A method of processing a plurality of articles through a processing section of a packaging machine includes guiding a plurality of articles supported on a support tray blank onto at least one additional conveyor extending about and riding on a conveyor, folding at least one of a leading edge flap and trailing edge flap of the support tray blank with at least one tray folding member provided on the at least one additional conveyor to form a portion of a support tray, and shifting the support tray along the conveyor.

An apparatus includes a folding unit and a transport unit that transports a package assembly on a transport plane towards the folding unit, the package assembly comprising containers that have been wrapped in a paper blank that comprises tabs that project past the containers. The tabs comprise a lower tab that is coplanar with the transport plane. The folding unit comprises a folding-device that folds lower tabs with plates arranged on both sides of the transport unit. The plates move with three degrees-of-freedom: along the transport unit, towards the package assembly, and perpendicular to the transport plane.

An apparatus includes a folding unit and a transport unit that transports a package assembly on a transport plane towards the folding unit, the package assembly comprising containers that have been wrapped in a paper blank that comprises tabs that project past the containers. The tabs comprise a lower tab that is coplanar with the transport plane. The folding unit comprises a folding-device that folds lower tabs with plates arranged on both sides of the transport unit. The plates move with three degrees-of-freedom: along the transport unit, towards the package assembly, and perpendicular to the transport plane.

A flap folding mechanism includes a base. The flap folding mechanism also includes a backing plate, coupled to the base. The flap folding mechanism further includes a pair of flap folding fingers, coupled to the base. The flap folding mechanism additionally include a first actuator, configured to rotate the pair of flap folding fingers relative to the backing plate between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. The flap folding mechanism also includes a second actuator, configured to move the pair of flap folding fingers relative to each other between a closed position and an open position.

A flap folding mechanism includes a base. The flap folding mechanism also includes a backing plate, coupled to the base. The flap folding mechanism further includes a pair of flap folding fingers, coupled to the base. The flap folding mechanism additionally include a first actuator, configured to rotate the pair of flap folding fingers relative to the backing plate between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. The flap folding mechanism also includes a second actuator, configured to move the pair of flap folding fingers relative to each other between a closed position and an open position.

A packaging machine includes a pair of grips holding vicinities of two sides of a bag mouth of a packaging bag, a moving body to intermittently moving the paired grips every one of a plurality of packaging steps, and a paper packaging bag sealing device provided in a section where a sealing step is carried out, for sealing a paper packaging bag to which a sealing adhesive agent has been applied.

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.

An apparatus for faulting a carton containing a group of articles and a method of forming a carton. The apparatus comprises an article positioning system for positioning articles into a plurality of groups of articles and moving the groups of articles along a processing path, a blank handling apparatus for conveying a plurality of carton blanks towards the plurality of groups of articles, and a folding mechanism that is downstream of the blank handling apparatus for folding a portion of the ends of each respective carton blank downwardly around the respective group of articles.

An apparatus for faulting a carton containing a group of articles and a method of forming a carton. The apparatus comprises an article positioning system for positioning articles into a plurality of groups of articles and moving the groups of articles along a processing path, a blank handling apparatus for conveying a plurality of carton blanks towards the plurality of groups of articles, and a folding mechanism that is downstream of the blank handling apparatus for folding a portion of the ends of each respective carton blank downwardly around the respective group of articles.

A folding machine for wrapping a bundle of cigarettes in metal-laminated paper. A partially wrapped bundle of cigarettes, including an unwrapped trailing end, is received in a pocket of a shuttle from a pusher. The shuttle comprises a top folder, two side folders and two bottom folders that are integrated with the shuttle and can operate on the partially unwrapped package along respective edges of its end face and produce a wrapped package in the pocket. Another pusher is configured to eject the wrapped package from the pocket of the shuttle. The shuttle also includes a gripper for gripping the partially wrapped bundle. The driving mechanism for the gripper is integrated with the driving mechanism for the shuttle.