The present invention provides an automated case handling system and method. The automated case handling system can determine the existence of a proper seal on a case, the location of a label or other criteria or place a label or other information on a case. It can be a self-contained unit that can be easily inserted into an existing case handling line. To facilitate easy installation, the disclosed embodiment is powered by electricity and can be configured to plug into a single power source. The automated case handling system has a control unit for controlling the operation. A first sensor determines the dimensions of a case. A second sensor is mounted on the moveable sensor support. The second sensor senses predetermined criteria on a case as the second sensor is moved along a case. The second sensor provides a detection signal to the control unit as to the existence of the predetermined criteria on a case. The detection signal gives a go authorization to the control unit to release a case or a no-go to redirect the case along a secondary travel path.

A method of producing a pack of smoking articles includes providing a pre-assembled pack of smoking articles comprising an inner pack having a flexible sheet in which a group of smoking articles is wrapped or enclosed and a re-closable flap movable between a closed position preventing access to the smoking articles and an open position for accessing the smoking articles, and an outer pack comprising a container which holds and substantially encompasses the inner pack, the outer pack having a lid in a closed position preventing access to the inner pack; creating a space or gap between the lid of the outer pack and the inner pack; and attaching the re-closable flap of the inner pack to the lid of the outer pack via and/or through the space or gap. An apparatus for producing a pack of smoking articles per the above method is also provided.

The invention belongs to the technical field of mechanical equipment and relates to a core of a high-efficiency and high-speed carton sealer, which is suitable for soft or empty cartons and can also prevent tape from being folded and the tape that has been applied from falling off. The use of the core of a high-efficiency and high-speed carton sealer in a packaging production line improves the sealing efficiency, reduces the defective rate of sealing, lowers the requirements on the quality of cartons and significantly improves the economic benefit. For the core, a second first cylinders used to control the tightness of a return spring of a rear arm wheel, so that the spring has different restoring forces at different stages; and a first cylinder is used to control pre-stretched tape, so that the tape has different tensions at different stages, thus achieving the above functions of the core of the carton sealer.

A cardboard box assembly device, that folds four flaps provided at edges of an opening in a cardboard box to surround the opening, is disclosed. The cardboard box assembly device includes a folding unit, a pushing unit, and a drive unit. The folding unit folds each of the four flaps in a prescribed sequence and closes the opening. The pushing unit pushes one of the four flaps, that is folded last, inward into the cardboard box as a locking flap, and overlaps the locking flap onto the other flaps. The drive unit contacts the cardboard box and imparts a prescribed displacement to the cardboard box. Parts that engage with one another are formed between the locking flap and at least one of the other flaps. The drive unit moves the locking flap relative to the other flaps due to the displacement when the pushing unit pushes the locking flap.

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 method of arranging articles can comprise moving a first article and a second article along a respective first lane and second lane toward a respective first output end of the first lane and second output end of the second lane, and guiding the first article from the first output end onto a stacking conveyor. The guiding the first article can comprise engaging the first article with first guide features. The method further can comprise moving the first article on the stacking conveyor past the second output end, and forming a stack by guiding the second article from the second output end onto the first article on the stacking conveyor as the stacking conveyor moves the first article past the second output end. The guiding the second article can comprise engaging the second article with second guide features. The method also can comprise moving the stack on the stacking conveyor.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer including a pneumatically-controlled top-head-actuating assembly configured to vary the speed of the top-head assembly when ascending (to make room for the case beneath the top-head assembly) and when descending onto the case (to engage the top surface of the case during sealing). The case sealer includes a pressure sensor that monitors the pressure of gas incoming from a gas source delivered to the top-head-actuating assembly via one or more valves. A controller controls the open level and/or the open time of the valves based on the pressure of the incoming gas to ensure the top-head-actuating assembly operates as desired regardless of whether the pressure of the incoming gas is equal to, below, or above a desired pressure. These features result in increased throughput compared to prior art random case sealers without requiring stronger cases or more protective dunnage.

A box-making apparatus includes an electronic controller assesses abnormalities in the affixing of tape on the basis of a timing at which a cardboard box passes a detection position Pd, and a timing at which a tape roll starts or stops an action of unreeling the tape. The electronic controller assesses abnormalities in the affixing of tape also when there is a discrepancy of at least a predetermined amount between the timing at which the cardboard box passes the detection position and the timing at which the tape roll starts or stops the action of unreeling the tape.

A foldable container and method of storing adhesive in which a single strip of adhesive material is attached to a single release liner featured on a side surface or a flap of the foldable container. The strips of adhesive material can be peeled off a surface of the container and applied to and used to seal the top and bottom surfaces of the container as needed. The container features one or more release liner(s) each with a single strip of adhesive material attached only to the release liner and not a surface of the container itself.

A method of applying a tape to an article. The method includes contacting a first activatable adhesive composition of an adhesive tape with a placement device. The adhesive tape has a carrier substrate, the first activatable adhesive composition disposed on a first surface of the carrier substrate, and a second activatable adhesive composition disposed on a second surface of the carrier substrate. The method includes activating the first activatable adhesive composition such that the adhesive tape adheres to the placement device through the first activatable adhesive composition, separating the adhesive tape from a tape delivery system, activating the second activatable adhesive composition, contacting an article with the second activatable adhesive composition, and separating the placement device from the adhesive tape such that the adhesive tape remains adhered to the article.