A box forming apparatus includes first holders configured to hold a first side surface of a cardboard sheet, second holders configured to hold a second side surface of the cardboard sheet, an arm, a first mover, and a second mover. The arm has a support that supports the first and the second holders. The first mover changes a position of the first holders relative to the second holders while the arm is being rotated to open the cardboard sheet. The second mover moves the arm in association with opening of the cardboard sheet so that, when the cardboard sheet has been opened, the second mover will have moved the support a predetermined distance in a second direction opposite a first direction, which is a direction heading from a rotational center of the arm to a distal end of the arm.

A box forming apparatus includes first holders configured to hold a first side surface of a cardboard sheet, second holders configured to hold a second side surface of the cardboard sheet, an arm, a first mover, and a second mover. The arm has a support that supports the first and the second holders. The first mover changes a position of the first holders relative to the second holders while the arm is being rotated to open the cardboard sheet. The second mover moves the arm in association with opening of the cardboard sheet so that, when the cardboard sheet has been opened, the second mover will have moved the support a predetermined distance in a second direction opposite a first direction, which is a direction heading from a rotational center of the arm to a distal end of the arm.

Apparatus and methods for assembling thermally insulated containers are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus for inserting a first insulating liner panel and a second insulating liner panel into a rectangular box to form a thermally insulated container includes a first station with a flap opening assembly, a second station with a first liner panel insertion assembly for inserting a first liner panel within the box, and a third station with a second liner panel insertion assembly for inserting a second liner panel within the box. A box transfer system is configured to transfer the box between the first station, the second station, and the third station. A flap guide system maintains the at least two of the lid flaps of the box in the open configuration as the box is transferred from the first station to the third station.

Apparatus and methods for assembling thermally insulated containers are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus for inserting a first insulating liner panel and a second insulating liner panel into a rectangular box to form a thermally insulated container includes a first station with a flap opening assembly, a second station with a first liner panel insertion assembly for inserting a first liner panel within the box, and a third station with a second liner panel insertion assembly for inserting a second liner panel within the box. A box transfer system is configured to transfer the box between the first station, the second station, and the third station. A flap guide system maintains the at least two of the lid flaps of the box in the open configuration as the box is transferred from the first station to the third station.

The invention relates to a method for producing a packaging and a system for such. The method includes the following steps: providing a precut blank (1) consisting of a foldable material having a bottom (3) and hinged to it, lateral panels (4), a rear panel (6) and a front panel (5), fastening of an unstressed elastic element (15) to the front panel (5) or to connecting flaps (7) that are hinged to the front panel (5), erecting the lateral panels (4), the rear panel (6) and the front panel (5) out of a flat transport condition into an unfolded usable condition and connecting the lateral walls (4) with the rear panel (6) and the front panel (5) and tensioning the elastic element (15).

A method of at least partially erecting a carton with a carton forming system includes loading a blank in a blank infeed assembly, the blank having a plurality of panels and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The method further includes positioning the blank on at least one conveyor assembly, operating the at least one conveyor assembly to move the blank in a downstream direction of the system toward a carton erection assembly, the carton erection assembly including an end flap engagement assembly positioned adjacent the at least one conveyor assembly, and rotating the end flap engagement assembly such that a portion of the end flap engagement assembly contacts and moves at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps of the blank as the blank moves in the downstream direction.

A box-opening device is disclosed. The box-opening device includes a first holding part that holds a first surface and a second holding part that holds a second surface. The first surface is one of two adjacent surfaces of a folded corrugated cardboard sheet, and the second surface is the other of the two adjacent surfaces of the corrugated cardboard sheet. The box-opening device also includes a first holding part movement mechanism which changes a position of the first holding part with respect to the second holding part and thereby transforms the corrugated cardboard sheet into an opened state. The first holding part movement mechanism has a support member that supports the first holding part so that the part rotates on an arc track about a central axis of rotation that overlaps an imaginary line extending along a boundary line between the first surface and the second surface.

A box-opening device is disclosed. The box-opening device includes a first holding part that holds a first surface and a second holding part that holds a second surface. The first surface is one of two adjacent surfaces of a folded corrugated cardboard sheet, and the second surface is the other of the two adjacent surfaces of the corrugated cardboard sheet. The box-opening device also includes a first holding part movement mechanism which changes a position of the first holding part with respect to the second holding part and thereby transforms the corrugated cardboard sheet into an opened state. The first holding part movement mechanism has a support member that supports the first holding part so that the part rotates on an arc track about a central axis of rotation that overlaps an imaginary line extending along a boundary line between the first surface and the second surface.

A method for erecting a box includes positioning an unerected box in an automated erecting apparatus. The method further includes bending major and minor flaps on the unerected box relative to sides of the unerected box. The method further includes, while the major and minor flaps are bent relative to the sides of the unerected box, performing an automated opening operation on the unerected box, wherein the unerected box comprises a stacking fold.

A method for erecting a box includes positioning an unerected box in an automated erecting apparatus. The method further includes bending major and minor flaps on the unerected box relative to sides of the unerected box. The method further includes, while the major and minor flaps are bent relative to the sides of the unerected box, performing an automated opening operation on the unerected box, wherein the unerected box comprises a stacking fold.