A packing case blank including an opening device comprising a paper tear strip attached to the blank by a layer of adhesive.

A forming machine (2) for forming a box (60) from a blank (6) made of paper or cardboard, including a base (6a) and side panels (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) connected to the base (6a), comprises: a working zone configured to receive the blank (6); a plurality of folders (21) positioned in the working zone and configured to interact with the side panels (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of the blank (6) to fold them and dispose them parallel to a vertical direction (V), with respective lateral borders juxtaposed to define vertical edges of the side wall of the box (60); a plurality of heads (22), including respective pressers (222) that are movable towards and away from each other, wherein each presser (222) is configured to press a respective vertical edge from the outside of the space inside the box (60).

A system and method of at least partially forming reinforced packages. The method comprises moving a construct in a machine direction on a construct conveyor. The construct conveyor can comprise a primary lug belt with a primary lug, the construct can be disposed on the primary lug belt, and the moving the construct can comprise moving the primary lug belt in the machine direction to push the construct in the machine direction. The method further can comprise positioning a liner on the construct conveyor so that the liner at least partially extends over the construct and moving the liner in the machine direction on a secondary lug belt of the construct conveyor. The secondary lug belt can comprise a secondary lug and the moving the liner can comprise moving the secondary lug belt in the machine direction to push the liner in the machine direction.

A system and method of at least partially forming reinforced packages. The method comprises moving a construct in a machine direction on a construct conveyor. The construct conveyor can comprise a primary lug belt with a primary lug, the construct can be disposed on the primary lug belt, and the moving the construct can comprise moving the primary lug belt in the machine direction to push the construct in the machine direction. The method further can comprise positioning a liner on the construct conveyor so that the liner at least partially extends over the construct and moving the liner in the machine direction on a secondary lug belt of the construct conveyor. The secondary lug belt can comprise a secondary lug and the moving the liner can comprise moving the secondary lug belt in the machine direction to push the liner in the machine direction.

A box-making apparatus includes an electronic controller assesses abnormalities in the affixing of tape on the basis of a timing at which a cardboard box passes a detection position Pd, and a timing at which a tape roll starts or stops an action of unreeling the tape. The electronic controller assesses abnormalities in the affixing of tape also when there is a discrepancy of at least a predetermined amount between the timing at which the cardboard box passes the detection position and the timing at which the tape roll starts or stops the action of unreeling the tape.

A method of applying a tape to an article. The method includes contacting a first activatable adhesive composition of an adhesive tape with a placement device. The adhesive tape has a carrier substrate, the first activatable adhesive composition disposed on a first surface of the carrier substrate, and a second activatable adhesive composition disposed on a second surface of the carrier substrate. The method includes activating the first activatable adhesive composition such that the adhesive tape adheres to the placement device through the first activatable adhesive composition, separating the adhesive tape from a tape delivery system, activating the second activatable adhesive composition, contacting an article with the second activatable adhesive composition, and separating the placement device from the adhesive tape such that the adhesive tape remains adhered to the article.

A method of applying a tape to an article. The method includes contacting a first activatable adhesive composition of an adhesive tape with a placement device. The adhesive tape has a carrier substrate, the first activatable adhesive composition disposed on a first surface of the carrier substrate, and a second activatable adhesive composition disposed on a second surface of the carrier substrate. The method includes activating the first activatable adhesive composition such that the adhesive tape adheres to the placement device through the first activatable adhesive composition, separating the adhesive tape from a tape delivery system, activating the second activatable adhesive composition, contacting an article with the second activatable adhesive composition, and separating the placement device from the adhesive tape such that the adhesive tape remains adhered to the article.

Methods, articles, and apparatus that provide a dual function closure/opening system that utilizes a tape serving as both a sealing closure and as an opening mechanism. For example, in one embodiment, a single adhesive tape is introduced between a container flap and a container panel and then the container flap and the container panel are pressed together forming a bond between the flap and the panel via the adhesive tape thereby closing the container. In another embodiment, one end of a container includes two overlapping flaps and a single adhesive tape is introduced between the overlap of the two container flaps and then the container flaps are pressed together forming a bond between the flaps via the adhesive tape thereby closing the container. The methods and apparatus disclosed herein are directed to any container with at least one flap that overlaps a side panel of the container or that overlaps another flap.

Methods, articles, and apparatus that provide a dual function closure/opening system that utilizes a tape serving as both a sealing closure and as an opening mechanism. For example, in one embodiment, a single adhesive tape is introduced between a container flap and a container panel and then the container flap and the container panel are pressed together forming a bond between the flap and the panel via the adhesive tape thereby closing the container. In another embodiment, one end of a container includes two overlapping flaps and a single adhesive tape is introduced between the overlap of the two container flaps and then the container flaps are pressed together forming a bond between the flaps via the adhesive tape thereby closing the container. The methods and apparatus disclosed herein are directed to any container with at least one flap that overlaps a side panel of the container or that overlaps another flap.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carrier and including a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, and a central panel extending from the front panel to the back panel. The central panel includes a reconfigurable lower portion that is positionable between respective bottom portions of adjacent containers of the plurality of containers. The carrier also includes a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps are at least partially overlapped to form a closed bottom of the carrier.