A carton forming machine includes a carton blank push up device that receives a substantially horizontal folded carton blank and reorients the folded carton blank from the substantially horizontal orientation to an upright orientation below and in a first direction alignment with a carton opening mechanism. A carton blank positioning apparatus shifts the upright folded carton blank in a second direction, transverse to the first direction, below the carton opening mechanism to define a second direction position of the upright carton blank below the carton opening mechanism before the carton opening mechanism engages the upright carton blank for opening of the upright carton blank.

A method for erecting a box includes positioning an unerected box in an automated erecting apparatus. The method further includes bending major and minor flaps on the unerected box relative to sides of the unerected box. The method further includes, while the major and minor flaps are bent relative to the sides of the unerected box, performing an automated opening operation on the unerected box, wherein the unerected box comprises a stacking fold.

A box includes a plurality of side panels formed around an interior space. A pair of opposed outer flaps is foldably connected to two of the respective side panels, wherein the outer flaps are secured in a closed position to enclose one side of the box. A pair of opposed inner flaps are included, wherein the outer flaps overlie the inner flaps. A first one of the side panels of the box includes a pair of guide holes each configured to receive a respective opening guide for opening the outer flaps.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier, and a blank (810) for forming the article carrier. An aspect of the invention provides an article carrier comprising a plurality of primary panels (812,814,816) at least partially extending around an interior of the article carrier. The plurality of primary panels comprises a first side panel (812), a top panel (814), a second side pane (816)1 and at least one bottom panel joined together to form a tubular structure having first and second opposed open ends. The article carrier comprises a carrying handle (H) including a handle feature defined in at least the top panel and foldable handle structure (HS) having opposed connecting panels and a handle strap. The handle strap extends (882) between the connecting panels.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton, and a blank for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a carton comprising a plurality of panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first panel and a second panel hingedly connected to the first panel. An end closure panel is hingedly connected to the first panel. A foldable gusset is disposed in the interior of the carton. The gusset hingedly connecting between the end closure panel and the second panel. A gusset opening is defined, at least, in panels forming the gusset. The carton comprises an opening feature which is at least partially removable from the carton. The opening feature is defined at least in part by first and second tear lines each extending from the gusset opening.

The disclosure describes techniques for erecting cases, and particularly example structures and example methods for use in a case erecting system using a robotic arm. A tool for use in robotic case erecting may be used in conjunction with a robotic arm. Use of the tool assists in keeping a case level as the case moves along a conveyor, where a plow closes the major flaps and a tape head tapes edges of the flaps together, thereby sealing the bottom of the case. The tool also assists in regulating the gap between the major flaps, so that the gap and/or any overlap of the flaps is minimized. Accordingly, the tool assists the robotic arm to close the case in a more precise manner.

An apparatus for use in the packaging industry comprises a first member for collecting a tubular box in a flattened configuration from a store positions the tubular box in a lowered position, retaining the box with first suction means at a first wall of the box. A second member, a third member and a fourth member are provided for movement of a fifth member which, when activated in rotation, abuts and retains, via second suction means a second wall of the tubular box, causing it to rotate with respect to the first wall, to open out the tubular box. A sixth member is included, with third suction means which is moved by a system to abut and retain the box in the opened-out configuration and transfer it, following the disengagement of the first member and of the fifth member, at a receiving station.

In one aspect, there is provided a combination for use in readying a cutting cylinder is rotatably mounted to a frame in a box-forming production line. The cutting cylinder has a cylinder reference indicium. The combination includes a transfer member with a transfer member reference indicium thereon, a cutting member that includes a base and a cutting blade, and a connector structure that is configured to releasably mount the cutting member to the transfer member. The cutting member is movable to a selected distance along the first axis from the transfer member reference indicium. The connector structure includes a locking structure positionable in an unlocking position for separating the cutting member and the transfer member, and a locking position to lock the connector structure to the transfer member, so as to hold the cutting member at the selected distance from the transfer member reference indicium.

A continuous case blank delivery system, its function and use are provided. The main components of the system include a staging area, an elevator area, a safety door positioned therebetween, and a carriage movable therebetween when the safety door is in the open position. The elevator has a right side wall a left side wall and an elevator platform. The platform is vertically moveable between a lowered position and a predetermined height. In the lowered position the elevator platform is below the height of the carriage. The walls each define a plurality of support finger housings, each of which contain an extendable support finger. When the elevator platform is in the lowered position each support finger is retracted and contained entirely within its housing. When the elevator reaches a predetermined height each support finger is extended.

An interlocking container formed from one piece of material, comprising, a base panel having a first, second, third, and forth edge; a first side foldably connected along a first edge to the first edge of the base panel, a second side foldably connected along a first edge to the second edge of the base panel, a third side is foldably connected along a first edge to the third edge of the base panel, a fourth side is foldably connected along the a edge to the fourth edge of the base panel, wherein when folded a container with interlocking tabs is formed.