The technology described herein generally relates to an automated packaging apparatus and system that packages loose particles into a conical container as well as the final folded packages. More specifically, loose plant matter, such as crumbled dried leaves, are supplied to successive paper cones. The apparatus packs the crumbled leaves into the cones, closes the wide top portion of the cone into a precise shape, and then runs a quality control check to ensure that the final filled cone meets preset specifications.

A box gluing device for attaching a glue tab of a box blank to an opposing panel when the box blank is folded so the glue tab is position at an edge of the box blank. The gluing device includes a support structure upon which a gluing apparatus and a support plate are mounted. The gluing apparatus a glue dispensing nozzle for applying glue on one or more surfaces of the box blank. The box blank can be moved through the gluing device to attach the glue tab to the opposing panel. As the box blank moves through the gluing device, a guide rail orients the glue tab in a desired manner while glue is applied to the box blank, and a roller assembly presses the glue tab and the opposing panel together with the glue therebetween. Alternatively, the gluing device can include a clamp arm that holds the box blank in place while glue is applied, and a folding bar that folds the glue tab onto the opposing panel after glue is applied.

A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material is provided. The blank includes a reinforcing panel assembly for forming a reinforcing corner assembly. The machine includes a hopper station for storing the blank in a substantially flat configuration and a forming station for forming the blank into the container. The forming station includes an initial forming station that rotates a first portion of the reinforcing panel assembly with respect to a second portion of the reinforcing panel assembly, and a secondary forming station having male and female forming members with shapes corresponding to an interior shape and an exterior shape of the reinforcing corner assembly, respectively. The male and the female forming members are configured to form the reinforcing corner assembly by compressing together the first and second portions of the reinforcing panel assembly.

A blank of sheet material for forming a polygonal container is provided. The blank includes a bottom panel, two opposing side panels, two opposing end panels, and a reinforcing panel assembly extending from a first side edge of a first end panel of the two end panels. The reinforcing panel assembly includes a corner panel extending from the first side edge of the first end panel, a first reinforcing side panel extending from a side edge of the corner panel, a second reinforcing side panel extending from a side edge of the first reinforcing side panel, a reinforcing corner panel extending from a side edge of the second reinforcing side panel, and an inner end panel extending from a side edge of the reinforcing corner panel. The corner panel and the reinforcing corner panel are configured, upon articulation of the blank, to be positioned into face-to-face relationship to form a corner wall of the container extending from a side edge of an end wall of the container to an end edge of a side wall of the container.

The present invention relates to a box forming machine for forming boxes of different shapes and sizes, comprising a forming station including an operating space, demarcated by upper and lower devices and receiving a box during the forming thereof, without horizontal movement of said box; flexible, pressurizable, and heatable glue conduits connected to a plurality of glue application nozzles, configured for being positioned in different positions consistent with the size of the box to be formed, and at least one electrically-operated valve configured for applying said hot glue in respective relative positions of said glue application nozzles with respect to the box, according to operative parameters associated with the dimensions of the box to be formed, including dimensions of upper and lower flaps of said box and at least one working temperature of a hot glue to be applied previously input in a user interface connected to a control device.

The present invention relates to a box forming machine for forming boxes of different shapes and sizes, comprising a forming station including an operating space, demarcated by upper and lower devices and receiving a box during the forming thereof, without horizontal movement of said box; flexible, pressurizable, and heatable glue conduits connected to a plurality of glue application nozzles, configured for being positioned in different positions consistent with the size of the box to be formed, and at least one electrically-operated valve configured for applying said hot glue in respective relative positions of said glue application nozzles with respect to the box, according to operative parameters associated with the dimensions of the box to be formed, including dimensions of upper and lower flaps of said box and at least one working temperature of a hot glue to be applied previously input in a user interface connected to a control device.

The technology described herein generally relates to particular form of folded package. The package packages loose particles into a conical container and secures the filling with a folded distal end. More specifically, loose plant matter, such as crumbled dried leaves, are supplied as filling and the package may further be provided with a fluid core.

A machine is configured to transition a blank having a fold line extending therein directly between first and second panels thereof. The machine includes a side support configured to abut an underside of the first panel, and a vacuum gripper including a suction cup that is extendable into suctioning engagement with an underside of the second panel, and that is retractable while maintaining suctioning engagement with the underside of the second panel. The vacuum gripper is configured to pull the second panel downward by retraction of the suction cup while maintaining suctioning engagement with the underside of the second panel and while the side support abuts the first panel, whereby the first panel bends along the fold line upwardly relative to the second panel. A rod is extendable into engagement with the underside of the first panel for further bending of the first panel along the fold line.

A system and method for forming knock-down blanks from die-cut flat blanks used for forming shipping cartons or cases, comprising positioning a flat blank in a forming device, wherein the flat blank has four panels each with a middle portion, a top flap hingeably connected to the middle portion and a bottom flap hingeably connected to the middle portion, wherein the fourth panel has a tab formed on the outer edge of its middle portion, wherein the forming device includes a first mechanically operated arm and a second mechanically operated arm, wherein the first arm contacts the first panel, and wherein the second arm contacts the fourth panel; applying adhesive to the tab; and using the first and second arms to fold the first and fourth panels 180° inward, wherein the adhesive on the tab joins the first and fourth panels together.

The package includes sidewall panels, at least one first platform panel configured to support at least one first consumer product within the package, at least one foot panel that is at least partially positioned under the at least one first platform panel to support at least one portion of the at least one first platform panel, and a tear-off section defined by at least a lower end of the package.