A lifting apparatus for a case on a conveyor system. A chain vertically hangs over a conveyor belt. A hook is positioned on an end of the chain. A piston retracts and releases the chain. The hook interacts with and moves front flaps on cases traveling on the conveyor system.

A production line (1) for making a covered box (8) comprises: a forming machine (2), configured to receive a cardboard box blank (6) and to fold it to form the box and including a plurality of folders (21) and a movement system configured to receive the box blank (6) oriented horizontally, and comprising a plurality of columns (23), extending along the vertical direction (V) and configured to abut against the base (6a) of the box blank (6) and to move it along a vertical direction (V); a gluing unit (3), configured to receive a covering blank (7) and to spread glue on the covering blank (7); a positioning device (4), configured to position the box on the covering blank (7); a covering machine (5), configured receive the box coupled to the respective covering blank (7) from the positioning device (4) and to fold the covering blank (7) into contact with the box in such a way as to cover the box.

A box erecting device for folding a box is disclosed herein. The box erecting device includes a folding plate and a lid erecting system. The folding plate is configured for erecting a box, and a folding notch including a first edge and a second edge is formed in the folding plate. The first edge is configured for erecting a first dust flap of the box, and the second edge is configured for erecting a second dust flap of the box. The lid erecting system is disposed adjacent to the folding plate and is configured for erecting a lid of the box. The lid erecting system includes a tab funnel and a folding tool. The tab funnel includes a ramp for retaining the dust flaps while closing the lid. The folding tool includes a hooked ramp for causing a distal end of the lid to be inserted into the box.

In erecting a carton from a knock-down carton blank, the blank is placed on a base of a bed of a shuttle such that a bottom side panel of the blank abuts the base. The bottom side panel of the blank is then gripped with a gripper of the base and a top side panel of the blank is raised while advancing the shuttle in a horizontal direction so as to open said knock-down carton blank into a carton sleeve.

A carton has an automatically erected bottom that securely closes the bottom of the carton. In one embodiment, the carton blank has two major side panels and two minor side panels serially connected. The carton blank has two bottom flaps which form the bottom of the carton. Each bottom flap is connected to one of the major side panels and one of the minor side panels. The carton blank avoids the erecting and forming issues associated with prior art carton blanks which have an automatically erected bottom.

Systems and methods for folding and retaining upper flaps of a box are disclosed. The system includes a conveyor system configured to advance the box at least partially through the system. A flap folding assembly is configured to fold the upper flaps of the box to an open or outwardly folded configuration. The upper flaps are folded outwardly and down towards outer sidewall surfaces of the box in the folded configuration. A bander assembly is configured to apply a band or other restraint to the upper flaps of the box to retain the upper flaps in the folded configuration.

The invention relates to a folding apparatus for folding a carton blank not belonging to the folding apparatus. The folding apparatus comprises a folding die unit and a folding head unit. According to the invention, the folding die unit comprises two folding die sub-units, each having a substantially U-shaped frame. A plurality of folding tools are disposed on each frame. Furthermore, a base leg of the U-shape of each folding die sub-unit is attached to a separate vertical beam so as to be movable up and down in the height direction. The two U-shaped frames are disposed with the openings of the respective U-shapes facing each other.

A container device and methods of operation and assembly of the same are provided. The container device is formed from a foldable material and includes interior locking mechanisms that prevent an inner box from being removed from an outer cover unless a user depresses a portion of the outer box to disengage an internal locking mechanism. A secondary locking mechanism prevents the inner box from being removed entirely from the outer cover.

A device for forming a container by folding a cardboard sheet having a lid and notably a tab. The forming device comprising a conveyor driving said cardboard sheet in a direction of travel and a device for folding over said lid. The folding-over device comprises a pressing surface for pressing on said lid, and the pressing surface is configured to move from an initial position toward a deployed position of folding said lid, and vice versa. The said pressing surface is mobile in said direction of travel, and comprises an endless belt motorized in said direction of travel.

An opening arm has a thickness smaller than a clearance between a pair of flaps that are formed adjacent to each other in one plate-like portion of a pair of plate-like portions of a cardboard sheet folded like a plate. The pair of plate-like portions face each other. A moving portion moves the opening arm. In a state where the opening arm is inserted in the clearance G1 between the pair of flaps, the opening arm faces a flap that is formed in another plate-like portion of the pair of plate-like portions and that is located at a position that faces the clearance. The moving portion moves the opening arm such that the opening arm pushes the flap formed in the other plate-like portion, and that the other plate-like portion is separated from the one plate-like portion.