A packaging unit of articles in boxes includes a mandrel, a movement device, a feeding device, a folding device, and a first retaining device. The mandrel is configured to accommodate at least one of the articles therein. The movement device is configured to move the mandrel along a movement trajectory. The feeding device is configured to feed at least one blank towards the mandrel. The folding device is configured to cooperate with the mandrel to fold at least one panel of the blank being wound around the mandrel, and to form one of the boxes. The first retaining device is movably guided parallel to the movement trajectory and is configured to cooperate with the mandrel, along a section of the movement trajectory, retaining the at least one panel of the blank, wound on the mandrel, against an abutment surface of the mandrel extended parallel to the movement trajectory. A packaging method of articles into boxes by means of such a unit is also described.

A packaging unit for packaging (100; 200; 300) articles (1) in boxes (2), comprises: a mandrel (10) for accommodating an article (1) inside it; a movement device (50) for moving said mandrel (10) along a movement trajectory (M); a feed device (30) for feeding a blank (7) towards said mandrel (10) along a feeding trajectory which intersects the movement trajectory (M); a folding device (20) mounted at the movement trajectory (M) for cooperating with said mandrel (10) to fold said blank (7) around the mandrel (10) and to form a box (2). The folding device (20) comprises a folding element (21) for abutting said blank (7) positioned between said mandrel (10) and said folding element (21), and an adjustment device for modifying the position of the folding element (21) and for adjusting the folding of the blank (7) around the mandrel (10).

A method of automating filling and packaging of flat retention inserts is conducted on an assembly line that includes three stations. A first station includes a magazine for storing a plurality of stacked flat retention inserts. A second station includes a folding mechanism configured to fold the flat retention insert into various orientations to facilitate retention of a product. A third station holds a shipping container where the flat retention insert with a product held therein may be placed for shipment. Actuators with rams are utilized to remove a flat retention insert from the magazine, convey it to the folding mechanism, facilitate insertion of a product and conveyance of the product and flat retention insert to the shipping container.

An empty box folding system according to an aspect of the present disclosure that allows easy change in the size of the box folds a box formed from a box sheet having a plurality of interconnected panels, the system comprising: a robot that has a working head that suctions the box sheet and moves the box; and a folding aid member that changes a relative angle of the panels by abutting against the box moved by the robot.

A method of automating filling and packaging of flat retention inserts is conducted on an assembly line that includes three stations. A first station includes a magazine for storing a plurality of stacked flat retention inserts. A second station includes a folding mechanism configured to fold the flat retention insert into various orientations to facilitate retention of a product. A third station holds a shipping container where the flat retention insert with a product held therein may be placed for shipment. Actuators with rams are utilized to remove a flat retention insert from the magazine, convey it to the folding mechanism, facilitate insertion of a product and conveyance of the product and flat retention insert to the shipping container.

A system is disclosed for loading cases with items comprising: an item delivery apparatus operable to deliver a plurality of items to a transfer station; a collation platform operable to support a group of items; a pedestal apparatus operable to support the group of items; a first transfer apparatus operable to transfer a plurality of items from the item delivery apparatus to the collation platform. A second transfer apparatus transfers the group of items from the collation platform to the pedestal apparatus. At least one movement rod moves the group of items. A case movement apparatus such as a six-axis robotic arm is moves an erected case in a path that sheaths a group of items located on said pedestal apparatus with an erected case. The path of the case may have a tilted position and include an arced pivoting movement.

A cartoner includes an entrance section, a loading section, an exit section, a transport system and a controller. The entrance section is configured for picking carton blanks from a magazine and folding a first side of the carton. The loading section is configured for loading a product into the first-side-folded carton. The exit section is configured for closing the loaded carton. The transport system is configured for transporting the first-side-folded carton from the entrance section to the loading section and the loaded carton from the loading section to the exit section. The controller is arranged for controlling an operation following each carton through the cartoner. The controller is further arranged for adapting, for each carton, a distance between two consecutive carriers of the transport system in dependence to a size of the first-side-folded carton and driving the two consecutive carriers maintaining the distance.

A unit and a method of packaging items into boxes. The packaging unit includes: a gripping device for gripping a blank to be folded to form a box configured to contain at least one of the articles, the blank having a panel and an end flap extended from the panel, the gripping device being configured to define a gripping position for the panel; an abutment element to abut at least partially the panel and bearing a folding edge; a pressing element to press the panel against the abutment element in proximity of the folding edge; and a folding element to fold the end flap relative to the panel about the folding edge and in direction of the abutment element when the gripping device is in the gripping position for the panel and the panel is pressed at least partially by the pressing element against the abutment element.

An empty box folding system according to an aspect of the present disclosure that allows easy change in the size of the box folds a box formed from a box sheet having a plurality of interconnected panels, the system comprising: a robot that has a working head that suctions the box sheet and moves the box; and a folding aid member that changes a relative angle of the panels by abutting against the box moved by the robot.

A packaging unit for packaging articles in boxes includes a mandrel, a movement device, a feeding device, a first abutment surface, and a retaining device. The mandrel is configured to accommodate at least one of said articles inside it. The movement device is configured to move said mandrel along a movement trajectory. The feeding device is configured to feed at least one blank along a feeding trajectory which intersects said movement trajectory towards said mandrel to form one of said boxes around said mandrel. The first abutment surface is defined on said mandrel as the surface of said mandrel intended to abut said blank when positioned in said movement trajectory. The retaining device is displaceable between an operating position in which said retaining device approaches said first abutment surface to retain said blank against said first abutment surface and a non-operating position in which said retaining device is spaced apart from said first abutment surface.