Folding unit for folding cardboard blanks having an end panel, a corner panel and a side panel, said folding unit comprising an end panel folding element actuable to pivot about a first axis and a side panel folding element actuable to pivot about a second axis, said folding unit comprising a corner panel folding element, said corner panel folding element comprising a guiding plate, said guiding plate being actuable to move about at least one axis in order to initiate folding a corner panel about an axis being substantially parallel to said second axis.

A method and system are disclosed for forming a can from a re-configurable blank. A blank is also disclosed that may be a paper based blank and may be of multi-layer construction. The method may comprise: (a) supporting the blank in a first orientation; (b) positioning a first portion of an outward facing surface of a blank support device proximate a first portion of the blank while the blank is in the first orientation; (c) while the first portion of the blank is in the first orientation, rotating a second portion of the blank around a second portion of the outward facing surface of the blank support device; and (d) rotating a third portion of the blank from the first orientation, around a third portion of the outward facing surface of the blank support device. A generally tubular side wall may thus be formed for a can.

A system and method are disclosed for forming a container from a generally flat re-configurable blank. A first portion of an outward facing surface of a blank support device is positioned proximate a first portion of a blank while the blank is in a first orientation. While the first portion of the blank is maintained in the first orientation, a second portion of said blank is rotated from the first orientation, around a second portion of the outward facing surface of the blank support device to form a blank that has a generally tubular configuration. The system and method may provide that during the rotating of said second portion of said blank, the blank is engaged on a surface side which forms an inner surface of the generally tubular configuration. Also disclosed is a system and method that includes retaining a reconfigurable blank in a holding apparatus; applying adhesive to a surface of the blank while said blank is retained in the holding apparatus.

A blank which can be folded to form a pack for food items and the like. The blank being formed of a laminate of a card layer on a film layer. The blank has a front face (9) and rear face (13) connected to opposite sides of a base (10) via fold lines (12, 14). The base has a central third transverse fold line (11) about which the base can be folded in an opposite sense. Side panels (15, 17) extend transversely from both sides of the blank. A film layer extends beyond the card layer so as to form unsupported film regions with a first region extending transversely from the base (10) and a second region continuous with the first region to at least partially overlie a corresponding side panel (15, 17) when the blank is folded. The second regions of unsupported film bond with the film on the corresponding side panel to seal the side panels in the erected pack.

A method and system are disclosed for forming a can from a re-configurable blank. A blank is also disclosed that may be a paper based blank and may be of multi-layer construction. The method may comprise: (a) supporting the blank in a first orientation; (b) positioning a first portion of an outward facing surface of a blank support device proximate a first portion of the blank while the blank is in the first orientation; (c) while the first portion of the blank is in the first orientation, rotating a second portion of the blank around a second portion of the outward facing surface of the blank support device; and (d) rotating a third portion of the blank from the first orientation, around a third portion of the outward facing surface of the blank support device. A generally tubular side wall may thus be formed for a can.

A folding station includes an inlet and an outlet and is predisposed to receive at the inlet a cardboard blank having two transversal edges, two longitudinal edges, two longitudinal score lines, and four transverse score lines. The two longitudinal score lines define therebetween a central sector and also define two lateral sectors externally of the two longitudinal score lines. Cuts in the two lateral sectors define a series of flaps. The folding station further comprises a conveyor for transporting the cardboard blank in an advancement direction to a position, a first folding bar located by a flank of a first side of the conveyor at the position, and a second folding bar located by a flank of a second side of the conveyor at the position. The first folding bar and the second folding bar rotate to fold the flaps in the two lateral sectors onto respective portions of the central sector of the cardboard blank.

A conveyor of a cardboard-folding station receives a cardboard blank having a first portion, first and second lateral closing walls hinged thereto and facing upstream and downstream, respectively, an upper closing wall hinged to the second lateral closing wall and facing downstream, a third and a fourth lateral closing wall hinged and partly raised with respect to the first portion and projecting from sides of the conveyor. An article rests on the first portion, with four flanks or the article respectively facing the four lateral closing walls of the blank. At a first folding zone the third and fourth lateral closing walls are folded to cover the third and the fourth flanks of the article, and at a second folding zone the second lateral closing wall and the upper closing wall are folded to cover the article's second flank and its upper face.

A unit for boxing packaged food products including a rotary element with at least one first seat for receiving a blank; a first transfer station for transferring the blank from a magazine for feeding blanks to a folding mould; a folding station for opening up, at least partly, the blank; a second transfer station for transferring the blank folded open from mould to the first receiving seat; an insertion station for inserting the packaged food products inside the blank folded open positioned on the first receiving seat; a closing station for closing the blank folded open, positioned on the second receiving seat and containing the packaged food products.

A unit for boxing packaged food products including: a first rotary element with at least one first receiving seat; a first transfer station for transferring a blank from a magazine for feeding blanks to the first receiving seat; a folding station for opening up the blank; a second rotary element with at least one second receiving seat; a second transfer station for transferring the blank folded open from the first receiving seat to the second receiving seat; an insertion station for inserting the packaged food products inside the blank folded open positioned on the second receiving seat; and a closing station for closing the blank folded open, positioned on the second receiving seat and containing the packaged food products.

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.