A unit for carrying out operations on first and second areas of packaging material which are spaced a first distance along direction when a portion of packaging material comprising first and second areas is flat; unit comprising: a feeding group feeding a packaging material web along a direction and in a first sense; a first tool to carry out first operation on first area arranged in a first desired position; a second tool to carry out second operation on second area arranged in a second desired position; first and second tool spaced for a second distance along direction; feeding group comprises: advancing device controllable to arrest web in a position, at which second area is spaced an intentional offset from second desired position; and an actuator controllable for moving second area towards second desired position to recover offset; absolute value of difference between first and distances being equal to offset.

A machine (1) for making blanks (2) for boxes to measure, comprises feed means configured for realizing rectangular pieces (3) of the blank (2). Each rectangular piece (3) has a width (La), measured along a first edge (3a) thereof, which width (La) is equal to a pre-determined width (La) of the blank (2) and a length (Lu), measured along a second edge (3b) of said rectangular piece, said length (Lu) being preferably less than a pre-determined length (Lu) of the blank (2). Joining means (32) are configured for joining at least two rectangular pieces (3) or one rectangular piece (3) and a piece of an intermediate blank previously made, relative to respective first edges (3a), so as to obtain a blank exhibiting an intermediate width (La), which intermediate width (La) is equal to the pre-determined width (La) of the blank (2), and a length which is greater than the pre-determined length (Lu) of the blank (2). Cutting means (40) are configured for cutting the intermediate blank parallel to the first edges in order to obtain the blank (2).

The present invention provides methods and systems for applying a second-piece material to a paperboard cutout that includes a conveyor belt used for transporting the paperboard cutouts, a vacuum belt, at least two metering rolls, a first roller and second roller in a spaced apart and planar relationship, a nip roller positioned adjacent the second roller, and a cutting device. The vacuum belt proceeds over the first roller and the at least two metering rolls meter the second-piece material thereon, the vacuum belt proceeds through a valley between the first roller and second roller, at a predetermined time, the nip roller continues to pull the vacuum belt and the metering rolls pull back slightly and pulling the second-piece material taught and causing the second-piece material to contact the cutting device, and thus cutting the second-piece material.

The present invention provides methods and systems for applying a second-piece material to a paperboard cutout that includes a conveyor belt used for transporting the paperboard cutouts, a vacuum belt, at least two metering rolls, a first roller and second roller in a spaced apart and planar relationship, a nip roller positioned adjacent the second roller, and a cutting device. The vacuum belt proceeds over the first roller and the at least two metering rolls meter the second-piece material thereon, the vacuum belt proceeds through a valley between the first roller and second roller, at a predetermined time, the nip roller continues to pull the vacuum belt and the metering rolls pull back slightly and pulling the second-piece material taught and causing the second-piece material to contact the cutting device, and thus cutting the second-piece material.

Systems for providing efficient manufacturing of sheet or box structures, corrugate sheets, or other products of varying size and structure often with pre-applied print (pre-print) are provided herein. The systems include various features and modules that enable automated control of the corrugator, including the knives, slitters, scorers and cut-to-mark detection system(s), are contemplated. Colored markings may be used to indicate an order change section between two order sections of a roll plan for the manufacturing process. The colored markings are detected as the corrugator runs and, once detected, a controller determines a next set of order instructionse.g., to match the upcoming order. Thus, an order change may occur, thereby enabling automated control of the corrugator based on the new order instructions. Computer readable markings may enable checking of the actual position in the roll plan to an intended position, enabling stopping or changing of the corrugator operation if needed.

The invention is directed to a balanced process for extrusion of a plastic corrugated sheet or blanks, and subsequent converting of the blanks into plastic boxes. The process includes conveying the blanks to a plurality of forming stations for incrementally forming features on the blank needed for forming a box. The present process is performed at a slower speed than typical paper corrugated forming.

Apparatus and methods for manufacture of customisable disposable tableware, such as paper plates, is provided. A digital printer is arranged to receive a feed of sheet material for printing and a cutter is arranged receive the sheet material exiting the printer. The cutter cuts the profile of discrete articles of tableware from the sheet material and a press is arranged to receive the discrete articles of tableware exiting the cutter. The press presses the articles of tableware to impart a three-dimensional shape to the articles. The printer, cutter and press may be provided as part of a continuous, in-line system. The printer may receive graphics to be printed from a server, for example to allow printing of small batch orders of bespoke paper plates in an efficient manner.

A system for forming a pressware product comprises rollers, a scoring tool, a scoring station actuator, a forming tool, and a forming station actuator. The rollers pull the web along a path having an angle. The scoring tool receives the material from the rollers and includes a vertically shiftable scoring punch with an edge that extends about an outline of the pressware product and a striker plate. The scoring station actuator shifts the scoring tool to form a slot in the web. The forming tool receives the scored web and includes a vertically shiftable positive mold assembly and negative mold assembly. The forming station actuator shifts the positive mold assembly to press against the web and form the pressware product.

A system is claimed for forming a container from a tubular blank comprising a plurality of panels and flaps interconnected to provide a generally flattened tubular configuration. A first and second panels are provided with the second panel being rotatable relative to the first panel. The system may comprise a first engagement device for engaging the first panel and a second engagement device for engaging the second panel, and being located on a panel rotating apparatus operable to rotate the second panel from an orientation generally parallel to the first panel to a second orientation at an angle to the first panel. The generally flattened tubular blank may be reconfigured from a generally flattened configuration to an open configuration.

A system is claimed for forming a container from a tubular blank comprising a plurality of panels and flaps interconnected to provide a generally flattened tubular configuration. A first and second panels are provided with the second panel being rotatable relative to the first panel. The system may comprise a first engagement device for engaging the first panel and a second engagement device for engaging the second panel, and being located on a panel rotating apparatus operable to rotate the second panel from an orientation generally parallel to the first panel to a second orientation at an angle to the first panel. The generally flattened tubular blank may be reconfigured from a generally flattened configuration to an open configuration.