A method of designing a package configured to securely accommodate one of two or more differently shaped objects. The method comprises: establishing a predetermined orientation for each of the two or more differently shaped objects relative to common axes; identifying dimensionally common points of the two or more differently shaped objects; and developing a design for a package configured to constrain the two or more differently shaped objects at the identified dimensionally common points.

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.

A carton assembly machine for cartons (17) for packing articles (15, 15′), comprising means for feeding an unassembled carton in a feed direction, the said carton having a plurality of side flaps or panels (18, 19) whose folds are essentially parallel to the said feed direction folded onto a central portion (25) of the carton, the said machine further comprising a movable element (26) designed to move between a first position away from the route of the carton and a second position in which the said element is designed to be Inserted underneath, at an edge (27) of at least one of said side flaps or panels (19), so that the latter is raised with respect to the said central portion, in particular, in cooperation with the carton feeding.

Techniques for improving packaging systems are described. In an example, a computer system receives item data from a workstation. The item data includes a description of an item. The computer system also receives fit parameters. The fit parameters adjust the fit of items within packaging. The workstation is configured to facilitate packaging of the item. Based at least in part on an input to a packaging decision system, the computer system generates a package decision indicating a package type associated with the packaging of the item. The input is based at least in part on the item data. The packaging decision system is trained based at least in part on packaging data associated with historical item orders. The computer system sends the package decision to the workstation.

A machine for dispensing an aerosol precursor composition for use with aerosol delivery devices. The machine may include a plurality of sources of dispensable, liquid aerosol precursor components. The plurality of sources may differ in the liquid aerosol precursor components being dispensable therefrom. The machine may include a user interface configured to allow a user to select an amount of the liquid aerosol precursor components for dispensing. The machine may also include a dispenser for dispensing the aerosol precursor components in response to the selection made on the user interface.

A method of preparing a packaging box (50) wherein late stage customization (20) is provided on the inside of the packaging box. Late stage customization is provided on a folded packaging box. Late stage customization is provided by an imaging technique selected from laser marking, laser engraving, thermal printing and inkjet printing. The packaging box includes an image-receiving layer adapted to the imaging-technique.

A cartoner infeed bucket includes a bottom wall, a first end wall extending upward from the bottom wall and a second end wall extending upward from the bottom wall and spaced apart from the first end wall to define an item carrying space, the second end wall running substantially parallel to the first end wall. The second end wall is mounted for adjustable movement along the bottom wall so as to vary a spacing between the first end wall and the second end wall and/or the first end wall is mounted for pivotable movement relative to the bottom wall.

A container filling assembly that can be used with container filling systems to fill containers during successive filling cycles with the same or different fluid compositions at high rates of speed, with little to no machinery changeover, and/or with little to no fluid waste.

A system for packaging one or more items includes an order arrangement station where the one or more items can be arranged into a stack with a desired configuration. A dimensioning mechanism determines the outer dimensions of the stack and a converting assembly creates a box template that when erected forms a box that is custom sized to the dimensions of the stack. A crowder assembly holds and maintains the stack in the desired configuration while the box template is at least partially folded around the stack. The box template is secured around the stack in the form of a box.

An actuator system for fabricating a cavity within thermoplastic material includes a plurality of actuators arranged in an array. When dimensions of an item are determined, the actuator system may be programmed with data regarding such dimensions to fabricate a cavity for the item. A subset of the actuators, and distances by which each of the actuators is to be extended, may be selected based on dimensions of the item, in order to fabricate a cavity within the thermoplastic material that may accommodate the item therein. Additionally, the actuators and the distances may be selected based on intrinsic or extrinsic data regarding the item, and a cavity fabricated within the thermoplastic material may include one or more buffer zones or protective regions that are specifically formed with respect to aspects of the item.