Pallet unit (1) for transporting objects comprising a pallet (10) and a stack (11) of object blocks (B1 . . . B5) arranged on the pallet (10). The pallet unit (1) comprises a wrapping sheet (12) having vertical portions (V1 . . . V12) and horizontal portions (h1 h15) covering parts of the blocks (B1 . . . B5), said wrapping sheet (12) being laid along a continuous path and extending at least partly within the stack (11). Method for palletizing object blocks using said pallet unit (1).

The present invention provides a packaging apparatus for in-line packaging wrapping of a foldable blank around a receiving load that is simultaneously dropped onto the loading space of the foldable blank. The packaging apparatus includes a support means adapted to receive a supply of one or more foldable blanks. The support means includes a support frame supported onto two or more parallel longitudinal rails positioned generally transversal to a direction of supply of foldable blanks. The apparatus further includes an article loading mechanism to load a group of articles onto a loading space defined onto the foldable blank received onto the support means. The apparatus furthermore includes an erecting mechanism having a plurality of generally spaced apart vertical lugs, positioned onto one or more sides of the support frame, and at a height lower than the height of longitudinal rails such that a vertically upward movement of the lugs engages and erects at least one side of the foldable blank around the articles already loaded onto the foldable blank.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, and a blank (10) for forming the article carrier. The article carrier comprises a plurality of panels (12,14,16,18,20,22,24) forming a tubular structure for surrounding at least one article. The article carrier comprises an article retention device for engaging a recess of at least one article to prevent or inhibit dislodgement or unintentional egress of the article from at least one of opposite open ends of the tubular structure. The article retention device comprises an engaging tab (40,42) hingedly connected to one of the plurality of panels, which may be a base panel. The point of contact between the engaging tab and an inside surface of a recess in the bottom of the article is farthermost from the adjacent end edge of a respective one of a pair of bottom lap panels.

The present invention provides a shaping tool for shaping a package formed of a foldable blank, the tool comprising: —an overhead conveyor comprising a plurality of downwardly protruding spaced apart counter-means; —a first conveyor extending between a receiving end towards an output end, and adapted to receive the foldable blank from an incoming conveying line at the receiving end and to position the foldable blank below one of the downwardly protruding counter-means; —a shaping station extending away from the receiving end, the shaping station comprising: a pair of parallel shaping tracks, each positioned on one side of the first conveyor, the pair of generally parallel shaping tracks comprising a plurality of pairs of independently movable shaping lugs, each pair of shaping lugs having a predetermined shape and adapted to receive one of the foldable blanks there-between; the pair of lugs movable towards each other to form a package having a desired shape.

A method of arranging articles can comprise moving a first article and a second article along a respective first lane and second lane toward a respective first output end of the first lane and second output end of the second lane, and guiding the first article from the first output end onto a stacking conveyor. The guiding the first article can comprise engaging the first article with first guide features. The method further can comprise moving the first article on the stacking conveyor past the second output end, and forming a stack by guiding the second article from the second output end onto the first article on the stacking conveyor as the stacking conveyor moves the first article past the second output end. The guiding the second article can comprise engaging the second article with second guide features. The method also can comprise moving the stack on the stacking conveyor.

A system is disclosed for loading cases with items comprising: an item delivery apparatus operable to deliver a plurality of items to a transfer station; a collation platform operable to support a group of items; a pedestal apparatus operable to support the group of items; a first transfer apparatus operable to transfer a plurality of items from the item delivery apparatus to the collation platform. A second transfer apparatus transfers the group of items from the collation platform to the pedestal apparatus. At least one movement rod moves the group of items. A case movement apparatus such as a six-axis robotic arm is moves an erected case in a path that sheaths a group of items located on said pedestal apparatus with an erected case. The path of the case may have a tilted position and include an arced pivoting movement.

A reusable packaging system for a gift, comprising: a decorative wrapping for wrapping around the gift so that the gift is concealed thereby, the decorative wrapping defining a plurality of mounting apertures; and a mount securable to the gift independently from the decorative wrapping, the mount being provided with a wrapping attachment insertable in each of the mounting apertures. The decorative wrapping is movable between attached and detached configurations. In the detached configuration, the decorative wrapping is detached from the mount. In the attached configuration, with the mount secured to the gift, the decorative wrapping is attached to the mount and encloses the gift, the decorative wrapping being secured to the wrapping attachment with the wrapping attachment inserted through at least some of the mounting apertures.

An automation or robotics application to wrap objects that are cuboid-shaped and may have an arbitrary size. The machine includes a first module for advertising, dimensioning, and user interfacing. A second module is provided for wrapping paper handling. A third module provides a platform and object alignment assembly. A fourth module provides a gift wrapping chamber. A fifth module provides a taping and dispensing area. A sixth module provides a waste management area. The wrapping machine is configured to autonomously wrap the object and to deliver the fully wrapped object back to original position of the platform.

A blank and a package are disclosed as well as a manufacturing method thereof of a package for flat plates, including: producing a foldable flat blank made of a packaging material; folding the flat blank to form a box-shaped package with open closable flaps; introducing the flat plates into the box-shaped package and closing the closable flaps; in the production step of the flat blank the following steps being further provided: supplying a web of the wrapping material to a punching and sorting unit to obtain strips parallel to a travel direction; punching and separating elongated modular pieces from the strips; folding flat to an L-shape the elongated modular pieces, bringing them close in pairs in correspondence of respective ends; fastening the modular pieces folded to an L-shape in correspondence of the respective ends, forming the blank in the shape of a quadrangular frame.

A substantially cuboid reclosable flexible package (8) for transporting multiple personal hygiene absorbent articles “on-the-go” is disclosed. It has a front wall (81), a rear wall (82), two opposed side walls (83,83) and two opposed end walls (84,84′). It includes a stack of at least two personal hygiene absorbent articles (1,100) comprising a garment attachment adhesive covered by a removable release paper (2), and which are folded inwardly with the removable release paper (2) exposed. The folded absorbent articles are free of an individual wrapping pouch and comprise closure means (7) for securing said folding. The package (8) is made of or paper wrap sealed at one position on either the front (81), the rear (82), or one of the two side walls (83,83′), and on the two end walls (84,84′). It comprises, on at least one wall, a tear-open flap (86) limited by at least one tearing line (87).