure. The step of forming the individual strips comprises the following additional method steps and features: respective separation of an individual strip from the sheet on the front end thereof in the direction of transport by tearing along the respectively frontmost produced groove such that the supplied sheet and the separated strip are in the same plane; and acceleration of the separated strip in the direction of transport in order to create a gap between the individual successive strips.

The invention relates to a method and a device for producing and packing individual strip-type objects, especially strips of chewing gum, comprising the following method steps and features: provision of rectangular sheets from which the strips are to be formed, the length of the shorter sides of the sheets corresponding to the length of a strip to be formed; formation of individual strips from the sheets provided; packing of the formed individual strips using a first packaging material; formation of a group of the individual packed strips; and packing of the formed group of strips using a second packaging material. The step of providing the sheets comprises the following additional method steps and features: creation of grooves in the sheets, said grooves extending parallel to the shorter sides of the sheets; and controlled supply of the individual sheets successively in the longitudinal direction thereof to the following step of forming the individual strips, in such a way that each sheet adjoins the respective previous sheet in a precise position, without gaps and without back pressure. The step of forming the individual strips comprises the following additional method steps and features: respective separation of an individual strip from the sheet on the front end thereof in the direction of transport by tearing along the respectively frontmost produced groove such that the supplied sheet and the separated strip are in the same plane; and acceleration of the separated strip in the direction of transport in order to create a gap between the individual successive strips.

A method for automatic joint packaging of at least a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part having different geometries, is provided. The method includes automatically placing a first part on a transport surface with a front side facing in a transport direction and automatically placing a second part on the transport surface with the second part in front of the first part relative to the transport direction. The method further includes automatically transporting the first part and the second part along the transport surface to a packaging device by moving a pushing device into engagement with a rear side of the first part and pushing the first part in the transport direction, wherein the second part is taken along by the front side of the first part pushed by the pushing device.

Described herein is a packaging system comprising a sleeve having a plurality of sides, an open top, and an open bottom, each of the sides having an inner surface, an inner liner located on the inner surfaces of the sides of the sleeve, the inner liner having an inner surface that defines a cavity, a plurality of building panels located in the cavity, and an outer wrapping surrounding at least a portion of the sleeve and at least a portion of the plurality of building panels.

Described herein is a packaging system comprising a sleeve having a plurality of sides, an open top, and an open bottom, each of the sides having an inner surface, an inner liner located on the inner surfaces of the sides of the sleeve, the inner liner having an inner surface that defines a cavity, a plurality of building panels located in the cavity, and an outer wrapping surrounding at least a portion of the sleeve and at least a portion of the plurality of building panels.

A container or package for a food product is provided that includes a pedestal tray/support member formed of a material capable of supporting the weight of the food product to be positioned thereon and a cover engagable with the support member. The support member is formed with features to allow the cover to be readily engaged and disengaged from the support member and to enable the package to be easily grasped and moved in its entirety all without the need for a separate reinforcing corrugated pad disposed on the support member.