Apparatus for making a cardboard strip for packaging includes a store for a stack of cardboard sheets, a gripping mechanism for picking up a sheet from the stack and positioning another sheet on a first support for the application of adhesive, and a transfer mechanism for transferring the first sheet to rest on the second support with an end portion having the adhesive projecting towards the store and towards a third support. The third support is disposable in a raised position to raise an end portion of a second sheet coming from the store and in a lowered position to lower the end portion of the second sheet and position it at the end portion of the first sheet. A pressor presses the two superposed end portions of the two sheets to fix the end portions to one another to form a cardboard strip.

A carton blank feeding and shuttle machine includes a first driven belt supported by a first plurality of pulleys and a second driven belt supported by a second plurality of pulleys, a first rod attached to the first driven belt and a second rod attached to the second driven belt. Each of the rods extend across the first and second opposing sides. At least one controller controls motions of (a) the first driven belt and (b) the second driven belt, and a plucking head is supported by the first and second rods such that the first and second driven belts create common motion to move the plucking head along a transport path and relative motion to extend and retract the plucking head. A linkage assembly includes a plurality of links configured to move a plucking head along a shaft in response to movements of the first and second belts.

A case erector may operate in multiple modes. In a slotted-case mode, the case erector may accept and erect slotted cases, while various plunger-case erection components are deactivated. In a plunger-case mode, the case erector may accept and erect plunger cases, while various slotted-case erection components are deactivated.

The invention relates to a device (310) for holding a sheet-like element (10) during the stage of introducing it into a workstation (200, 300, 400) of a forming machine (1), such as a waste-ejection station (300), the said holding device (310) comprising a suction member (320) configured so as to partially retain each sheet (10) by its rear part during the stage when the said sheet (10) is introduced into the said workstation (200, 300, 400), characterized in that the suction member (320) has at least two motorized fans (13) with propellers (14) installed transversely at the entrance to the workstation (200, 300, 400), beneath the plane (P) along which the sheet-like elements move, the axes of rotation (A) of the propellers (14) of the fans (13) being substantially parallel to one another and perpendicular to the plane (P) along which the sheet-like elements move, the direction of rotation and the inclination of the propellers (14) being configured so as to generate a flow of air capable of applying suction to the rear of the lower face of the sheet-like element (10) during the stage in which the said sheet (10) is introduced into the said workstation (200, 300, 400).

The invention relates to a device (310) for holding a sheet-like element (10) during the stage of introducing it into a workstation (200, 300, 400) of a forming machine (1), such as a waste-ejection station (300), the said holding device (310) comprising a suction member (320) configured so as to partially retain each sheet (10) by its rear part during the stage when the said sheet (10) is introduced into the said workstation (200, 300, 400), characterized in that the suction member (320) has at least two motorized fans (13) with propellers (14) installed transversely at the entrance to the workstation (200, 300, 400), beneath the plane (P) along which the sheet-like elements move, the axes of rotation (A) of the propellers (14) of the fans (13) being substantially parallel to one another and perpendicular to the plane (P) along which the sheet-like elements move, the direction of rotation and the inclination of the propellers (14) being configured so as to generate a flow of air capable of applying suction to the rear of the lower face of the sheet-like element (10) during the stage in which the said sheet (10) is introduced into the said workstation (200, 300, 400).

An apparatus for forming a container from a blank is provided. The apparatus includes a blank feeder assembly, and a compression assembly including a mandrel assembly, an upper folding arm assembly including a plurality of folding arms moveable between a first position and a second position, a compression plate, and a rollover arm assembly.

A paperboard blank stacker assembly for supplying a stack of paperboard blanks to a container forming machine includes a stacker. The stacker has multiple blank stops arranged to hold a peripheral edge of a bottom blank of the stack of paperboard blanks, with the multiple blank stops defining an interior region. A blank carrier has at least one suction device moveable into a grasp position, where the suction device applies a suction force to the bottom blank, and a removal position, where the suction device is moved to remove the bottom blank from the stack of paperboard blanks by pulling the bottom blank through the interior region.

A fluid storage bag comprising a storage bag sealed to a collapsible quick filling and self-sealing fill tube. After partially filling the storage bag, through the fill tube, to a desired level with water or other liquid the storage bag is inverted, thereby collapsing and effectively sealing the fill tube against itself. After use, the storage bag may be re-filled, or recycled. In one example, a 4 inch wide fill tube extends at 6 inches into the storage bag, with the last 5 inches creating a funnel to a 2 inch bottom width. In other examples air or other gas may be introduced through the fill tube; and as the bag is pressurized, the fill tube collapses and seals so that the bag may serve as a flotation device, air mattress, pillow or other device.

A fluid storage bag comprising a storage bag sealed to a collapsible quick filling and self-sealing fill tube. After partially filling the storage bag, through the fill tube, to a desired level with water or other liquid the storage bag is inverted, thereby collapsing and effectively sealing the fill tube against itself. After use, the storage bag may be re-filled, or recycled. In one example, a 4 inch wide fill tube extends at 6 inches into the storage bag, with the last 5 inches creating a funnel to a 2 inch bottom width. In other examples air or other gas may be introduced through the fill tube; and as the bag is pressurized, the fill tube collapses and seals so that the bag may serve as a flotation device, air mattress, pillow or other device.

A machine a mandrel assembly includes a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of a container, a first lift mechanism operatively coupled to a first servomechanism to wrap a first portion of a blank about the mandrel, a second lift mechanism operatively coupled to a second servomechanism to wrap a second portion of the blank about the mandrel, and a folding arm coupled to the first lift mechanism and operatively coupled to a third servomechanism. A control system is in communication with the first servomechanism, the second servomechanism, and the third servomechanism and is configured to transmit a signal to each of the servomechanisms to independently control movement of the first lift mechanism, the second lift mechanism, and the folding arm to wrap at least the first and second portions of the blank about the mandrel to form the container.