A rectangular blank has sides X and Y, where a and b are side dimensions, h is height, and r is width, or width reduced by height h, of the periphery region R of the finished packaging. The method includes: producing folding lines B in the blank parallel to side Y at these distances from the latter: B.sub.1: a.sub.1=h; B.sub.2: a.sub.2=h+a; B.sub.3: a.sub.3=2h+a; severing of two severing lines T, each starting from opposite sides X, along one of the folding lines B, or the extension thereof; selecting the distance between two end points E.sub.T of the severing lines T which are closer to an axis of symmetry S.sub.1 parallel to the side X, such that the distance corresponds to a side B″ of the finished packaging or length of a side M of a packaging insert.

A method and a system for erecting boxes from box templates of different sizes, said method comprising the steps of: adjusting a size of a frame (5; 105) according to a size of a box template (3; 103) which should be erected; wrapping the box template (3; 103) to be erected around the frame (5; 105); and separating the frame (5; 105) from the box template.

According to one embodiment a thermosealing machine is provided that includes a movable lower mold with a box formed by a box base, a box structure, and a box frame attached to the box structure. The box frame includes a frame cavity, and the lower mold includes a pad coupled to the box frame with freedom of vertical movement. The thermosealing machine includes a lower stop and an upper stop, the upper stop being operatively coupled to the pad and vertically movable with the pad. The upper stop is configured to move between an inoperative position and an operative position. In the operative position the upper stop is arranged in the path of travel of the lower stop. In the inoperative position the upper stop is arranged outside of the path of travel of the lower stop.

An adaptive container loading assembly is provided and includes a container forming assembly, a container shuttle assembly, and a product transport assembly. The container forming provides a plurality of varying sized containers. The container shuttle assembly is positioned adjacent to the container forming assembly and includes a linear synchronous motor guideway shaped in an endless loop, and a plurality of transport vehicles moveable about the guideway, each transport vehicle a leading shuttle and a trailing shuttle spaced apart by a determined distance to accommodate and receive the plurality of varying sized containers. The product transport assembly is positioned adjacent the container shuttle assembly and includes a robot arm to position product in the plurality of varying sized containers.

A semi-automatic case handling machine includes a case holding and forming section with laterally movable spaced apart walls, bottom major flap kickers movable with the walls, and a bottom minor flap kicker movable axially. A case sealing section of the machine includes a bottom taper for taping bottom major flaps, an upper taper for taping upper major flaps, the upper taper movable vertically, and a pair of spaced apart conveyors for moving cases past the bottom taper and the upper taper for taping, wherein the spaced apart conveyors are movable laterally. An adjustment system includes a memory storing a plurality of machine set ups, wherein each machine set up includes data corresponding to (i) lateral positions for the spaced apart walls, the spaced apart bottom major flap kickers and the spaced apart conveyors, (ii) axial position for the bottom minor flap kicker and (iii) vertical position for the upper taper.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved methods, techniques, and processes, often computer-based, for fulfilling commerce orders (e.g., e-commerce orders), such as automated generation of, among other things, (1) pack lists organized by “common order” number, (2) optimized packaging and shipping carrier recommendations, and (3) shipping labels.

An opening station for facilitating box opening may include a scanning station, an edge opening station, and a conveyor assembly. The scanning station is configured to measure a length “L”, height “H”, and/or width “W” of a substantially square box having a top, a bottom, two sides, and two edge portions. The edge opening station is configured to perform perforation operations on at least one of the two edge portions. A complete box opening system may include the scanning station, edge opening station, conveyor, and at least one of a top opening station and a side opening station.

The invention is directed to a thermoforming packaging machine (1) for producing sealed packages (2) having a planar surface (3) and a shaped recess (4) comprising a sealing station (6) with a lower sealing tool (7) comprising of a first part (8) provided with a first seal seam support (8a) for supporting a first sealed seam (9) at the outer perimeter (10) of the planar surface (3) of the moulded product (2a) and a second part (11) provided with a second support (11a) provided with a seal seam support opening (12). The second support (11a) supports a second sealed seam (12a) on the planar surface (3) of the moulded product (2a) following the perimeter (13) of the shaped recess (4). The first part (8) and the second part (11) are separate parts which are detachable connected.

A capping and de-capping apparatus (100) for capping and de-capping tubes (112) disposed in a tube holding rack (111) having a two-dimensional array of apertures (114) for holding the tubes (112). The apparatus (100) comprises a rack support (110) for supporting the tube holding rack (111), a head unit (120) adapted for carrying a cartridge (152) comprising at least one capping and de-capping gripper (122), a drive system (130) for moving the rack support (110) and the head unit (120) relatively towards and away from one another, in order to cause engagement or disengagement of the capping and de-capping gripper (122) with or from a cap (113) of at least one tube (112), and a drive system (140) for rotating the capping and de-capping gripper (122), wherein rotation in one direction causes attachment of the cap (113) to the tube (112) and rotation in the opposite direction causes detachment of the cap (113) from said tube (112).

An inline packaging machine for automatically accommodating and filling different sized containers, such as pouches, to reduce changeover time and thereby improve operating efficiency of the machine. The machine includes stations disposed longitudinally along a center line of the machine, including a first carrier track opposing a second carrier track with respect to the center line. A first clamp is disposed on the first carrier track and at least a second clamp is disposed on the second carrier track wherein the clamps are configured to releasably secure first-sized pouches for filling. The pouches are advanced inline from a setup station through an opening station to a filling station for filling with contents. The filled pouches are then advanced to a sealing and discharging station. A control system automatically adjusts the distance between the corresponding clamps to accommodate second-sized and/or third-sized pouches for inline processing and filling.