Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, method of packaging, apparatus, handle structure, an article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, and to a blank for forming the handle structure or article carrier. The packaging system provides an apparatus for applying the handle structure or article carrier to one or more articles. The apparatus provides a component adapted to engage the blank and form the handle structure or article carrier so as to displace a first side of the handle structure or article carrier, disposed on a first side of an article retention structure to a greater extent than a second side of the handle structure or article carrier, disposed on a second, opposing, side of an article retention structure.

A slide block-based positioning mechanism and an automatic tie tool having the same. The slide block-based positioning mechanism includes a slide block and a guide rail. The slide block fits the guide rail. The guide rail limits five degrees of freedom of the slide block. The slide block slides in a length direction of the guide rail. A head portion of a tie is arranged at a predetermined position at the slide block. The slide block pushes the tie from the predetermined position to a tie installation position.

The operation handle includes a link portion engaged with the main handle on one side as viewed from the rotation fulcrum and a lever operation portion on the other side as viewed from the rotation fulcrum. The clincher arm is configured to rotate in a closing direction with respect to the main handle when the lever operation portion and the main handle are gripped. The binding machine for gardening further comprises a cover member configured to cover the link portion.

A tool for tensioning, cutting and/or punching a band of a band-type clamp, a band and buckle attachment, and a band punch attachment are provided. The tool includes a nose piece to receive a tail of the band and a lever pivotably secured to the nose piece. The band and buckle attachment includes a main body having a band guide slot and a blade guide intersecting the band guide slot. A blade is movably positioned in the blade guide. A blade biasing element is positioned between the blade and the main body. The band punch attachment includes a main body having a band guide slot and a punch mechanism rotatably mounted on the main body. The punch mechanism includes a punch guide having a passageway and a punch tool movably positioned in the punch guide. A spring is positioned in the passageway urging the punch tool in a predetermined direction.

An apparatus includes a platform having an upper surface configured to support a napkin overlying the upper surface, and also having a cavity recessed from the upper surface. Means are provided for applying vacuum pressure in the slot to draw a napkin downward from the upper surface into the cavity, and for rolling the napkin in the cavity.

A strapping machine includes a driver, first and second power output units, and a switching unit. The first power output unit includes a first drive shaft being co-rotatable with a main shaft of the driver only when the main shaft rotates in a first rotational direction via a first one-way bearing for driving the switching unit, and for clamping, hot-melting and cutting a strap. The second power output unit includes a second drive shaft being co-rotatable with the main shaft only when the main shaft rotates in a second rotational direction via a second one-way bearing, and a plurality of output gear trains being engagable with the second drive shaft via the switching unit for feeding, retracting and tensioning the strap.

A strap feeding device includes first driving and driven rollers, second driving and driven rollers, an actuating unit, and a detecting unit. The actuating unit can move the second driving roller between a released position, where the second driven roller is spaced apart from the second driving roller, and a contact, where the second driven roller contacts the second driving roller and is co-rotatable with the second driving roller to clamp and move a strap. The control device controls rotation of the first and second driving rollers to feed and return the strap, detects rotation of the first driven roller, and controls the actuating unit to move the second driven roller to the contact and released positions.

A tool for tensioning, cutting and/or punching a band of a band-type clamp, a band and buckle attachment, and a band punch attachment are provided. The tool includes a nose piece to receive a tail of the band and a lever pivotably secured to the nose piece. The band and buckle attachment includes a main body having a band guide slot and a blade guide intersecting the band guide slot. A blade is movably positioned in the blade guide. A blade biasing element is positioned between the blade and the main body. The band punch attachment includes a main body having a band guide slot and a punch mechanism rotatably mounted on the main body. The punch mechanism includes a punch guide having a passageway and a punch tool movably positioned in the punch guide. A spring is positioned in the passageway urging the punch tool in a predetermined direction.

A strapping device includes a handle, a body, and an actuator. The handle includes an input device and a switch, the input device spaced from the switch by a biasing element that applies a bias force to the input device. The input device moves from a first state spaced from the switch to a second state contacting the switch responsive to receiving a force greater than the bias force. A circuit of the switch is closed responsive to the input device moving from the first state to the second state. The switch outputs an actuation signal responsive to the circuit being closed. The body includes a tensioner and a base including a strap receiver opposite the tensioner. The actuator moves the tensioner from a first tensioner position to a second tensioner position further from the strap receiver based on a movement force greater than the bias force.

A wire release mechanism for securing an end of a wire during a wire tying cycle is provided. The wire release mechanism may secure a first end of a wire around a bale of recycled material during knotting of the wire. The wire release mechanism may include a wire release portion having an engaging surface and the wire release portion may be movable between an open and closed position. The wire release mechanism may further include a gripping arm movable between a first position and a second position and having a retractable surface. The engaging surface may disengage the wire based on movement from the closed position to the open position. Further, the retractable surface may engage against the first end of the wire based on movement from the first position to the second position.