A device supports first and second flaps on a box traveling on a conveyor, the conveyor traveling at a speed in a direction. The device includes a cam track having a selected profile. The device includes a drive mechanism, wherein at least a portion of the drive mechanism travels proximate the cam track in the direction at substantially the speed of the conveyor. First and second mounting blocks are pivotally attached to the drive mechanism, including first and second cam followers for engaging the cam track; first and second fingers; and first and second hooks attached to the first and second fingers and configured to engage and hold the first and second flaps on the box. Relative positions of the first and second fingers with respect to the box change as the drive mechanism travels along the cam track.

A foldable container and method of storing adhesive in which a single strip of adhesive material is attached to a single release liner featured on a side surface or a flap of the foldable container. The strips of adhesive material can be peeled off a surface of the container and applied to and used to seal the top and bottom surfaces of the container as needed. The container features one or more release liner(s) each with a single strip of adhesive material attached only to the release liner and not a surface of the container itself.

A foldable container and method of storing adhesive in which a single strip of adhesive material is attached to a single release liner featured on a side surface or a flap of the foldable container. The strips of adhesive material can be peeled off a surface of the container and applied to and used to seal the top and bottom surfaces of the container as needed. The container features one or more release liner(s) each with a single strip of adhesive material attached only to the release liner and not a surface of the container itself.

A method and a packaging machine for packaging objects in a stiff package, for example in a carton box or in a box, the stiff package comprising a right flap, a left flap, an upper flap and a lower flap. After folding the right, left, and lower flaps in closed position, the upper flap is kept in a semi-closed position so as to only partially overlap the closed lower flap. Glue is then applied to the closed lower flap or semi-closed upper flap. After applying the glue, the upper flap is brought in closed position so that it is fixed to the lower flap. The application of the glue to the lower flap in closed position or to the upper flap in semi-closed position allows adjusting the squaring of the package immediately before bringing the upper flap from the semi-closed position to the closed position, i.e., immediately before fixing the flaps and closing the package.

An apparatus for packaging of loose product includes a loading station, a box forming station and an uploading station. The loading station includes moveable chutes in spaced apart relation. Each chute has an open top, an open upstream end, and an open downstream end. The open top is configured to receive loose product while moving along a first feed path. The box forming station is operable to partially erect boxes in spaced apart relation with first and second open sides and align the first open side of each box with the downstream end of a corresponding chute while moving along a second feed path. The unloading station includes a stationary vacuum head in communication with the second open side of each box. The vacuum head provides a continuous vacuum source along the second feed path operable to move loose product from the chute into the boxes.

An apparatus for packaging of loose product includes a loading station, a box forming station and an uploading station. The loading station includes moveable chutes in spaced apart relation. Each chute has an open top, an open upstream end, and an open downstream end. The open top is configured to receive loose product while moving along a first feed path. The box forming station is operable to partially erect boxes in spaced apart relation with first and second open sides and align the first open side of each box with the downstream end of a corresponding chute while moving along a second feed path. The unloading station includes a stationary vacuum head in communication with the second open side of each box. The vacuum head provides a continuous vacuum source along the second feed path operable to move loose product from the chute into the boxes.

A system for closing a shipping container that has a rectangular bottom wall, upstanding side walls extending from the periphery of the bottom wall, and an open top end, includes a sled capable of moving the container between a first station and a second station spaced from the first station, and a flap-folding assembly movable with the sled. The flap-folding assembly is configured to inwardly fold flaps of the container while the sled moves the container between the first station and the second station.

A system for closing a shipping container that has a rectangular bottom wall, upstanding side walls extending from the periphery of the bottom wall, and an open top end, includes a sled capable of moving the container between a first station and a second station spaced from the first station, and a flap-folding assembly movable with the sled. The flap-folding assembly is configured to inwardly fold flaps of the container while the sled moves the container between the first station and the second station.

The present invention provides a packaging apparatus for in-line packaging wrapping of a foldable blank around a receiving load that is simultaneously dropped onto the loading space of the foldable blank. The packaging apparatus includes a support means adapted to receive a supply of one or more foldable blanks. The support means includes a support frame supported onto two or more parallel longitudinal rails positioned generally transversal to a direction of supply of foldable blanks. The apparatus further includes an article loading mechanism to load a group of articles onto a loading space defined onto the foldable blank received onto the support means. The apparatus furthermore includes an erecting mechanism having a plurality of generally spaced apart vertical lugs, positioned onto one or more sides of the support frame, and at a height lower than the height of longitudinal rails such that a vertically upward movement of the lugs engages and erects at least one side of the foldable blank around the articles already loaded onto the foldable blank.

A packaging system for the selection, grouping and loading of varying size and/or configuration product packs into cartons as provided. The packaging system includes a selection area having a primary selector for forming an initial product pack configuration, and a secondary selector adapted to select and direct an additional grouping of products into a nested arrangement against the initial product pack so as to form a nested product pack. The nested product packs thereafter can be engaged by loader arms of a pair of opposed loading assemblies, which move the nested product packs into a series of cartons moving through the packaging machine. Thereafter, the ends of the cartons can be closed and sealed to complete the packaging of the product packs therein.