A system for packaging mass-customized items includes a computer system including a database containing item identification information unique to each item; (2) outer container identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each outer container in a plurality of outer containers; (3) inner pack identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each inner pack in a plurality of inner packs; and (4) inner pack filling apparatus that fills each inner pack with a specific item matched to that inner pack by the item identification information received from the database. Each item is associated with its unique item identification information and is inserted into an inner pack with matching item identification information, and each outer container is presented for loading with one or more inner packs matched to that outer container by the item identification information received from the database.

A method of loading articles in cartons. The method can comprise moving a carton in a generally flat configuration in a downstream direction with a carton opening carousel, at least partially opening the carton while moving the carton with the carton opening carousel, and transferring the carton from the carton opening carousel to a carton loading carousel in a transfer region. The transferring the carton can comprise moving the carton in an upstream direction. The method further can comprise loading a plurality of articles into the carton while moving the carton in a downstream direction with the carton loading carousel.

A method of loading articles in cartons. The method can comprise moving a carton in a generally flat configuration in a downstream direction with a carton opening carousel, at least partially opening the carton while moving the carton with the carton opening carousel, and transferring the carton from the carton opening carousel to a carton loading carousel in a transfer region. The transferring the carton can comprise moving the carton in an upstream direction. The method further can comprise loading a plurality of articles into the carton while moving the carton in a downstream direction with the carton loading carousel.

A device and a method for filling bags with products, wherein the bags have an opening via which the bags are each filled with at least one product, wherein walls of the bag are spaced apart from one another in the region of the opening in order to introduce the at least one product into the bag via the opening, and wherein, after the walls are spaced apart and before the at least one product is supplied, holding elements are introduced into the bag through the opening in order to hold the open bag in the region of the opening. At least some holding elements have at least one shaping element against which a wall of the bag bears in each case such that the material of the wall is preferably plastically deformed in order to hold the wall on the respective holding element via the respective shaping element.

A system for packaging mass-customized items includes a computer system including a database containing item identification information unique to each item; (2) outer container identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each outer container in a plurality of outer containers; (3) inner pack identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each inner pack in a plurality of inner packs; and (4) inner pack filling apparatus that fills each inner pack with a specific item matched to that inner pack by the item identification information received from the database. Each item is associated with its unique item identification information and is inserted into an inner pack with matching item identification information, and each outer container is presented for loading with one or more inner packs matched to that outer container by the item identification information received from the database.

A system for packaging mass-customized items includes a computer system including a database containing item identification information unique to each item; (2) outer container identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each outer container in a plurality of outer containers; (3) inner pack identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each inner pack in a plurality of inner packs; and (4) inner pack filling apparatus that fills each inner pack with a specific item matched to that inner pack by the item identification information received from the database. Each item is associated with its unique item identification information and is inserted into an inner pack with matching item identification information, and each outer container is presented for loading with one or more inner packs matched to that outer container by the item identification information received from the database.

A method of loading articles in cartons. The method can comprise moving a carton in a generally flat configuration in a downstream direction with a carton opening carousel, at least partially opening the carton while moving the carton with the carton opening carousel, and transferring the carton from the carton opening carousel to a carton loading carousel in a transfer region. The transferring the carton can comprise moving the carton in an upstream direction. The method further can comprise loading a plurality of articles into the carton while moving the carton in a downstream direction with the carton loading carousel.

A method of loading articles in cartons. The method can comprise moving a carton in a generally flat configuration in a downstream direction with a carton opening carousel, at least partially opening the carton while moving the carton with the carton opening carousel, and transferring the carton from the carton opening carousel to a carton loading carousel in a transfer region. The transferring the carton can comprise moving the carton in an upstream direction. The method further can comprise loading a plurality of articles into the carton while moving the carton in a downstream direction with the carton loading carousel.

A packaging box including a base portion defining a first plane is disclosed. The packaging box includes at least one first side wall portion. The at least one first side wall portion is arranged at an angle to the base portion. The first side wall portion is joined to the base portion via a fold line at a first edge of the base portion. The first side wall portion has an extension portion extending from one side of the side wall portion so as to provide at least part of a second side wall portion arranged at an angle to the base portion and at an angle to the first side wall portion. The second side wall portion includes at least part of the extension portion. A connecting portion of the extension portion connecting the first side wall portion to the second side wall portion is smoothly curved.

An opening arm has a thickness smaller than a clearance between a pair of flaps that are formed adjacent to each other in one plate-like portion of a pair of plate-like portions of a cardboard sheet folded like a plate. The pair of plate-like portions face each other. A moving portion moves the opening arm. In a state where the opening arm is inserted in the clearance G1 between the pair of flaps, the opening arm faces a flap that is formed in another plate-like portion of the pair of plate-like portions and that is located at a position that faces the clearance. The moving portion moves the opening arm such that the opening arm pushes the flap formed in the other plate-like portion, and that the other plate-like portion is separated from the one plate-like portion.