An automatic packing machine and automatic packing method for express delivery are provided. The automatic packing machine for express delivery includes: a frame; a box discharging mechanism, fixed to the frame; a weighing mechanism, fixed to the frame, the weighing mechanism including a weighing plate and a weighing plate steering engine which are arranged in coordination and an image collecting module, the weighing plate steering engine and the image collecting module being fixed to the frame, and the image collecting module facing the weighing plate; a box body unfolding mechanism; a box closing mechanism; a conveying mechanism; and a controller, connected to all other structures of the automatic packing machine for express delivery. Through the technical solutions of the present invention, multiple functions are integrated, the degree of automation is high, and different items are packaged by using different box bodies.

A tray sleeving system includes a robotic arm, an end-of-arm tool operably connected to the robotic arm and configured to selectively hold a sleeve blank, a conveyor system having a first sidewall proximate the robotic arm and a second sidewall distal from the robotic arm and separated from the first sidewall by a conveyor, a processor, and a memory. The memory stores instructions for execution by the processor that, when executed, cause the processor to cause the robotic arm to retrieve a sleeve blank with the end-of-arm tool; cause the robotic arm to push the sleeve blank against the second sidewall so as to cause the sleeve blank to transition from a flattened state to an open state; and cause the robotic arm to release the sleeve blank into a loading position on the conveyor.

Methods and apparatus for forming containers from container blanks are provided. An apparatus comprises a blank holding apparatus operable to releasably hold a plurality of carton blanks in a first configuration. The apparatus also has a rotary apparatus operable to rotate an engagement device along a rotational path from a first retrieval location where the engagement device is operable to engage with and retrieve a blank from the plurality of blanks held in the blank holding apparatus, to a second operational location. The apparatus also has a movement apparatus inter-connected to the rotary apparatus. The movement apparatus is operable to move the rotary apparatus and the engagement device with the engaged blank away from the blank holding apparatus, which may be translational movement away from the blank holding apparatus.

An integrated carton and container which includes a collapsible container and a plurality of cartons. The carton or cartons can be filled with a product or products while the carton or cartons remain integrated with the container. The carton and container are integrated in such a way that when the container is expanded into an open position, the carton or cartons correspondingly expand into an open position. The integrated carton and container may be integrated in such a way that the integrated carton and container may be filled with a product and closed on a single apparatus.

A box packing device includes a first arm, a first hand, and a controller. The first hand includes a hand base, a gripping mechanism at the hand base and including a gripper to grip an upper-end of a flap of a large box, and a holding mechanism at the hand base and including a holder to hold an inner box. The controller controls the operation of the first arm and the first hand so as to perform a developing operation in which the gripping part of the gripping mechanism moves in a horizontal plane so as to develop the large box while gripping the upper-end part of the flap part of the large box in a folded state, and an accommodating operation in which the holder of the holding mechanism accommodates the inner box into the developed large box while holding the inner box.

A packaging machine comprising a machine frame, at least one work station attached to the machine frame, and a transport device with a transfer unit for feeding trays to the work station, wherein the transfer unit comprises a suction plate for transporting trays in a predetermined transport plane. The suction plate may comprises at least one reception mold which is formed at least in part having the shape of an inner contour of an upper opening region of a tray facing it, provided to the reception mold for reception and transport, so that the reception mold during transport in the transport plane of the tray is arranged in a positive-fit manner in its upper opening region and aligns the tray in the transport plane in a predetermined position on the suction plate. The invention also relates to a method for supplying trays to a work station of a packaging machine.

Methods and apparatus for forming containers from container blanks are provided. An apparatus comprises a blank holding apparatus operable to releasably hold a plurality of carton blanks in a first configuration. The apparatus also has a rotary apparatus operable to rotate an engagement device along a rotational path from a first retrieval location where the engagement device is operable to engage with and retrieve a blank from the plurality of blanks held in the blank holding apparatus, to a second operational location. The apparatus also has a movement apparatus inter-connected to the rotary apparatus. The movement apparatus is operable to move the rotary apparatus and the engagement device with the engaged blank away from the blank holding apparatus, which may be translational movement away from the blank holding apparatus.

A gripper having jaws (11,12) is transported from a first position (FIG. 2) in which it grips a case blank (1) in a flat, folded condition to a second position (FIG. 4) in which the case (8) is erected. Gripping devices (13) on the jaws (11,12) are aligned with one another when the gripper is in its first position. The gripping devices (13) on the jaws (11,12) are oriented at right angles to one another when the gripper is in its second position. Mutual rotation is effected between the jaws (11,12) as the gripper is moved from its first to its second position, in order to unfold a case blank (1) gripped by the gripper jaws (11,12).

A lid forming device of a cardboard box using a first flap with a slit and a second flap to be extended after being bent into a mountain shape is disclosed. The lid forming device includes first and second folding mechanisms. The fist folding mechanism folds the first flap in a direction of closing the opening. The second folding mechanism bends the second flap into a mountain shape and inserts part of the second flap into the slit of the first flap while extending the second flap. The second folding mechanism includes first and second retaining units. The first retaining unit retains a first face of the second flap located between a free end of the second flap and a bend line set beforehand in the second flap. The second retaining unit retains a second face of the second flap located between an anchored end and the bend line.

A plant for automated packaging of items in cardboard boxes includes a forming station of open sheet boxes starting from a cardboard web, an item introduction system, a box closing station, and a feeding system. A cutting and creasing system at the forming station produces a longitudinal elongate element defining the bottom and top walls and a first pair of side walls of the box, and transverse panels providing the second pair of side walls. A first gluing system bonds the transverse panels to the elongate element by applying hot-melt strips on the side edges of the elongate element, and a pair of suction-cup manipulators applies the transverse panels on the elongate element at the glue strips to obtain a cross-shaped blank. The closing station includes a folding and automatic gluing system that folds and bonds the side walls and the top wall of the box to produce finished packages.