A unit for applying opening devices to a web of packaging material at predetermined areas of the web arranged at a non-zero distance from one another along the web; the unit comprises a feeding group configured for feeding the web along an advancing path; at least one first tool, arranged at a first desired position along the path and configured to apply a first opening device to a corresponding first predetermined area arranged at the first desired position; and at least one second tool, arranged at a second desired position along the path and configured to apply a second opening device to a corresponding second predetermined area arranged at the second desired position; and a buffer portion arranged along the path, downstream of the second tool and upstream of the first tool, and configured to include and/or accumulate a web portion having a number of predetermined areas which is an integer multiple of the number of tools of the unit.

A method and a box template production system comprising a converting part which is configured for converting a fanfolded sheet material into box templates, wherein said converting is accomplished to the sheet material when a feed direction of the sheet material through the converting part of the system is along an axis having an angle towards a plane of a floor onto which the system stands, wherein said angle is between 20 and 90 degrees.

A method and a box template production system comprising a converting part which is configured for converting a fanfolded sheet material into box templates, wherein said converting is accomplished to the sheet material when a feed direction of the sheet material through the converting part of the system is along an axis having an angle towards a plane of a floor onto which the system stands, wherein said angle is between 20 and 90 degrees.

A unit for carrying out operations on first and second areas of packaging material which are spaced a first distance along direction when a portion of packaging material comprising first and second areas is flat; unit comprising: a feeding group feeding a packaging material web along a direction and in a first sense; a first tool to carry out first operation on first area arranged in a first desired position; a second tool to carry out second operation on second area arranged in a second desired position; first and second tool spaced for a second distance along direction; feeding group comprises: advancing device controllable to arrest web in a position, at which second area is spaced an intentional offset from second desired position; and an actuator controllable for moving second area towards second desired position to recover offset; absolute value of difference between first and distances being equal to offset.

Apparatus and methods for manufacture of customisable disposable tableware, such as paper plates, is provided. A digital printer is arranged to receive a feed of sheet material for printing and a cutter is arranged receive the sheet material exiting the printer. The cutter cuts the profile of discrete articles of tableware from the sheet material and a press is arranged to receive the discrete articles of tableware exiting the cutter. The press presses the articles of tableware to impart a three-dimensional shape to the articles. The printer, cutter and press may be provided as part of a continuous, in-line system. The printer may receive graphics to be printed from a server, for example to allow printing of small batch orders of bespoke paper plates in an efficient manner.