A box packing apparatus supports a box with a sideways facing opening while at a loading location. After loading the box is moved from the loading location. The box packing apparatus includes a supporting and moving component, arms, and a feed mechanism. The supporting and moving component supports the cardboard box in the loading location and moves the cardboard box after loading in the loading location. The arms temporarily support the cardboard box as it is delivered to the loading location with the opening thereof facing sideways, while the supporting and moving component moves the cardboard box. The feed mechanism feeds the articles into the cardboard box through the opening while the box is supported by the arms.

A box packing apparatus is equipped with a first conveyor, a parallel link robot, and a flap folding mechanism. The first conveyor conveys an article. The parallel link robot takes hold of the article on the first conveyor and carries it into a cardboard box that has an upper opening. The flap folding mechanism folds open to the outside of the upper opening at least one of plural cover flaps of the cardboard box that are located around the upper opening.

According to the invention, the device comprises at least one flap spreading head (12a, 12b), the flap spreading head being vertically mobile for insertion thereof into a container (3) to be processed and including first and second flap spreading blades (121.sub.1, 121.sub.2) mounted on pivots and an actuator (122.sub.1, 122.sub.2). The actuator is adapted to command rotation of the flap spreading blades that on rotating come into contact with flaps (R1a, R1b) and bring about spreading thereof by folds toward the exterior of the container.

According to the invention, the device comprises at least one flap spreading head (12a, 12b), the flap spreading head being vertically mobile for insertion thereof into a container (3) to be processed and including first and second flap spreading blades (121.sub.1, 121.sub.2) mounted on pivots and an actuator (122.sub.1, 122.sub.2). The actuator is adapted to command rotation of the flap spreading blades that on rotating come into contact with flaps (R1a, R1b) and bring about spreading thereof by folds toward the exterior of the container.

A bi-directional carton opening system for opening cartons in left hand or right hand configuration. The system utilizes apparatus having a Y axis rail with a first X axis rail fixedly mounted thereto and a second X axis rail mounted moveably thereto. A carton is gripped by a carrier on the first X axis rail and a carrier on the second X axis rail. The carrier on one of the X axis rails is moved along the respective X axis rail while the carrier on the other X axis rail is held in place and the moveable X axis rail is moved along the Y axis to open the carton to a rectangular tubular shape.

A bi-directional carton opening system for opening cartons in left hand or right hand configuration. The system utilizes apparatus having a Y axis rail with a first X axis rail fixedly mounted thereto and a second X axis rail mounted moveably thereto. A carton is gripped by a carrier on the first X axis rail and a carrier on the second X axis rail. The carrier on one of the X axis rails is moved along the respective X axis rail while the carrier on the other X axis rail is held in place and the moveable X axis rail is moved along the Y axis to open the carton to a rectangular tubular shape.

An automatic system is described, for orienting longitudinal flappers (FL) and transverse flappers (FT) of boxes (S), comprising: a first station for orienting the longitudinal flappers (FL) of the box (S), equipped with first handling means; a third station for orienting the transverse flappers (FT), equipped with third handling means and with a second longitudinal side abutment guide; a second station for transferring the box (S) from the first station to the third station, equipped with first longitudinal side abutment guides; and a transport plane adapted to move the box (S) from the first station to the third station through the second station.

An ammunition packing apparatus comprises an ammunition feeder receiving ammunition cartons and horizontally arranging the ammunition cartons in a left or right direction, an ammunition vertical conveyor vertically conveying the ammunition cartons to an ammunition horizontal conveyor, the ammunition horizontal conveyor advancing the ammunition cartons to an ammunition inserter, an ammunition pouch mounter placing and fastening empty ammunition pouches in a flat and stretched position, an ammunition pouch opener opening mouths of the ammunition pouches, and the ammunition inserter advancing and inserting the ammunition cartons into the ammunition pouches, wherein the ammunition inserter includes spade-shaped inserting blades surrounding left and right surfaces and bottom surfaces of the ammunition cartons to allow the ammunition cartons to be inserted without being stuck to rims of the ammunition pouches and ammunition return preventers preventing the ammunition cartons from moving back when the ammunition inserting blades return after advancing and inserting the ammunition cartons.

In one example of a vertical load case packer, guide rods provide horizontal adjustment of a tipping conveyor assembly to position the tipping conveyor assembly at a desired distance from the at least one bucket assembly. In operation, an indexing assembly advances case(s) into the tipping conveyor assembly. Side belts in the tipping conveyor assembly move and grip the case(s). A pivot rotates the tipping conveyor from a position wherein an open end of a case is oriented upwardly to a position wherein the open end is oriented horizontally to receive the product. Each bucket assembly receives product and delivers it to a case. A sliding bottom plate in the bucket assembly supports horizontally loaded product and advances the product into a case. A pusher plate prevents product from withdrawing from the case as the sliding bottom plate is withdrawn and further inserts the product into the case if needed.

In one example of a vertical load case packer, guide rods provide horizontal adjustment of a tipping conveyor assembly to position the tipping conveyor assembly at a desired distance from the at least one bucket assembly. In operation, an indexing assembly advances case(s) into the tipping conveyor assembly. Side belts in the tipping conveyor assembly move and grip the case(s). A pivot rotates the tipping conveyor from a position wherein an open end of a case is oriented upwardly to a position wherein the open end is oriented horizontally to receive the product. Each bucket assembly receives product and delivers it to a case. A sliding bottom plate in the bucket assembly supports horizontally loaded product and advances the product into a case. A pusher plate prevents product from withdrawing from the case as the sliding bottom plate is withdrawn and further inserts the product into the case if needed.