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.

An apparatus forms boxes with curved corners from a die-cut sheet. A forming matrix delimits a forming cavity by guides counterposed in pairs along two orthogonal axes. The guides define a die-cut sheet support plane. A forming head inserts inside the cavity to push the die-cut sheet to form a box. Vacuum gripping devices are arranged outside the cavity in opposite positions along the second axis and each grip from underneath the die-cut sheet to hold it on the support. Pusher devices are arranged outside and near one of the corners of the cavity. Each pusher device raises one side flap of the die-cut sheet from the support plane. An electronic control unit operates the main gripping devices, pusher devices and forming head according to the following sequence: actuating the gripping devices; actuating the pushers; deactivating the gripping devices; and inserting the forming head in the forming cavity.

A method of using a box can include obtaining the box, the box comprising a box top and a box bottom, the box top comprising a first main panel and a first end panel, at least one of the first main panel and the first end panel defining a locking tab separable from the box top; the box bottom comprising a second main panel and a second end panel, the second end panel defining a locking opening, a lateral width of the locking tab at an ear thereof being greater than-and at a neck thereof being less than-a lateral width of the locking opening; inserting the locking tab into a gap defined at least in part by the second end panel, thereby hiding a portion of the locking tab behind the second end panel; and engaging the locking tab with the locking opening.

A box can include a box top including a first panel and a locking tab separably joined to the first panel, the locking tab comprising first and second tab subpanels; and a box bottom including a second panel defining a locking opening, a lateral width of the locking tab at an ear thereof being greater than-and at a neck thereof being less than-a lateral width of the locking opening, the locking opening sized to receive and capture the locking tab, the locking tab configured to engage an edge of the locking opening and thereby configured to prevent movement of the locking tab with respect to the locking opening in an opening direction of the locking tab; wherein engaged portions of the locking tab and the locking opening are hidden to an observer outside of the box when the box is in an assembled position.

The present invention provides a shaping tool for shaping a package formed of a foldable blank, the tool comprising: —an overhead conveyor comprising a plurality of downwardly protruding spaced apart counter-means; —a first conveyor extending between a receiving end towards an output end, and adapted to receive the foldable blank from an incoming conveying line at the receiving end and to position the foldable blank below one of the downwardly protruding counter-means; —a shaping station extending away from the receiving end, the shaping station comprising: a pair of parallel shaping tracks, each positioned on one side of the first conveyor, the pair of generally parallel shaping tracks comprising a plurality of pairs of independently movable shaping lugs, each pair of shaping lugs having a predetermined shape and adapted to receive one of the foldable blanks there-between; the pair of lugs movable towards each other to form a package having a desired shape.

A carton. The carton may include a floor panel; a plurality of side panels extending about a periphery of the floor panel, a front tab formed at an upper edge of a front side panel, upper side flaps extending from upper edges of a first end side panel and a second end side panel, and wherein each flap includes a side receiving slot; foldable corner gussets extending between adjacent side panels, wherein the floor panel, side panels, and foldable corner gussets are configurable to form a compartment region; a hingeable lid, including: a lid panel, a front edge flap, a side tab formed on each opposing side edge of the lid panel, and a front receiving slot formed in the front edge flap, wherein the lid panel is configured to cover the compartment region when in a closed position; and wherein the front tab of the front side panel is configured such that when the hingeable lid is in the closed position, the front tab aligns with the front receiving slot and is receivable therein and each side tab aligns with its respective side receiving slot and are receivable therein.

A method and apparatus are shown for securing a top for a cardboard carton where the carton has a bottom wall and integral sidewalls, an initially open interior and initially open top flaps with outwardly extending ears. The top flaps are folded to a carton closing position which closes off the initially open interior of the cardboard carton. The ears are also folded to a position in contact with the sidewalls of the carton. A set of punches are aligned with the folded ears of the carton and are actuated to force a first layer of cardboard from a respective top flap through an underlying region of the carton sidewall. A set of platens are located so as to underlie and reinforce the sidewalls of the carton as the punching operation takes place.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels, the plurality of panels includes at least one central panel and at least one attachment panel for receiving a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers. The at least one central panel is for being positioned between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers, and the at least one attachment panel is foldably connected to the at least one central panel. At least one divider flap is foldably connected to the at least one central panel. The at least one attachment panel is positionable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the at least one attachment panel overlies and receives a portion of one or more of the containers. In the second position the at least one attachment panel is folded relative to the at least one central panel and in an upright position to form a handle for carrying the carrier.

A locking device for a box includes a first panel defining a locking tab separable from the first panel and comprising a first tab subpanel and a second tab subpanel; the first tab subpanel extending from the first panel and the second tab subpanel extending from the first tab subpanel, the second tab subpanel including a neck and an ear, the ear extending from the neck in a lateral direction of the locking tab; and a second panel defining a locking opening, the locking opening sized to receive and capture the locking tab, the locking tab configured to engage an edge of the locking opening and thereby configured to prevent movement of the locking tab with respect to the locking opening in an opening direction of the locking device.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels, the plurality of panels includes at least one central panel and at least one attachment panel for receiving a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers. The at least one central panel is for being positioned between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers, and the at least one attachment panel is foldably connected to the at least one central panel. The at least one attachment panel is positionable between a first position, in which the at least one attachment panel overlies and receives a portion of one or more of the containers, and a second position, in which the at least one attachment panel is folded relative to the at least one central panel and in an upright position to form a handle for carrying the carrier.