A container forming apparatus for forming a container from a blank includes a blank transfer station including an adhesive assembly having a plurality of adhesive applicators, and a compression station downstream of the blank transfer station, the compression station including a vertically movable mandrel and a forming tool below the mandrel. The forming tool defines a cavity therein and has an inner profile complementary in shape to an outer profile of the mandrel. Hot-melt adhesive is applied to a surface of the blank as the blank is transferred through the adhesive assembly. The blank is positioned beneath the mandrel, and the mandrel drives the blank downward into the cavity of forming tool. Compression plates fold panels of the blank, and the formed container includes a fully formed top flange.

An apparatus (6) as well as a method for the pre-treatment of packaging blanks are disclosed (10). These each have through-openings for receiving articles (12) and for forming packaging units (18).

A weakening of the at least one through-opening of the packaging blank (10) can be carried out in each case using at least two different expansion dies (44; 44a, 44b, 44c). The expansion dies (44; 44a, 44b, 44c) are each equipped with expansion tools with different opening widths and/or different contours for respectively influencing an extent of the weakening of the at least one through-opening.

At least one handling robot (70, 88, 90, 108) serves to bring together the packaging blanks (10) with at least one of the at least two available expansion dies (44; 44a, 44b, 44c).

A system and method of packing an order. A first sequence of bins corresponding to orders is transported on a first conveyor to a packing station. A case for each order is constructed by a case forming system, the case forming system able to construct cases from blanks of various sizes. The cases are transported from the case construction apparatus to the packing station in a second sequence, wherein the sequential order of the cases corresponds to the bins in the first sequence. The bin in the first sequence are brought to the packing station with the cases in the second sequence.

A system and method of packing an order. A first sequence of bins corresponding to orders is transported on a first conveyor to a packing station. A case for each order is constructed by a case forming system, the case forming system able to construct cases from blanks of various sizes. The cases are transported from the case construction apparatus to the packing station in a second sequence, wherein the sequential order of the cases corresponds to the bins in the first sequence. The bin in the first sequence are brought to the packing station with the cases in the second sequence.